Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, has announced an investment of EGP 10bn to upgrade the digital infrastructure of public universities. A major component of this initiative is the launch of Egypt’s first generative AI integration pilot at Ain Shams University, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. This pilot aims to enhance students’ market-relevant skills by incorporating AI tools into course curricula, with plans for expanding the initiative to additional academic disciplines across Egyptian universities.
Minister Ashour highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology to transform education, improve content delivery, and boost student engagement. Central to these efforts is the “Digital Transformation and Future Vision” initiative, which is part of the Ministry’s broader 2024 strategy. This strategy aligns with the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research and focuses on seven key principles: integration, interdisciplinary collaboration, connectivity, active participation, sustainability, international benchmarking, and fostering leadership and innovation. The ultimate goal is to create a robust digital foundation, equip graduates with future-ready skills, and modernize educational institutions.
2024 has been a pivotal year for digital transformation in higher education, with the Ministry playing a key role in the Cairo ICT 2024 Exhibition and Conference for the Middle East and Africa. The Ministry has focused on embedding artificial intelligence and digital tools into the higher education ecosystem, supporting initiatives such as smart campuses, electronic exams, digital platforms, and updated learning management systems.
A joint study by UNESCO and UNICEF praised the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), a national digital learning platform, for its contributions to lifelong learning and innovation. The EKB has become a comprehensive educational resource, offering extensive content for learners, educators, and institutions, along with capacity-building programs to maximize its use. It has been recognized as a cornerstone of Egypt’s knowledge-driven society, expanding access to education and fostering innovation.
Another significant milestone was the digitization of university aptitude tests, introduced through the e-Government system. The Supreme Council of Universities launched an enhanced admissions platform, allowing high school graduates to register and pay test fees online, ensuring convenience, security, and confidentiality.
Sherif Keshk, Assistant Minister for Smart Governance, detailed efforts to integrate advanced technologies into academic and administrative functions. Over 800 faculty members have received training in cloud computing, data analytics, and AI, while 70 IT staff from various universities have undergone advanced cloud training. A new cohort of faculty training programs, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), is underway, and 500 administrative staff have completed the first phase of a digital safety initiative in collaboration with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and regional tech firms.
To prepare students for emerging job markets, particularly in AI and data science, the Ministry has organized workshops with leading tech companies. These sessions equip students with skills required to excel in the future workforce. Keshk stressed the importance of utilizing technologies like AI and cloud computing to modernize educational processes, enhance infrastructure, and prepare a generation of innovators aligned with global trends and Egypt’s Vision 2030 development goals.
Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson, reaffirmed that digital transformation is a cornerstone of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. The significant progress made in 2024 highlights the Ministry’s dedication to achieving full digital integration, with expectations that these advancements will strengthen the global competitiveness of Egypt’s higher education and research institutions.