Under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated on Wednesday 26/10/2022 the activities of the Sixth Francophone Ministerial Conference in Egypt, which is hosted by the Ministry and organized by the University Agency for Francophonie within the framework of the second edition of the International Week of Scientific Francophonie, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, during the period From 25 to 28 October, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic.

The conference witnessed the participation of about 24 ministers from different countries of the world to exchange ideas, visions and proposals to reach the final image on the “Manifesto for Francophone Scientific Diplomacy”, the idea of ​​which was launched during the Fifth Ministerial Conference held in Bucharest, Romania in September 2021.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivered a speech at the inauguration of the 2nd Edition of the Scientific Francophonie Week

For his part Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirmed that the week’s activities include organizing workshops in various fields, including a workshop on the scientific activity of the Francophonie in Egypt, another on international meetings, and a workshop on “The Conference of the Deans of the Francophonie”, as well as a workshop on “Scientific exploration of the Francophone in meetings”, in addition to holding a meeting with a number of university youth from the participating countries (the Francophone Youth Club), which is the first of its kind.

The minister added that holding the activities of the Francophonie Week, and recently Egypt joined the agency’s board of directors and allocated an office for the agency at Cairo University, coincides with the completion of the construction work of the House of Egypt in the university city in Paris, which effectively contributes to the dispatch of Egyptian scholars to French universities, by providing housing for Egyptian students studying in the capital, Paris, for their residence and sponsorship throughout the duration of the missions, as well as to enhance cooperation and support cultural, civilizational, and educational activity between the two countries.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, media advisor and official spokesman for the ministry, said that the activities of the second edition of the World Scientific Week of Francophonie, which is organized by the Francophone University Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, is held during the period from 25 to 28 October, with the participation of a number of ministers, experts, university deans, leaders of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a group of public figures.

Dr. Ashraf Al-Azzazi, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, pointed out that the Francophone University Agency (AUF) was established in 1961, and is one of the first university organizations in the world, with 1000 member institutions from 118 countries, noting that its mission is to promote and support the emergence of new skills for the comprehensive economic development of societies

He added that this week is the second of its kind, and the first week was previously held during September 2021 in Bucharest, and the agency’s vision and strategic plan from 2021 to 2025 is to develop diplomacy and expanding its base by supporting and strengthening relations between the ministers of higher education in the member states, as well as spreading the concept of scientific la Francophonie and providing the necessary tools to activate it.

Ahmed Al-Sheikh, Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research stressed the regularity of the procedures for receiving delegations and guests participating in the activities of the Sixth Francophone Ministerial Conference in Egypt, pointing to the efforts made by the committee formed by the Ministry of Higher Education to receive the participants in the conference activities.

He explained that the committee is holding meetings round-the-clock patrol to follow up all the procedures for housing and receiving the delegations participating in the conference, and to overcome all the difficulties they face.

Activities

27-10-2022

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met, on Thursday 27/10/2022, the Rector of the Francophone University Agency (AUF) Mr. Slim Khalbous, in the presence of Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Ayman Ashour.

During the meeting, President El-Sisi praised the efforts of the Francophone University Agency, stressing his keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Francophonie’s organs to help meet the aspirations of the peoples of the organization’s member states.

His Excellency added that this will be achieved through cooperation to enhance university training and scientific research and help improve the skills of calibers and future generations, emphasizing that Egypt attaches great importance to education promotion, considering it a primary means that helps the state face challenges and achieve goals and objectives.

For his part, the Rector stated that he was honored to meet President El-Sisi, expressing his thanks for Egypt’s historical support for the Francophonie. He also stressed AUF’S keenness to expand joint projects and promote convergence with Egypt. Being a strategic partner to the agency, it was noted that Egypt’s regional role is crucial to the political, economic and social aspects in the region.

The meeting also discussed cooperation between Egypt and the agency, mainly with regard to Senghor University for African Development in Alexandria, which is one of the most important educational and cultural bodies that are affiliated to the agency.

In this regard, there was an agreement to promote cooperation between both sides to establish centers supporting scientific innovation in Egypt to serve the African continent and provide African calibers with the skills they need to promote sustainable development strategies for the continent's countries.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour witnessed, on Thursday 27/10/2022, the signing of the first manifesto on the Francophonie scientific diplomacy which aims at enhancing cooperation among Francophonie states and organizing future relations among universities.
The signing ceremony was held with the participation of 32 ministers concerned with higher education and scientific research from the Francophone University Agency (AUF) within the framework of the second edition of the International Week of Scientific Francophonie, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, during the period From 25 to 28 October, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Ashour asserted keenness on boosting cooperation with strategic international partners who play a prominent role in supporting higher education in Egypt including the AUF, which is a key supporter of education, research and culture domains in Egypt.

He underlined the importance of the manifesto on Francophonie scientific diplomacy to organize future relations among various universities.

The concerned ministers have unanimously approved the idea of a statement on scientific diplomacy and it has been fully ratified by the participants in the Sixth Francophone Ministerial Conference in Egypt whether in person or remotely.

For his part, the Rector of the Francophone University Agency (AUF) Mr. Slim Khalbous said the manifesto would contribute to enhancing cooperation regarding policies and scientific research among various states and continents along with floating proposals for decision makers to depend more on researchers.

Also, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Higher Education Ministry Ashraf el Azzazi pointed out that AUF was established in 1961, and is one of the first university organizations in the world, with 1,000 member institutions from 118 countries, noting that its mission is to promote and support the emergence of new skills for the comprehensive economic development of societies

He added that this week is the second of its kind, and the first week was previously held during September 2021 in Bucharest, and the agency’s vision and strategic plan from 2021 to 2025 is to develop diplomacy and expand its base by supporting and strengthening relations among the ministers of higher education in the member states, as well as spread the concept of scientific la Francophonie and provide the necessary tools to activate it.