The university president participates in the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities at the Ministry of Higher Education headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

The Supreme Council of Universities approves:

Launching an awareness campaign for university and institute students to rationalize energy consumption in society

The academic calendar for the new academic year 2026/2027

September 19: Start of the new academic year in universities and institutes

January 2: Start of first semester final exams

January 23: Start of the mid-year vacation

February 6: Start of the second semester

May 20: End of the second semester

Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally, President of Damietta University, participated in the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, chaired by Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Professor Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and the council members, at the ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa emphasized activating the role of universities and institutes in rationalizing energy consumption to مواجهة the global energy crisis. This includes several executive measures such as reducing fuel consumption in university transportation, using energy-saving lighting, increasing the use of solar energy units, and implementing organized and efficient use of lighting in lecture halls and classrooms. The minister pointed to the importance of focusing on the outcomes of scientific research that can contribute to providing scientific solutions to economic, social, health, and environmental challenges, while enhancing integration between scientific research, education, and industry, and contributing to supporting national and development projects across various sectors.

The minister also emphasized coordination and integration between university hospitals and Ministry of Health hospitals within the framework of the national healthcare system, stressing support for university hospitals to join the comprehensive health insurance system, as well as their accreditation by the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa directed universities to engage in community participation and actively contribute to achieving sustainable development by supporting and assisting efforts across all governorates nationwide.

The minister praised the inclusion of 21 Egyptian universities in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by subject. The universities were listed in 42 academic disciplines out of a total of 55 disciplines included in the ranking. There was also an increase in the number of universities listed in computer science, mathematics, chemistry, agriculture, and environmental sciences. The minister stressed the need for universities to continue supporting researchers to increase scientific publication in prestigious journals in order to improve the ranking of Egyptian universities in major global classifications.

The council also listened to a report on the أبرز activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during March. At the forefront was a meeting between Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa to review the ministry’s vision and action plan for the coming phase. The vision includes several strategic pillars: strengthening higher education partnerships and establishing foreign university branches داخل Egypt, internationalizing major Egyptian universities and establishing branches abroad, increasing the number of international students, linking scientific research with industry and the knowledge economy, developing national, technological, and private universities, building faculty capacity, and improving academic and administrative performance quality. These pillars aim to enhance the quality of Egyptian education, prepare graduates capable of competing in regional and international labor markets, qualify them for innovation and entrepreneurship, contribute to the knowledge economy, restore the historical status of Egyptian education regionally and internationally, and unify the efforts of universities and institutions under a comprehensive strategic framework.

The report stated that Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa chaired an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities to discuss mechanisms for implementing presidential directives regarding linking university study programs with labor market needs. It was agreed to prepare a comprehensive study mapping the labor market at the local, regional, and international levels in cooperation with various relevant الجهات.

The council also listened to a presentation by Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, media advisor and official spokesperson for the ministry, regarding the launch of an awareness campaign in universities and institutes to activate the role of university youth in rationalizing energy consumption at home. Raising students’ awareness contributes to changing patterns of energy consumption within their families, through their positive influence in conveying awareness messages to their families, social circles, gathering places, and during their various activities, as well as extending the impact of the campaign to broader segments of Egyptian public opinion. Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the media advisor and official spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the council approved the academic calendar for the new academic year 2026/2027, which will begin on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Mid-term exams for the first semester will be held خلال the first three weeks of November, depending on each faculty. The first semester will continue for 15 weeks, ending on Thursday, December 31, 2026. Final exams for the first semester will begin on Saturday, January 2, 2027, and end on Thursday, January 21, 2027.

The mid-year vacation will start on Saturday, January 23, 2027, and end on Thursday, February 4, 2027. The second semester will begin on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Mid-term exams for the second semester will be held starting from the last third of March until the first third of April 2027, depending on each faculty. The semester will continue for 15 weeks, ending on Thursday, May 20, 2027. Final exams for the second semester will be conducted during May and June 2027, according to the nature of study and examinations in each faculty.

The official spokesperson added that the council reviewed the status of universities nominating a number of staff members to attend training and qualification programs for university leadership, aiming to equip them with the experience needed to face various challenges. This is being carried out in cooperation with universities and international institutions that have leading experience in developing and qualifying university leaders.

The council also followed up on the efforts of the committee formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Essam Farhat, President of Minya University, to develop a roadmap for establishing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to automate administrative work in Egyptian universities as a first phase. The committee is also reviewing international university experiences in automation and ERP system implementation to benefit from them, as part of accelerating comprehensive automation and digital transformation of administrative systems within universities.