Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally, President of the University, participated in the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, today, Saturday, February 22, 2024, headed by Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and the Council’s members, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the New Administrative Capital. In implementation of the directives of President Abd Al Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, in cooperation and coordination between the various concerned authorities; To provide all aspects of support to the brothers in Gaza, Dr. Ayman Ashour directed the continuation of providing medical and therapeutic services in university hospitals for the wounded and wounded in the Gaza Strip, after Egypt’s success, in cooperation with regional and international partners, in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The Minister directed the need to focus on transforming the outputs of scientific research into products that contribute to serving the national economy, in addition to paying attention to spreading the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and linking scientific research to development plans and societal needs. Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed that enhancing the role of innovation is a top priority at the current stage, in line with the state’s interest in maximizing the role of universities in developing the economy, providing a stimulating climate for producing knowledge, enhancing scientific research, and increasing cooperation between universities and the industrial and business community, in a way that contributes to supporting the state’s competitiveness regionally and globally and benefiting from scientific research to confront economic challenges and achieve the goals of sustainable development and Egypt’s Vision 2030, stressing the importance of universities benefiting from the outputs of scientific research to produce competitive products that achieve a tangible material impact. To contribute positively to supporting the industrial community and the national economy. Dr. Ayman Ashour praised the diverse and systematic efforts of universities in implementing the presidential initiative “A New Beginning for Human Building,” and the universities’ provision of many diverse services in various geographical regions, as universities launched many development convoys in various parts of the Republic to serve citizens, in order to activate the role of universities in serving society and developing the environment at the level of all governorates. The Minister stressed the need for universities to continue promoting belonging among university students, and to develop plans to intensify awareness campaigns for students to combat unhealthy ideas. Dr. Ayman Ashour also stressed the importance of universities continuing to support and discover talented, brilliant and innovative students, providing them with all necessary support, and receiving and developing their research and innovative ideas, which contributes to transforming their innovative ideas into competitively marketable products, and helping to create marketing opportunities for them. The Council heard a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during the month of February, including the meeting of President Abd Al Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, with Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. To follow up on the position of national projects undertaken by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Including the file of establishing private universities, digital transformation, and mechanization of services, and developments in the implementation of presidential initiatives related to higher education and scientific research, as well as reviewing the efforts made by university hospitals to receive the wounded and injured in Gaza, President Abd Al Fattah El-Sisi,  directed the continuation of providing medical and therapeutic services in university hospitals for the injured and injured in Gaza. As well as reviewing the progress of work in projects to establish private universities across the Republic, in order to accommodate the steady increase in the number of students in higher education institutions, in addition to reviewing the efforts made in the file of digital transformation and the automation of educational and research services, whether in universities or other institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and  mechanisms for enhancing the use of technology in the educational process and using digital means to improve the delivery of educational content and students’ interaction with it, emphasizing the development of facilities and buildings for the higher education system, and applying digitization systems and programs to develop and modernize higher education and all areas of scientific research. Dr. Ayman Ashour chaired an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities. To discuss solutions to the problem of students enrolled in Egyptian universities on grants provided by the United States Agency for International Development, following the decision to suspend all USAID programs worldwide for a period of 90 days. The Council reached the commitment of the universities to all allocations and educational expenses that the American Agency allocated to our students until the end of the second semester, and the Ministry and the universities will remain committed to supporting these students to face any future challenges.