Four private non-profit universities to be constructed as per presidential decree: PM

CAIRO – 14 August 2020: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli on Friday said four private non-profit universities, as per a presidential order, in the areas of Alamein city, Suez, New Mansoura and South Sinai cities of El Tor, Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Sedr.

The four universities carry the name of King Salman International University, Alamein International University, New Mansoura University and El Galala University, Madbouli noted.

Madbouli noted that the move comes in light of the political leadership’s belief in the education’s role to advance societies, build states and get ready for the future’s challenges, state’s MENA reported.

From this basis, the state is keen on developing plans to expand in establishing universities, including the private non-profit ones, as per international standards and quality; to achieve a difficult equation that everyone seeks, "the balance between the graduate's skills and knowledge", as well as linking the education process and its outputs to the labor market priorities, the prime minister said.

Madbouli received a report from Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar about the four universities addressed by the presidential decrees, with the minister noting that they are non-profit universities; as the surplus income is re-injected annually into the university budget the following year.

A total of 100 scholarships at newly opened private have been awarded to the top Thanaweya Amma students by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to the presidential spokesperson.

On Wednesday, Sisi allocated the scholarships, which will be financed by the Tahya-Misr Fund.

The designated universities host international branch campuses, most are located in the New Administrative Capital, and have partnerships with prestigious universities abroad in the U.K., France, the U.S. and Canada.

In a yearly major event in Egypt, Thanaweya Amma system is the high schools scheme that allows students to enroll in universities according to their scores.