Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly took part in the launch of the International Academy of Architecture and Urbanism at its headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The event marked a significant moment in Egypt's educational and international collaboration landscape.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ceremony featured speeches from several high-ranking officials. Dr. Omar El-Husseiny, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee, Ambassador Michele Quaroni from Italy, Ambassador ‰ric Chevallier from France, and Ms. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education, all addressed the audience. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour emphasized the importance of the event as a milestone in scientific and academic cooperation between Egypt and the global community.
The International Academy of Architecture and Urbanism is established in collaboration with UNESCO, partnering with prestigious international institutions such as the International School of Architecture in Grenoble, France; the Faculty of Architecture at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; and the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Minister Ashour highlighted that this initiative is an outcome of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, initiated in March 2023. A key element of the strategy is to strengthen international connections and ensure that higher education and research outputs align with both local and global needs. This initiative is expected to enable Egypt's education system to keep pace with global trends and participate in significant research projects.
Dr. Ashour further explained that the academy will offer dual degrees in collaboration with esteemed international institutions known for their excellence in architecture and urbanism. The academy aims to educate skilled architects and urban planners while also offering specialized training for professionals already in the sector.