Government strategy focuses on overseas campuses, academic partnerships and knowledge economy growth
Egypt is stepping up efforts to expand the global footprint of its higher education sector, placing the internationalisation of universities and the establishment of overseas branches at the centre of its national strategy, reports Sada El-Balad, a partner of TV BRICS.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdelaziz Konsowa, said the initiative aims to strengthen Egypt’s regional and international standing in higher education while supporting the transition towards a knowledge-based economy.
According to the minister, leading Egyptian universities will be encouraged to open branches abroad as part of a broader plan to export educational services and build a sustainable academic presence in key international markets.
The move comes amid rising global demand for affordable, high-quality education – an area where Egypt is seeking to position itself competitively. Officials increasingly view education not only as a public service but also as a strategic tool of soft power and international influence.
The strategy also includes expanding joint academic programmes with highly ranked international universities, introducing franchised courses through academic partnerships, and modernising curricula to meet global standards. These steps are intended to facilitate international expansion while ensuring competitiveness and quality, experts claim.
The rollout will take place in phases. The first stage will focus on strengthening Egypt’s presence in existing partner regions, particularly across Africa and the Arab world. Universities are also expected to increase the number of programmes offered in English and French to attract a broader international student base.
In the second phase, attention will shift towards emerging markets, including Central Asia and Southeast Asia, where demand for higher education is growing rapidly. This stage is expected to open new opportunities for academic cooperation and institutional partnerships.
A third phase provides for a more selective entry into targeted markets, focusing on specialised fields such as healthcare education. Existing international experiences of Egyptian universities are expected to serve as models for further expansion.
Officials believe that this model will support sustainable growth, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the long-term viability of Egypt’s international higher education expansion.
African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS
