Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa confirms:
- Exporting Egyptian education contributes to strengthening Egypt’s regional and international standing.
- Expanding joint programs to enhance the global competitiveness of Egyptian education.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized that the Ministry aims to enhance Egypt’s regional and international position in higher education, contributing to the knowledge economy. This will be achieved through the internationalization of major Egyptian universities and the establishment of their branches abroad, reinforcing the reputation of Egyptian education regionally and globally, supporting the country’s efforts to export educational services, and establishing a sustainable educational presence in the region.
The Minister explained that the timing of this initiative responds to several important considerations, foremost among them the growing demand for low-cost, high-quality educational models, which represents a genuine competitive advantage for Egypt. He noted that education is no longer just an academic service but has become an effective tool to strengthen Egypt’s soft power regionally and globally.
He emphasized that the strategic goal of this initiative is to export Egyptian education and consolidate its historical position as a regional and global leader in higher education. To achieve this, a clear system will be established for selecting leading universities, starting with institutions that have advanced international rankings, strong academic reputations, and institutional and human resources capable of supporting international expansion.
This initiative includes internationalizing academic programs at these universities, increasing the number of dual and joint degrees, and adopting a flexible study model that encourages students to spend one or two years at the home campus, thereby strengthening institutional affiliation and improving graduate outcomes.
Dr. Konsowa also noted that the initiative will target countries and regions of strategic importance, selecting geographically optimal locations for foreign branches to maximize academic and cultural impact. This will coincide with expanding joint programs with highly ranked foreign universities, hosting certain programs through franchise agreements in academic partnerships, and updating curricula to facilitate the creation of international branches and ensure their competitiveness.
The Minister outlined a phased regional and international expansion model:
- Phase One: Deepen Egypt’s presence in existing markets, particularly African and Arab countries, while offering programs in English and French to enhance competitiveness and attract a broader student base.
- Phase Two: Expand into emerging markets, particularly in Central and Southeast Asia, focusing on countries with increasing demand for higher education, creating growth opportunities and strengthening academic partnerships.
- Phase Three: Conduct selective entry into targeted markets, focusing on specialized fields, such as health programs, citing the example of Alexandria University’s branch in Greece as a model for replication.
Dr. Konsowa explained that the proposed system includes appointing an Executive Academic Director (Provost) for each branch with clear executive authority, granting the branch organized financial and administrative independence, within a comprehensive governance framework that balances autonomy with accountability. This model is intended to enable each branch to achieve sustainable growth, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure long-term institutional sustainability.
