Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour said his ministry is keen on fostering joint cooperation and fruitful partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in higher education and scientific research.
Ashour made the comments during his meeting with Sean Jones, the new Mission Director for the USAID in Egypt and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of other officials from the Higher Education Ministry, according to a statement released by the ministry on Friday.
The minister lauded the USAID’s support for the National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, asserting the importance of internationalizing higher education and exchanging experience between Egyptian universities and their American counterparts to achieve the Sustainable Development Strategy of Egypt’s Vision 2030, the statement added.
Ashour stated his ministry launched the Egyptian Initiative for Scholarships and Educational Tourism (EGYAID), which promotes Egypt as the preferred study destination for international students.
The two sides discussed the most important projects funded by the USAID in the areas of higher education and scientific research in Egypt, including the establishment of professional development centers in Egyptian universities that are expected to reach 46 centers in the next phase.
Those centers is aimed at building the professional capabilities of students and graduates and upgrading their skills, in accordance with the needs of the local, regional and international labor markets.
The pair also tackled the USAID Egyptian Pioneers Scholarship Program, which focuses on offering grants to develop the capabilities of human cadres in the public and private sectors.
On his part, Sean Jones said the USAID is keen on cementing cooperation with Egypt in different fields, particularly in the areas of higher education and research, which in turn contributes to attaining the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.
The USAID new director added the agency seeks to enhance partnership with Egyptian universities on training programs, with a view to providing students and graduates with the necessary skills for the labor market.
