- For the first time, Damietta University hosted a meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, chaired by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

- The Minister of Higher Education thanked the Damietta University family.

- The university president welcomed the Minister of Higher Education and members of the Supreme Council of Universities to Damietta University.

- The Minister of Higher Education honored Engineer Ali El-Ghaly and Professor Mohamed El-Ghaly for donating the El-Ghaly Hospital building to Damietta University.

Damietta University, headed by Professor Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, hosted, this morning, Saturday, June 28, 2025, for the first time in its history, a meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, headed by Professor Dr. Mohamad Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and attended by Professor Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and the Council members. The Council thanked Damietta University, headed by Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie, President of the University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities. Professor Dr.  Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, welcomed the Minister of Higher Education and members of the Supreme Council of Universities, expressing his pleasure at Damietta University hosting this important national event for the first time. He emphasized that the convening of the Council at the University reflects the growing confidence in its position and its active role in developing the higher education system, and is a strong incentive to continue developing the academic system and infrastructure. The Minister of Higher Education confirmed that Cairo University's main coordination office is ready to commence operations, as are computer labs at public universities. This will help students apply to the online coordination website for admission to public universities and institutes, with qualified counselors available to assist students throughout the coordination period. The Minister also directed the completion of required maintenance work on university laboratories and facilities before the start of the new 2025/2026 academic year to ensure the quality of the educational process. Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour emphasized the need for universities to continue implementing sports, arts, cultural, and social activities, and to support talented athletes and artists during the summer vacation. This will help harness the energy of young people and foster a sense of belonging and loyalty among them. The Minister stressed the need for universities to continue to foster a sense of belonging among students and to develop plans to intensify student awareness campaigns to combat deviant ideas. The Minister commended the achievements made in international university rankings, including the inclusion of 20 Egyptian universities in the general version of the QS World University Rankings 2025, the inclusion of 27 Egyptian universities among the best global universities for 2025-2026 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, and the inclusion of 51 Egyptian universities in the Times Higher Education rankings for the impact of universities on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in its 2025 edition. The Council heard a report on the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's most notable activities during June, including Dr. Ayman Ashour's attendance at the memorial lecture by Dr. Juro Matsut, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, in the Grand Celebration Hall at Cairo University. Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour, on behalf of Professor Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, attended the opening of the third International Conference on Climate and Environment, sponsored by the Council of Ministers and the League of Arab States. The conference aimed to raise public awareness of climate and environmental issues, highlight initiatives and projects that achieve sustainable development goals, and launch new environmental and community initiatives. The Minister also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Faculty of Arts at Benha University and the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Drug Abuse, to launch the first specialized bachelor's degree in the Middle East on "Psychology of Addiction and Therapeutic Methods" at Benha University, and to give priority to bachelor's degree graduates to join the work at the Fund's Azima Centers. The Minister also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Leadership Preparation Institute and the Anti-Addiction Fund. Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour held a meeting with members of the Higher Committee for the Selection of Deans of Private Higher Institutes, as part of the Ministry's policy to develop higher institutes and improve the quality of the educational process. As part of his field tours, Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour inaugurated a number of educational and health projects at Benha University, including the development of the Surgical Hospital and the development of the General Administration of Education and Student Affairs. The foundation stone was also laid for the project to construct a lecture hall building on the land of Benha University in Kafr Saad, in addition to laying the foundation stone for the project to construct a building for the Faculties of Applied Arts and Specific Education at a total cost of: Two billion and 350 million Egyptian pounds, in addition to inspecting the Egypt Digital Creativity Center (Creativa) at the university. Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour also visited the Arab Center for Research and Development in Banha, affiliated with the Al Arabi Group, which aims to manufacture and localize home appliance and electronics technology. The Minister also directed the possibility of studying a proposed study program at Banha Technological University in partnership with the Al Arabi Group, in response to labor market needs. The Minister inspected the French University's site to monitor the progress of construction work at the university's new campus in Shorouk City. The Minister listened to a detailed explanation of the implementation rates of ongoing construction across all university buildings and was briefed on the progress of construction work on the university buildings. The Minister also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Faculty of Arts at Benha University and the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Drug Abuse, to launch the first specialized bachelor's degree in the Middle East in "Psychology of Addiction and Therapeutic Methods" at Benha University. Priority was given to bachelor's degree graduates to join the Fund's Azima Centers. The Minister also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Leadership Development Institute and the Anti-Addiction Fund to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and addiction. The Minister held a meeting with the presidents of the 12 public universities that have spawned private universities, which have yet to begin their studies. The meeting discussed the cooperation protocols to be signed between the public universities and the private universities that spawned them, with the aim of enhancing integration between the two sides in various academic and administrative aspects to ensure the provision of distinguished and advanced educational services, the Minister also directed the need to follow up on the completion of preparations at new private universities for the commencement of studies during the new academic year. Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour laid the foundation stone for the Oncology Treatment Center at Fayoum University. The Minister listened to a detailed presentation about the Oncology Treatment Center, affiliated with Fayoum University Hospitals, which is the first government medical facility specializing in oncology treatment in Fayoum Governorate. Dr. Ayman Ashour also inspected the headquarters of Fayoum Private University to ensure the university's readiness to begin classes starting with the 2025/2026 academic year. Professor Dr. Adel Abd Al Ghaffar, the Ministry's media advisor and official spokesperson, stated that the Council approved opening registration for diploma and technical institute exams for students who have obtained a diploma from technical secondary schools (three-year system), technical secondary schools (five-year system), and technical institutes (two-year system after high school). for admission to the faculties of (Commerce - Engineering - Law - Agriculture - Computers and Information) at public universities for the academic year 2025/2026, starting from 8/1/2025, according to the exam schedules announced on the website of the Supreme Council of Universities for the concerned faculties through the following link: https://scu.eg/, provided that the application window closes five days before the exams. The official spokesman added that the Council approved the minutes of the meeting held by Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, with the secretaries of the councils of public, private, civil and technological universities, to discuss what was stated in the letter of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund for Honoring Martyrs, Victims, Missing Persons and Injured in Military, Terrorist and Security Operations and Their Families. In implementation of the directives of the President of the Republic, to determine the method and mechanisms for exemption from various tuition fees, at public, private, national and technological universities, for the children of martyrs, victims, missing persons and the injured in war, terrorist and security operations and their families, the meeting concluded with (100% exemption for the children of martyrs and those with total disability in all public, private, national and technological universities, and private and public higher institutes, as well as course registration fees for programs with fees at public universities. The meeting also concluded with a 50% exemption for children of those with partial disability, at all public, private, national and technological universities, and private and public higher institutes, as well as course registration fees for programs with fees at public universities. The university shall undertake to pay the prescribed fees to the funds for the children of martyrs and those with total or partial disabilities registered with it. Students shall be exempted from all services and activities, in accordance with the specifications set by the council of each university, provided that the student enjoys the exemption by virtue of an official letter from the Fund for Martyrs, Victims, Missing Persons, and Injured in War, Terrorist, and Security Operations and their Families. The Council also approved the formation of the Higher Coordination Committee for the academic year 2025/2026. The Council also approved the issuance of a coordination stamp for the Faculty of Education, Primary Education (Basic) at Luxor University for the academic year 2025/2026. The Council also approved the issuance of a coordination stamp for the Faculty of Applied Arts at Damanhour University (Nubaria) for the academic year 2025/2026. The Council followed up on the efforts of the committee formed to implement the measures taken by the Ministry of Higher Education to promote Egyptian universities across various official platforms, by producing diverse digital content that addresses target audiences at home and abroad. The Council also followed up on the efforts of the committee formed to prepare a comprehensive study on the internationalization of higher education and scientific research, supporting the country's efforts to achieve global leadership, and establishing effective international partnerships to support cross-border education and competitive scientific research. The Council reviewed a report on the Egyptian Student Participation Survey until June 2025, and presented data on university participation rates. The Council also reviewed a report on the activities of the second edition of the Future of Heritage Conference, held under the title: "The Future of Heritage: Between Visions and Challenges." On the sidelines of the council meeting, Professor Dr. Jacqueline Benat, Acting FAO Representative in Egypt, honored a number of ministry and university leaders in recognition of their efforts in supporting youth innovation and capacity building in agriculture. This recognition comes as part of the ministry's collaboration with the FAO to organize FAO simulations at Egyptian universities. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research honored Engineer Ali El-Ghaly and Professor Mohamed El-Ghaly for donating the land and building of El-Ghaly Hospital to Damietta University. They also donated furniture for the girls' university campus and renovated the sidewalks. The Minister expressed his appreciation for these donations, which aim to serve the community and the people of the governorate.