Abu Dhabi and Cairo moved closer to launching a joint higher education initiative, as Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alexandria University – Abu Dhabi, met with Dr. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital on Monday.

The meeting centred on preparations for the inauguration of the Alexandria University campus in Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to coincide with the start of the 2025–26 academic year. Both sides also discussed broader cooperation in education, scientific research, innovation, and academic exchange, underlining a shared ambition to strengthen the knowledge economy and build skilled human capital in the region.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed highlighted the “deep-rooted fraternal ties” between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, calling them a foundation for expanding academic partnerships. He praised the role of Alexandria University (one of Egypt’s oldest and most respected public universities) in regional higher education, and said its Abu Dhabi campus would provide advanced programmes aligned with labour market needs and national development priorities.

For his part, Dr. Ashour underscored the historic strategic relationship between Egypt and the UAE, and expressed his government’s commitment to widening academic cooperation with Emirati institutions. He noted that such initiatives would not only foster innovation but also help prepare future generations for active roles in sustainable development.

The Abu Dhabi campus of Alexandria University is part of a broader trend of cross-border partnerships in higher education, as Gulf countries look to attract international universities to meet the rising demand for world-class education at home. For Egypt, which has been expanding its universities’ international presence, the venture strengthens its soft power and regional academic footprint.

Source: WAM