General Administration of Cultural Relations

Overview of the General Administration of Cultural Relations

Higher education and scientific research play a significant role in preparing skilled professionals, specialists, and intellectual leaders. Consequently, the state, through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, places great importance on exchanging expertise with scientifically and technologically advanced countries by providing scholarships, visits, grants, and scientific awards for researchers, academics, and students.

The General Administration of Cultural Relations at the Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Universities is responsible for coordinating between Egyptian universities and international and cultural organizations, as well as international and Arab federations in all activities related to cultural relations. It is a key framework for addressing matters related to the higher education system.

The General Administration of Cultural Relations is composed of:

1. Administration of International Organizations and Conferences

• • Conference and Scientific Seminars Section
  • International Organizations and Bodies Section

2. Administration of International Agreements and Cultural Exchange

• • International Scientific and Cultural Agreements Section
  • Cultural Exchange Section

Mission

The General Administration of Cultural Relations at the Secretariat of the Supreme Council is a cornerstone of the development of higher education and scientific research. It undertakes all measures to implement the plans of the Supreme Council of Universities concerning cultural relations through:

• Providing Opportunities: Facilitating access to academic scholarships, scientific conferences, seminars, training programs, and workshops, both within and outside the Arab Republic of Egypt, to enhance the scientific and practical experience of faculty members, students, and researchers in Egypt.
• Implementing Agreements: Activating the provisions of executive programs related to agreements between Egypt and various countries, ensuring equitable opportunities through Egyptian universities.
• Promoting Scientific and Cultural Openness: Enhancing academic and cultural engagement with universities worldwide, understanding different educational systems, and integrating applicable practices into Egyptian universities to improve and update educational programs.

• Reviewing Agreements: Studying and examining agreements and partnerships with international and local entities to ensure the protection of Egyptian interests, facilitating ongoing international cooperation, scientific and cultural exchange, and enriching scientific activities through research collaboration, academic exchange, conferences, workshops, and training courses.

Cultural Relations Committee:

• Preparing studies and memoranda and organizing the work of the Cultural Relations Committee, which examines bilateral agreements between Egyptian public universities and various foreign universities worldwide. The committee is responsible for approving the minutes of the Cultural Relations Committee meetings from the Supreme Council of Universities and notifying universities of the committee's recommendations, as well as informing the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of State for Scientific Research.

Joint Committees:

• Coordinating and disseminating instructions to Egyptian public universities for implementing the terms of joint committees signed between the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministries of Higher Education of various countries.

Executive Programs:

• Coordinating and disseminating instructions to Egyptian universities for implementing exchange visit programs for faculty members between Egyptian universities and foreign universities, as part of certain executive programs signed between the Arab Republic of Egypt and countries around the world.

Scholarships, Conferences, Seminars, and Jobs:

• Coordinating and disseminating information to Egyptian public universities regarding offerings from various international organizations and bodies, including (the National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture "UNESCO, ALECSO, ISESCO," the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia, and various embassies of different countries), concerning the following:
  • Scholarships for obtaining degrees such as "Master's, Ph.D., Postdoctoral"
  • International job vacancies
  • International awards
  • International competitions
  • Scientific seminars
  • Training courses
  • Training programs
  • Scientific conferences
  • Workshops

This is aimed at expanding the base of beneficiaries from what these bodies and organizations provide.