Summary of the Meeting:
- Discussion on the mechanism for measuring and evaluating the industrial impact of innovation and scientific research in universities.
- Approval of new regulations for the safe handling and management of hazardous waste.
- Universities achievements in the "100 Million Trees" initiative through planting 112,581 trees and reclaiming 660 acres.
- The role of universities in the "Decent Life/Hayah Karima" initiative through comprehensive development convoys in 2024.
- The Council emphasized the importance of disseminating good practices in energy conservation and activating renewable energy projects.
- The Council commended universities for organizing awareness convoys to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.
The meeting of the Supreme Council for Community Service and Environmental Development was chaired by Prof. Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, in the presence of several university presidents and vice presidents for community service and environmental development and was hosted by Cairo University.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Mostafa Refaat congratulated the council members on the upcoming Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi (the day of the birth of Prophet’s Mohammed peace be upon him), expressed gratitude to Cairo University for hosting the meeting, and welcomed the new vice presidents for community service and environmental development, wishing them success in their new roles.
The council listened to a detailed presentation by Dr. Hossam Othman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Innovation and Scientific Research, on the mechanism for measuring and evaluating the industrial impact of innovation and scientific research. In this regard, a committee was formed to evaluate universities' performance in linking scientific research with industry, supporting innovation, and entrepreneurship. This committee will prepare a comprehensive report with practical proposals and recommendations to enhance the role of universities in this area.
The council decided to approve the report and recommendations on setting regulations and requirements for the safe handling and integrated management of hazardous waste to ensure the effective implementation of Law No. 202 of 2020 on waste management. The council also approved a model for classifying waste, including organic, inorganic, chemical, and electronic waste, to facilitate recycling or sale. The council emphasized the importance of disseminating good practices followed by some universities in this field to benefit on a wider scale.
The council also approved a report on following up the implementation of the proposal to create a visual identity for each governorate in the country, aiming to promote national belonging, especially among youth and children, in line with presidential directives. A brief study was prepared based on the essential elements of the study provided to the universities, including defining a unified visual identity, the nature of the governorate/unique crafts, and the executive measures already taken (coordination meetings/work plan/documentary photos), and developing a guide for the visual identity that includes the items to be applied in the governorate.
The council discussed approving a model contract for leasing sales outlets at universities and generalizing it across universities to maximize their benefits, considering presidential directives to unify government contracts, whether internally or with external parties, using model contracts as a guide.
The council discussed a detailed report on universities' contributions to the "100 Million Trees" initiative in response to presidential directives. The report showed that universities have adopted a strategic vision aimed at achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, involving all community stakeholders inside and outside universities to achieve sustainable development and Egypt's Vision 2030. The total number of trees and plants planted by universities under this initiative reached 112,581, with a total reclaimed area of 660 acres and the efforts continue to achieve the goals of this national initiative.
The council approved a report on implementing and promoting energy conservation measures in universities. The report included several important recommendations, such as requiring university procurement departments to review all equipment purchase contracts to ensure energy efficiency, conducting regular maintenance, upgrading the university's electricity network, replacing traditional lamps with LED lights, installing motion sensors to control lighting automatically, activating renewable energy projects, and establishing energy management teams at the departmental and unit levels. The council emphasized the importance of disseminating good practices followed by some universities in this area.
The council was informed of the efforts made by universities in organizing intensive awareness convoys this year to combat and prevent illegal migration and human trafficking. The council praised these initiatives as part of the universities' social responsibility, emphasizing the importance of continuing and intensifying them in the coming period.
The council was also informed of reports from universities on the activities and achievements of the community service and environmental development sector in serving the most needy areas in cooperation with the "Decent Life/Hayah Karima" initiative during the current period of 2024 through comprehensive development convoys (medical, veterinary, agricultural, etc.).
General Administration of the Office of the Secretary of the Council Department of Public Relations
