Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is prioritizing digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its systems, Minister Ayman Ashour said. The project, funded with 10 billion Egyptian pounds, is in line with the national strategy for higher education and scientific research.
Ashour outlined six main focuses of the project: establishing a smart university campus, conducting electronic tests, implementing electronic platforms and gates, developing infrastructure, building a learning management system and enhancing the university's educational content. The project is funded with 10 billion Egyptian pounds.
The minister highlighted the government's recent focus on strengthening science and technology in universities, particularly computer science, information technology and AI, which is reflected in a significant increase in the number of universities specializing in these fields, reaching 91 across Egyptian universities.
These colleges are spread across different institutions.
- 26 of 27 public universities
- 20 out of 32 private universities
- 15 Computer and Information Institutes in Private Higher Education Institutions
- 10 faculties in universities established under international agreements and branches of foreign universities
Ashour stressed that the expansion supports Egypt's Vision 2030 to transform the country into a regional innovation and technology hub. It also responds to the growing job market demand for graduates in specialized fields that require highly skilled skills, such as software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, information networks and robotics. The growth is seen as a positive step in consolidating Egypt's position in these fields on a regional and international scale.
The higher education sector has seen a surge in student enrollments in computer science, information technology, and AI programs. With a wide variety of institutions, including public, private, international agreements, and private institutions, students can choose the program that best suits their needs and capabilities. Notably, the number of students enrolled in these specializations has reached 104,350, indicating their growing popularity.
Deputy Minister of Smart Governance Sherif Kishk gave examples of how AI is being used. He mentioned a project implemented for wheat cultivation in Fayoum governorate that uses machine learning, classification and field verification to identify strategic crops. In addition, a smart irrigation system was developed to control and reduce water usage in rice cultivation, saving 30-40 percent of water without affecting productivity.
Kischke further detailed funded research projects related to AI, such as the Smart Agriculture Clinic project, which leverages AI applications to diagnose animal diseases.
Adel Abdel Ghaffar, media adviser and official spokesman for the ministry, reiterated that these initiatives are in line with the national strategy and demonstrate the Egyptian government's commitment to supporting science and technology as key drivers of sustainable development and future job market needs. He also acknowledged the growing interest in digital transformation and AI as tools to strengthen Egypt's higher education and scientific research system.
