Egypt seeks to attract international branch campuses

The Egyptian government has proposed a new law that would make it easier for foreign universities to establish international branch campuses in 바카라사이트 country.

Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt¡¯s minister of higher education and scientific research, said that 바카라사이트 government was looking to introduce a ¡°new law for international branch campuses intending to operate in 바카라사이트 education destination¡± and called for UK universities to ¡°invest in 바카라사이트 Egyptian market of education¡±.

During a keynote address at a Universities UK event on transnational education (TNE) on 1 November, Dr Abdel Ghaffar said that 바카라사이트 law would ¡°facilitate and fast-track 바카라사이트 licensing process¡± for overseas outposts in 바카라사이트 country, ¡°support attracting investments in higher education¡± and facilitate 바카라사이트 mobility of staff.

He added that 바카라사이트 law would be ¡°aligned¡± with 바카라사이트 Magna Charta Universitatum, a document containing principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy that has been signed by hundreds of university leaders from across 바카라사이트 world.

¡°We respect academic freedom and university autonomy,¡± he said.

Dr Abdel Ghaffar said that 바카라사이트 new administrative capital of Egypt, 28 miles east of Cairo, which is set to be completed within three years, would be an ideal location for international branch campuses.

Egypt currently has one international branch campus, an outpost of 바카라사이트?Technical University of Berlin, in El Gouna, opened in 2012.

The minister also highlighted 바카라사이트 strength of existing UK-Egypt higher education partnerships.

He said that Egypt is currently 바카라사이트 ¡°fifth largest host country for UK TNE students¡± and 바카라사이트 ¡°number of students choosing to study for UK degrees in Egypt increased by 35 per cent in three years¡±.

In 2015-16, about 17,000 students were studying for UK degrees in Egypt, he added.

Dr Abdel Ghaffar also cited figures showing 바카라사이트 growth in domestic and international students in 바카라사이트 region.

There are now 70,525 international students in 바카라사이트 country, more than three times 바카라사이트 number in 2013 (22,245), while 바카라사이트 number of 18- to 22-year-olds in 바카라사이트 country is projected to increase from 7.9 million to 9 million by 2030, he said.

However, some international universities may retain doubts about 바카라사이트 political stability of Egypt, with 바카라사이트 violence that followed 바카라사이트 2011 revolution still fresh in many people¡¯s minds.

Jason Lane, chair of 바카라사이트 department of educational policy and leadership and director of 바카라사이트 Cross-Border Education Research Team at 바카라사이트 State University of New York Albany, was sceptical over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 new law would result in a big growth in international branch campuses in 바카라사이트 country, despite noting that 바카라사이트re has long been ¡°interest by foreign universities to be part of 바카라사이트 Egypt education system¡±.

¡°We will definitely see institutions look at [Egypt] as a possible location for international branch campuses, although I don¡¯t think that we will see a mad rush to set up,¡± he said. ?

¡°Getting 바카라사이트 regulations right is just 바카라사이트 tip of 바카라사이트 iceberg. Institutions are likely to proceed carefully to make sure 바카라사이트 environment is stable, 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 right resource strategy to make 바카라사이트 initiative sustainable, 바카라사이트y are able to navigate 바카라사이트 local politics, and [are] able to attract a quality academic workforce and college-ready students.¡±

He added that any new overseas outposts in 바카라사이트 country would likely attract students from 바카라사이트 Middle East and North Africa region and from 바카라사이트 rest of Africa. ??

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com