After approval from the Supreme Council of Universities, the Student Activities Sector announced launching the "Best University for Student Activities" competition for the academic year 2024/2025, under the patronage of Prof. /Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

This competition aims to enhance the role of student activities in shaping university students' personalities and supporting the development of their personal and social skills. It seeks to foster a deep sense of loyalty and belonging among young university students, creating an aware generation capable of facing future challenges and contributing effectively to society.

prof. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, stated that the competition reflects the council's commitment (through its Education and Students Sector) to implementing all principles and objectives of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research 2030. It also ensures the smooth conduct of the educational process as per the outlined plans. He emphasized the importance of student activities in building students' character and strengthening their national identity.

Dr. Karim Hammam, Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education for Student Activities, affirmed that the competition aims to motivate universities to improve and develop student activities by creating an educational environment characterized by creativity and active participation. He pointed out that the competition aligns with the ministry's goals to enhance student participation in community and scientific activities, which helps prepare a generation capable of addressing both global and local challenges.

The "Best University for Student Activities" competition is a distinctive initiative based on a set of core criteria aimed at evaluating student activities in Egyptian universities and enhancing their role in achieving comprehensive development. These criteria include aligning activities with the National Strategy for Higher Education to ensure consistency with national plans, developing financial resources through proposals to support activities, and assessing the role of student training centers in conducting simulations and supporting activities. The competition also evaluates the extent of student participation and their engagement in university and college activities, as well as their involvement in national and international activities. Special attention is given to supporting activities for students with special needs and recognizing universities' efforts in this field, alongside activities that contribute to community service, environmental development, and fostering national loyalty and belonging. Additionally, the competition measures student satisfaction with the provided activities through surveys aimed at gathering their opinions to improve the university experience.

The submission process for documenting student activities involves several steps to ensure comprehensive and innovative documentation. Universities must submit an electronic magazine on a flash drive containing all activities documented with photos and videos. A printed magazine, not exceeding 200 pages, must also be submitted, adhering to a design consistent with each university's visual identity. An online platform has been designated for uploading electronic magazines, related events, and documentary images via the link: https://stusupcouncil.mans.edu.eg.

The competition encourages universities to prepare unconventional documentation materials, including documentaries and videos showcasing various student activities and participation, including those of students with special needs. It emphasizes the importance of universities implementing the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research ("Alliance and Development") by participating in activities that build regional alliances between universities and enhance collaboration and innovation across all fields.

The "Best University for Student Activities" competition presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the role of activities in Egyptian universities and support creating a comprehensive educational environment that contributes to graduating creative students ready to face future challenges.

Higher Education: Launch of the "Together" Competition for University and Institute Students to Produce Short Videos Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Deviant Ideas

             As part of ongoing efforts to combat deviant ideas that contradict the tolerant religious beliefs and the authentic cultural and societal heritage of the Egyptian people, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, under the patronage of Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announces launching a competition under the slogan "Together." The competition aims to produce a short video, no longer than one minute, to help counter-destructive and deviant ideas.

The competition reflects the ministry's significant focus on shaping well-rounded youth, fostering their sense of loyalty and belonging, and shielding them from destructive and deviant ideas, thereby creating a generation capable of building and innovating.

Competition Participation Criteria:

1. Students must produce a single video, no longer than one minute, with a size not exceeding 100 MB.
2. The video must be original (inspired by the students' ideas) and should not contain any clips taken from the internet. Any video found to violate this rule will be disqualified.
3. The film's production team should not exceed five students.
4. The video resolution must be at least (FULL HD).
5. The video must be uploaded to the designated online platform, including the university's name and the names of the team members.

The submitted works must focus on one of the following themes:

• Promoting the culture of tolerance and coexistence.
• Social peace within the community.
• Supporting the values of citizenship.
• Upholding principles of moderation and balance.
• Countering false and extremist ideas.

Submissions can be made through the designated competition platform:
https://forms.gle/raBk6goFRq6QWDxx6

Submission Period:
From Sunday, December 29, 2024, to Saturday, January 25, 2025.

A specialized committee, led by the Leadership Development Institute, will evaluate the competing entries. Winning students will be honored during the upcoming session of the International Book Fair.

    The Supreme Council of Culture invites the councils of institutions eligible to nominate candidates for the State Awards to submit the names of their nominees for the Nile Awards for Egyptian Creators. These awards are granted in the fields of arts, literature, and social sciences, as well as the Nile Award for Arab Creators, awarded to an Arab creator in any of these fields.

Each award is given to a distinguished individual in each field. The prize is EGP 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Egyptian Pounds) and a gold medal.

Key Details:

• The award cannot be split or granted to the same individual more than once in the same field.
• Three Nile Awards for Egyptian Creators are allocated:
  • One award for arts.
  • One award for literature.
  • One award for social sciences.
• One Nile Award for Arab Creators is allocated in one of the following fields: arts, literature, or social sciences.

Deadline:

The final date to submit nominations to the Supreme Council of Culture is December 31, 2024.

For award conditions and application details, click here.

      In line with the directives of Prof./ Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to support researchers and provide all means to enhance the quality of scientific research, the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – the Central Administration of Missions, has announced that the representative office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Cairo has opened applications for the Master’s Program and the Internship Program for the 12th cohort of the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative) for the year 2025. 

The announcement explained that the ABE Initiative provides opportunities for participants from African countries to study at Japanese universities, along with internship opportunities at Japanese companies, aiming to develop human resources in both the private and public sectors across the African continent. 

For more information on the application requirements and available specializations, please refer to the following link: 

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/overseas/cotedivoire/activities/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/07/26/A-3.%20JFY2025%20General%20Information(G.I.)%20of%20ABE%20Initiative_1.pdf

It is worth noting that the Central Administration of Missions will not cover any expenses for these scholarships.

      In line with the directives of Prof./ Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to support researchers and provide all means to enhance the quality of scientific research, the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – the Central Administration of Missions, has announced that the representative office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Cairo has opened applications for the Master’s Program and the Internship Program for the 12th cohort of the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative) for the year 2025. 

The announcement explained that the ABE Initiative provides opportunities for participants from African countries to study at Japanese universities, along with internship opportunities at Japanese companies, aiming to develop human resources in both the private and public sectors across the African continent. 

For more information on the application requirements and available specializations, please refer to the following link: 

https://www.jica.go.jp/english/overseas/cotedivoire/activities/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/07/26/A-3.%20JFY2025%20General%20Information(G.I.)%20of%20ABE%20Initiative_1.pdf

It is worth noting that the Central Administration of Missions will not cover any expenses for these scholarships.

     The Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO has announced the opening of submissions for Natural Sciences Fellowships for 2024.

        prof./ Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairperson of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture (UNESCO - ALECSO - ISESCO), emphasized the importance of the Commission's role in coordinating with state entities involved in education, science, and culture. This coordination aims to maximize the benefits of initiatives, activities, and programs implemented by international, regional, and Arab organizations concerned with education, science, and culture, which is in line with Egypt's Vision 2030.

In this context, in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO has announced the opening of applications for TWAS Fellowships 2024, offered by the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) to advance science. These fellowships are available for PhD and postdoctoral researchers in the field of natural sciences, as follows:

• TWAS-CSIR Fellowships for postgraduate and postdoctoral studies in India.
• TWAS-CNPq Fellowships for postgraduate studies in Brazil.
• TWAS-TÜB?TAK Fellowships for postgraduate and postdoctoral studies in Turkey.
• ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship in China.

For more information on the fellowships and how to apply, please visit the following links:

• Information on PhD Fellowships: https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships/phd
• Information on Postdoctoral Fellowships: https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships/postdoctoral

Applicants must also submit a complete copy of their application documents to the Egyptian National Commission at the following email address:
egypt.natcom@gmail.com

In line with the directives of Prof./  Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to support researchers and provide all means to enhance the quality of scientific research, the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – the Central Administration of Missions, has announced a notification from the Egyptian Cultural Office in Tokyo about a scholarship from the World Bank – Asian Development Bank for a Master's degree in the Economic and Public Policy Program at Tsukuba University, Japan, for the academic year "2025-2026." 

The application period will be from December 2, 2024, to January 17, 2025. 

For more details on application requirements and available specializations, you can refer to the following links:  -

 https://moe.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/26/EconomicandPublicPolicyUnuversityofTsukubaJapan.PD

https://pepp-cepgt.hass.tsukuba.ac.jp/general-admission/

It is worth noting that the Central Administration of Missions will not cover any expenses for these scholarships.

  Higher Education: Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) Announces Opening of Applications for the Egyptian German Cooperation Program (GERF)
Funding of up to €750,000 for the Egyptian side in partnership with industry

prof./ Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized the importance of developing innovative solutions that facilitate technology transfer, enhance industrial competitiveness, support researchers, and build their capabilities.

In this context, the Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) has announced the opening of applications for the Egyptian-German Cooperation Program (GERF). The program aims to strengthen the link between scientific research and industry, supporting Egypt's efforts in technological innovation and fostering strong, long-term partnerships between research institutions and industrial entities.

prof./ Waleed Shatta, CEO of the STDF, highlighted that the cooperation program focuses on two primary areas:

1. One Health Field covers human, animal, and environmental health specialties, including medical and veterinary research, environmental sciences, the food-water-energy nexus, and applied biotechnology.
2. Green Transformation aims to support a circular economy and efficient resource use to combat climate change through the development of smart cities, green mobility, and digital urban development.

The STDF announcement clarified the financial terms for the Egyptian side, which are divided into two phases:

• In the first phase, funding is up to €300,000 if an industrial partner is involved and €150,000 without an industrial partner.
• In the second phase, funding reaches €450,000, with the essential requirement of having an industrial partner.

It should be noted that funding for Egyptian partners, whether industrial or academic, must not exceed 75% of the total budget.

Deadline for proposal submissions: Monday, 16 December 2024.

For more details on the full rules, conditions, and application procedures, please visit the STDF's official website at:
STDF Website

You can also follow the STDF's official Facebook page:
STDF Facebook Page