Egypt and the UK on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aiming to develop the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and scientific Research and the University of Liverpool.
Egyptian Prime Minster Moustafa Madbouly and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with a high-level delegation of 11 UK universities that is visiting Egypt from 24-27 June to “explore higher education and research collaboration.”
The delegation discussed how UK universities can support the Egyptian government’s aims under its national strategy (Egypt’s Vision 2030) and potential partnerships between the two countries.
The MoU aims at “developing the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the university of Liverpool through joint research and innovation activities, the exchange and training of academic staff and students, as well as educational capacity-building initiatives,” read a joint statement.
“UK and Egyptian universities have been working together for many years. It’s extremely important that we expand access to the highest quality of education to Egypt’s large youth population,” said Vivienne Stern, director of Universities UK International.
In January, Abdel Ghaffar and UK Universities and Science Minister Sam Gyimah singed a bilateral government agreement which will offer UK universities the opportunity to expand their educational offers in Egypt.
Egypt is currently the fifth largest host country worldwide of UK transnational education, with over 19,800 students enrolled in UK programmes.
Meanwhile, the University of Liverpool was the first to establish the study of Egyptian archaeology with the appointment of John Garstang in 1902. It remains the largest centre for Egyptology research in the UK and now focuses on preservation and access to important cultural heritage assets.
