Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdel Aziz Kanswa, met with Miyazaki Katsura, First Deputy Executive Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to discuss the implementation of a new phase of the Egyptian-Japanese Partnership for Education (EJEP). The partnership, launched in February 2016, aims to support Egypt's education and human resources development through Japanese expertise. The current phase is set to continue until 2031.
The meeting, held at the Egyptian Embassy in Tokyo, was attended by Egyptian Ambassador to Japan, Raji Al-Atriby, and several other officials. The two sides discussed ways to maximize the impact of the partnership, with a focus on sustainability and concrete results. Dr. Kanswa emphasized Egypt's commitment to continuing close cooperation with Japan and ensuring the partnership's long-term impact.
The partnership will focus on several key areas, including the expansion of the Tokatsu model, which will be implemented in eight universities with 320 students. The EJ-KOSEN program will also be expanded, and scholarships will be provided for Egyptian students and researchers to study in Japan. The Egyptian-Japanese University for Science and Technology will continue to receive support.
The two sides also discussed the importance of establishing a framework to measure the partnership's outcomes, going beyond mere implementation rates to assess the actual impact on students, researchers, and educational institutions. A mid-term review is planned for 2028 to evaluate progress and adjust the partnership's trajectory as needed.
The meeting also touched on the need to ensure the sustainability of joint programs and projects, with a gradual transfer of responsibilities to Egyptian institutions by 2031. The two sides discussed ways to enhance Egypt's capacity to continue implementing programs and benefiting from Japanese expertise after the partnership's current phase ends.
The Egyptian-Japanese partnership will also explore new areas of cooperation beyond 2031, including technological universities, KOSEN models, and scientific research and innovation. The two sides also discussed the importance of supporting the completion of a memorandum of understanding with Toyota Tsusho in the field of technical and technological education.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided support for several programs and projects related to the Egyptian-Japanese partnership, including the Egyptian-Japanese University for Science and Technology and the EJ-KOSEN program. The two sides agreed to continue coordinating their efforts to ensure the partnership's success and impact.
Key points
- Egypt and Japan have agreed to expand their educational partnership, focusing on higher education, human resources development, and scientific research.
- The partnership aims to support Egypt's education and human resources development through Japanese expertise, with a focus on sustainability and concrete results.
- The two sides will explore new areas of cooperation beyond 2031, including technological universities, KOSEN models, and scientific research and innovation.
