In line with a new strategy aimed at expanding the international reach of Egyptian higher education institutions and strengthening educational cooperation with African nations, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities has officially approved the establishment of a branch of Cairo University in Eritrea. This historic decision is expected to elevate bilateral relations between Egypt and Eritrea to a new level.
This agreement and partnership were announced during a regular meeting of the council, chaired by Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Leaders of prominent Egyptian universities and council members actively participated in the meeting, both in person and via video conference.
During the meeting, Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa stated that strategic efforts to internationalize Egyptian universities and export higher education services abroad must be accelerated. The new Cairo University branch in Eritrea is part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to enhance its educational and cultural influence in the Horn of Africa and across the wider African continent.
The minister directed the establishment of a special committee composed of academic experts to closely monitor and oversee the effective implementation of this grand plan. This branch will have a major positive impact on Eritrea’s educational sector, as it will enable Eritrean students to access high-quality, internationally competitive higher education opportunities directly within their own country.
Moving beyond educational diplomacy, the Supreme Council of Universities also passed new resolutions aimed at modernizing the administrative systems within Egypt’s higher education institutions. The council decided to implement a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed to advance digital transformation and administrative automation across universities nationwide.
The council gave its full approval to form an executive committee to oversee this modern technological transition, headed by Ahmed Darwish, former Minister of Administrative Development and a professor of engineering at Cairo University.
Furthermore, Minister Konsowa issued strict directives for the regular update and modernization of academic programs offered across public, private, national, and technological universities, as well as higher institutes. This reform is being implemented to ensure that university graduates can practically apply the knowledge they acquire during their studies and remain highly sought after in local, regional, and international labor markets.
The primary focus is on improving graduates’ professional skills and overall employability, which plays a vital role in ensuring educational quality. The new branch of Cairo University in Eritrea is expected to launch with these modern, market-aligned academic programs, thereby supporting regional human resource development.
