Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, delivered the closing address at the “QS Higher Education Summit: Middle East 2025.” The summit, hosted by the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait, was organized by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading global provider of services, analytics, and rankings in the higher education sector.
The summit witnessed the participation of Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, representatives from Arab Ministries of Higher Education, the President and representatives of QS International, numerous heads of Egyptian and Arab universities, Dr. Gina El-Feky, Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and General Supervisor of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), Engineer Maged El-Sadek, Acting Head of the National Scientific and Technological Information Network and Secretary-General of the EKB, alongside a distinguished group of international experts and stakeholders in higher education development.
The summit’s discussions centered on the role of universities in shaping and developing “Society 5.0,” a concept that places humanity at the heart of technological transformation. It emphasized learning environments that foster critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility, as well as aligning educational outcomes with the demands of the future labor market.
In his address, Dr. Ashour stressed that the success of higher education and scientific research systems hinges on their ability to respond rapidly and innovatively to global changes. He emphasized that striking a balance between knowledge, technology, and human values is the true challenge for modern universities.
“Universities are no longer traditional educational entities,” Minister Ashour stated, “but have transformed into integrated platforms for creativity, human development, and shaping the future. The Egyptian state has adopted a clear vision based on supporting digital transformation in education, expanding international partnerships, and investing in human capital.”
The Minister also highlighted Egypt’s significant regional role in leading higher education development efforts, saying, “We are committed to continuing our leading role in strengthening Arab academic integration and presenting successful models of cooperation through knowledge platforms such as the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, which has become a regionally emulated experience.”
Dr. Ashour affirmed that the progress of Egyptian universities in global rankings is not an end in itself but rather a reflection of integrated efforts that include improving the quality of education, increasing opportunities for applied scientific research, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within academic institutions.
He pointed out that the 2025 QS World University Rankings featured 19 Egyptian universities across 44 different academic disciplines. Notably, five Egyptian universities entered the ranking for the first time: Suez Canal University, Benha University, Menoufia University, Zagazig University, and Damanhour University.
Furthermore, he noted the advancement of Cairo University in 20 disciplines, Alexandria University in 21 disciplines, and the American University in Cairo in 20 disciplines, reflecting the broadening scope of academic quality within Egyptian higher education institutions.
“Egypt has placed knowledge at the heart of its sustainable development strategy and has worked to link universities with the production and service sectors through building effective bridges of cooperation,” Minister Ashour said.
He added, “We are now keen for our universities to be smart platforms for creativity and community service by integrating sustainability concepts into curricula and developing student projects to provide practical solutions to societal challenges.”
Minister Ashour emphasized that “the Egyptian Knowledge Bank is no longer just a gateway to digital resources but has become a regional model that enhances knowledge inclusion, serves the scientific research system, and contributes to preparing generations capable of global competition.”
The Minister also highlighted the partnership with Elsevier to establish an Arab ranking for research centers, stating, “Egypt launched the first Arab ranking for research centers in partnership with Elsevier, providing our research institutions with a clear position in the regional and international research landscape.”
It is worth noting that Dr. Ayman Ashour is also scheduled to participate in the 57th General Conference of the Association of Arab Universities, which will be held at the International University for Science and Technology in Kuwait on April 23rd and 24th, under the theme: “Arab Higher Education in Light of Digital Transformation and the Promotion of Regional Integration.”
During the conference, the Minister will deliver an opening speech on the “Egyptian-International Knowledge Bank” and participate in a dialogue session on the regional expansion of its applications, with the participation of representatives from over 250 Arab universities. This participation underscores Egypt’s commitment to supporting Arab academic integration and exchanging expertise in the fields of education and scientific research.
