192 New Academic Programs Approved as Government and Central Bank Forge Landmark Scholarship Agreements
Professor Essam Farahat, President of Minia University, participated in the periodic meeting of the National Universities Council chaired by Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The meeting, held at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, was attended by Dr. Maher Mesbah, Secretary of the National Universities Council, council members, and senior ministry officials.
The meeting emphasized the critical importance of early preparations for the 2025/2026 academic year, particularly for the 12 new national universities scheduled to commence operations this year. Dr. Ashour announced that 192 new academic programs will be launched across these institutions for the upcoming academic year.
The Minister praised the readiness and preparations of the national universities, noting their proven success as a distinguished educational system. He emphasized that all infrastructure requirements, academic facilities, and faculty competencies have been verified through visits by specialized scientific committees and relevant authorities before approving any new programs.
In a significant development, Minister Ashour announced groundbreaking cooperation protocols with the Central Bank of Egypt to provide educational scholarships for outstanding students benefiting from the "Takaful w Karama" social protection program, students who received fee exemptions from the Ministry of Education during 2024/2025, and students affected by the discontinuation of US aid programs. These scholarships will be available starting next academic year.
"This marks the first time such protocols have been signed with the Central Bank to support high-achieving students while monitoring their academic performance," Dr. Ashour stated. "These initiatives represent a valuable addition to the existing scholarship system, enabling outstanding students to continue their university studies through various pathways including private and national universities and foreign university branches."
The Council approved several key measures, including:
Establishing bank accounts for students to facilitate financial transactions and enhance services
Opening military education offices in national universities
Forming a committee to examine appointment mechanisms in university hospitals affiliated with medical colleges
Coordinating admission procedures for STEM school graduates into national universities, considering the unique nature of these exceptional students
These comprehensive preparations ensure that Egypt's national universities are fully equipped to provide quality education while promoting social justice and equal opportunities through expanded financial support and streamlined administrative processes.