Egypt allocates EGP 48 bln to raise 5 universities to TIER1
Egypt will invest 48 billion Egyptian pounds ($943.4 million) over three years to apply a TIER1 model for five public universities, aiming to raise them to the first global group of universities, the Egyptian Cabinet said on Thursday.
The programme will initially cover Cairo, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Mansoura, and Assiut universities, under a cooperation protocol signed by the ministries of Finance, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Planning and Economic Development.
The five universities, Finance Ministry, and Planning and Economic Development Ministry will jointly provide the 48 billion pounds needed for the three-year programme, the Cabinet statement said.
The initiative, implemented under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives, aims to improve the quality of higher education and research, raise the universities’ rankings to TIER1, and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian graduates in local, regional and international labour markets.
The Cabinet said the five universities are expected to undergo major upgrades to their educational systems, including curriculum and infrastructure development, and to make greater use of their academic staff’s expertise.
The programme aims to develop a generation of qualified graduates in line with international standards and to strengthen links between education, scientific research, and the needs of the labour market and knowledge-based economy.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly praised the model, saying it aimed to build Egyptian universities capable of competing regionally and internationally and producing graduates with the skills required by the labour market.
He added that it would also enhance the ability of Egyptian universities to attract international students.
Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa said the TIER1 model was part of the ministry’s strategy to turn Egypt into a regional and international hub for higher education, scientific research, and innovation.
He said the model would also strengthen the role of universities in developing human skills, meeting labour market needs, and supporting the knowledge-based economy.
Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the programme could strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for higher education, scientific research, and innovation, while helping attract researchers, students, and knowledge-economy investment from around the world.
Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom said the ministry supported the initiative as a strategic step towards developing leading Egyptian universities and strengthening the global competitiveness of higher education.
He said it would also support sustainable development and the development of an advanced education and research system.