Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, participated in the regular meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, which was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, at the headquarters of Menoufia University, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the council, and the presidents of universities members of the council.

  Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy explained that the Supreme Council of Universities discussed during its meeting several important topics, including the announcement of the time map for the academic year 2025/2026, the approval of the rules for coordinating admission to universities and institutes, as well as discussing ways to strengthen linking scientific research with development plans and the national economy, activating innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, the meeting also addressed supporting the sustainability of professional development centers, and the implementation of the "Be Ready – one million innovative qualifications" initiative within the national strategy for higher education and scientific research.

  During the meeting, Dr. Ayman Ashour directed to quickly announce the results of the second-semester exams for the academic year 2024/2025, complete the necessary maintenance of laboratories and university facilities, ensure the application of Occupational Health and safety elements before the start of the new year, and also stressed the continuation of the implementation of artistic, cultural and social student activities during the summer holidays, and support talented students in various fields.

  The minister also stressed the importance of transforming scientific research outputs into products that serve the national economy, enhancing the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and linking research with development plans, stressing that universities continue to implement awareness campaigns for students to combat incorrect ideas and strengthen national affiliation.

  The meeting witnessed several important presentations, including Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, on the commercialization of research outputs, training researchers to invest research results in real feasibility studies, and identification of incubators and business accelerators.

  Dr. Sherif Kishk, Assistant Minister for Smart Governance, also made a presentation on the implementation of the "Be Ready – One Million Innovative Qualifications" initiative, one of the tools for implementing the Presidential Initiative "alliance and development", under the umbrella of the national strategy for higher education, which aims to integrate professional development programs into academic schedules, and facilitate the use of digital centers and laboratories in training students, in coordination with the managers of professional development centers within universities.

Dr. Mona Hagras, assistant secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, presented the priorities of the BRICS group and the accession of 22 Egyptian universities to membership of the specialized committees of the University network and reviewed the proposed areas of cooperation in vital disciplines.

  Dr. Adel Abdul Ghaffar, media consultant and official spokesman of the Ministry of higher education and scientific research, stated that the council approved at its meeting the time map for the new academic year 2025/2026, which begins on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and the mid – term exams of the first semester "Mid – Term" are held during the first 3 weeks of November according to each college, and the first semester of study continues for 15 weeks, ending Thursday, January 1, 2026, and the end of the first semester exams begin on Saturday, January 3, 2026, ending Thursday January 22, 2026, the Mid-Year vacation starts from Saturday, January 24, 2026, and ends Thursday, February 5, 2026, and the second semester begins from Saturday, February 7, 2026, and the second semester "mid-term" exams are held during the first 3 weeks of April according to each college, and the study continues for 15 weeks, ending Thursday, May 21, 2026, and the second semester exams are held during the months of May and June 2026, according to the nature of the study and exams at each college.

The official spokesman added that the council adopted the rules for coordinating admission for students holding the Egyptian General secondary certificate and its equivalent (Arabic and foreign certificates), technical certificates, and Azhar secondary certificate for 2025, and applicants for the Coordination of 2025 to enroll in public universities and institutes in the academic year 2025/2026, the same coordination rules in force last year.