Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, participated in the regular meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, which was held at Cairo University on Saturday, March 22, 2025, chaired by Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the council, and members of the council.

Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that the meeting addressed many important files that contribute to the upgrading of the higher education and scientific research system in Egypt, explaining that the council reviewed the mechanisms to support scientific research and innovation, in the implementation of the national policy for sustainable innovation and the Presidential Initiative "alliance and development", where Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of directing scientific research towards developmental and economic challenges, thus contributing to achieve a sustainable scientific and industrial renaissance.

The minister also directed to intensify awareness campaigns for university students on the challenges facing national security, through organizing seminars and hosting national figures in various fields to develop students ' awareness of these issues.

As part of the interest in student activities, the minister stressed the importance of developing students ' artistic and cultural sense and expanding artistic and creative competitions, including the production and presentation of plays, videos, and artworks inside and outside universities.

The council also decided to form a committee of university professors to provide their expertise in the field of drama and media development, in implementation of the directives of the president of the Republic to take advantage of academic competencies in enriching media content.

The minister praised the inclusion of 19 Egyptian universities in the QS World Ranking of University specialties for the year 2025, stressing the importance of supporting researchers and encouraging scientific publication in prestigious international journals, thus enhancing the status of Egyptian universities globally.

The council reviewed a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during March, where Dr. Ayman Ashour chaired the meeting of the Council of Private Universities, and approved the establishment of 12 new private universities, namely: Cairo private university, Kafr el Sheikh private university, Sohag private university, Damanhour private university, Suez private university, Damietta private university, Ain Shams private university, New Valley Private University, Fayoum private university, Tanta private university, Luxor private university and Sadat City private university, within the framework of efforts to expand higher education and provide distinguished educational opportunities. The council also discussed the results of the participation of Egyptian universities in the BRICS Education Group meetings, where 20 Egyptian universities joined the BRICS higher education network to enhance academic cooperation and exchange experiences with international universities.

In a related context, the council approved the reconstitution of the Higher Committee for aptitude tests, to follow up and organize aptitude exams for admission to colleges that require it, and approved the change of the name of South Valley University to Qena University, with the completion of the necessary legal procedures.

The meeting concluded with a group photo of the council members, in celebration of the diamond jubilee of the Supreme Council of universities, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its establishment.