Skopje, 13 November 2025 (MIA) - Egypt, a country whose universities have been steadily climbing global rankings, will provide support to North Macedonia in its efforts to promote higher education, concurred Thursday's meeting in Cairo between Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska, and Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohamed Ayman Ashour, who also agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of science and research.  

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, a working group made of representatives nominated by the relevant ministries of the two countries is to define concrete activities to deepen cooperation, and consider the possibilities for creating joint study programs with double degrees. The focus will be on higher education institutions in the fields of medicine and technical sciences, with a particular emphasis on computer engineering and agriculture.

Minister Janevska presented changes initiated in the area of higher education in the country, pointing out that a new bill is currently being drafted, and the effects of the reform plan are expected in the medium term of five years. She also mentioned the significantly increased budget for science and the financing of an increased number of scientific and research projects of interest to the state and the public, the adoption and implementation of the state's Smart Specialization Strategy, noting that the Ministry has also initiated a procedure on establishing the state's first science and technology park.

Minister Ashour presented the strengths of the Egyptian higher education system and the policies that help state universities steadily climb international rankings. He expressed readiness to form a working body between the two countries this month, and to hold a meeting between the rectors of the six Macedonian state universities and the rectors of the most prominent Egyptian ones, such as Cairo University, next month. He shared the national experience with the establishment of science and technology parks and centres of excellence, which will be of great benefit to the country in achieving the same goal.

Minister Janevska on Wednesday kicked off her visit to Cairo, where the Global Congress on Population, Health and Human Development is taking place. She will participate in several panel discussions, and will be the keynote speaker at a session dedicated to non-formal education as a concept of lifelong learning. On Friday, she will also meet with the Egyptian Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif.

Photo: Ministry of Education and Science