Planning Committees for Higher Education

The history of the establishment of the University Education Sector Committees dates back to 1968, aimed at coordinating among similar faculties in the four universities that existed at that time (Cairo, Alexandria, Ain Shams, Assiut). Following the issuance of the Universities Organization Law in 1972, which stipulated that each faculty in public universities must have its own internal regulations, the Sector Committees were tasked with reviewing these internal regulations and providing opinions before they were submitted to the Supreme Council of Universities. This was formalized in the Executive Regulations of the Universities Organization Law in 1975, which organized the work of the University Education Sector Committees. Article 3 of the Executive Regulations stipulated that the Supreme Council of Universities should issue a decision to form Planning Committees for University Education Sectors, and the Council should establish internal regulations for their work. Article 4 provided for the formation of an executive office for each Sector Committee, chaired by the head of the committee and including the committee’s secretary and the relevant faculty deans.

The Supreme Council of Universities issued Decree No. 5 on January 16, 1995, to restructure the University Education Sector Committees. On February 19, 1998, the Supreme Council issued Decree No. 8 to form 17 University Education Sector Committees for a new three-year term (1998–2001), comprising approximately 450 members from university faculty, professional associations, and stakeholders in university education.

On September 12, 2004, during its 421st session, the Supreme Council of Universities issued a decision to form new University Education Sector Committees for a three-year term (2004–2007), effective October 1, 2004. The new structure included 18 sector committees and 6 special committees, with more than 900 members from experts in university and higher education.

Development of Planning Committees for University Education Sectors

In line with a clear vision for all university education sectors and the need to modernize study programs, research, and community service in Egyptian universities, the Supreme Council of Universities sought input from the Sector Committees regarding challenges they faced in recent years and their proposals for improving their work in the future.

The Supreme Council of Universities issued Decree No. 148 on July 27, 2011, outlining the formation and specific functions of the Planning Committees and their executive offices for University Education Sectors.

Functions of the Planning Committees for University Education Sectors:

• Propose strategic foundations and indicators to serve the strategic planning for developing academic, research, and professional systems in the relevant sector.
• Study university education plans and the general principles of research plans in light of development needs and global scientific progress, including setting foundations for developing curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
• Issue guiding regulations for developing faculty and institute bylaws.
• Propose standards and basic conditions for licensing the establishment of new faculties and institutes within the sector.
• Determine scientific departments and study tracks, and provide opinions on the creation of new ones, as well as new scientific specializations required for development.
• Participate and provide opinions on proposed laws for the development of university education.
• Provide opinions on other matters referred to them by the Supreme Council of Universities.

Functions of the Executive Offices of the Planning Committees:

1. Study topics referred by the Supreme Council of Universities and provide opinions for submission to the Council or the sector’s Planning Committee, as appropriate.
2. Provide opinions on other matters referred to them by the Planning Committee.
3. Propose the formation of final exam committees.
4. Review reports from subject committees and provide opinions in preparation for submission to the Planning Committee.
5. Establish general guidelines for coordinating study systems, levels, and examinations in faculties and departments to achieve the goal of improving scientific standards while respecting the diversity of subjects and methods.
6. Provide opinions on scientific specializations relevant to the Planning Committees for University Education Sectors.