Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, outlined the country’s ambitious plans for enhanced cooperation with BRICS nations in higher education and scientific research at the 11th meeting of BRICS Higher Education Ministers held in Kazan, Russia.
The meeting, attended by Valery Falkov, Minister of Higher Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and Mostafa Refat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, provided a platform for Ashour to emphasize Egypt’s commitment to educational excellence and regional integration.
Ashour underscored the importance of BRICS, originally formed in 2001 as an economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, as a platform for emerging economies to reshape the global financial landscape. He expressed Egypt’s pride in joining this alliance and contributing to a shared future of educational cooperation.
Highlighting Egypt’s unique position as a demographically young nation with a rich history of scientific innovation, Ashour emphasized the country’s eagerness to share its expertise in areas such as ancient civilizations and desert agriculture. He also outlined Egypt’s interest in collaborating with BRICS countries on STEM education, early childhood development, and other critical fields.
The establishment of a BRICS Universities Network was identified as a key initiative to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration. This network would serve as a platform for joint research projects, cultural understanding, and preparing youth for a globalized world.
Ashour also stressed the importance of mutual recognition of academic qualifications among BRICS nations, allowing for greater academic mobility, research collaboration, and professional exchange. He advocated for a comprehensive evaluation system for universities that goes beyond international rankings and considers factors like innovation, social impact, and community engagement.
Egypt’s commitment to leveraging technology for quality and equitable education was another key focus. Ashour expressed interest in collaborating with BRICS countries on digital teacher training, drawing on India’s experience in engineering and China’s expertise in e-learning platforms.
Empowering talented youth through scholarships, research exchange, and mentorship initiatives was also highlighted as a priority. Additionally, Ashour emphasized the need to integrate climate change education into curricula and shared Egypt’s experience in crop cultivation in desert areas and renewable energy research.
Recognizing the importance of technical and vocational education, Ashour noted that Egyptian technical institutes could benefit from Brazil’s experience in vocational training and South Africa’s focus on workforce development.
In conclusion, Ashour proposed expanding cooperation between Egypt and BRICS countries in key areas such as student and researcher exchange, joint academic programs, joint research projects, and knowledge exchange. He also stressed the need to enhance academic infrastructure, support international students, and improve curricula and educational techniques.
