Egypt invests LE23 Billion in higher education development in Sinai, Canal Cities

CAIRO - 22 April 2025: As the Arab Republic of Egypt celebrates the 43rd anniversary of the liberation of the beloved Sinai Peninsula, and in light of the significant attention the political leadership gives to major national projects, especially in the Sinai Peninsula and the Canal cities, the higher education and scientific research sector has received substantial support from the leadership. This has contributed to achieving development in this important region within the "New Republic."

Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, affirmed that the state has spared no effort in developing the Sinai Peninsula and the Canal cities, with unprecedented support from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Major national and developmental projects have been implemented, underscoring the priority of Sinai and the Canal cities on the comprehensive and sustainable development map in line with Egypt's Vision 2030. He clarified that the state has implemented numerous projects in higher education in Sinai, with a total cost of LE23 billion, in addition to the ongoing construction of several colleges and the equipping of laboratories and workshops.

The Minister of Higher Education highlighted the numerous national higher education projects implemented in Sinai and the Canal cities to complete comprehensive development. He explained that the Egyptian state places education at the forefront of its priorities, considering it a means for progress and achieving prosperity and flourishing.

Ayman Ashour pointed to the diversity of the higher education system, which consists of governmental, private, national, technological universities, branches of foreign universities, universities with framework and international agreements and special laws, in addition to institutes. He emphasized that this diversity contributes to offering modern interdisciplinary study programs that meet the requirements of the local, regional, and international labor markets.

Hassan El-Demerdash, President of Arish University, indicated that the university has implemented numerous educational, service, and production projects costing approximately LE1.7 billion. The new projects included academic buildings, advanced laboratories, equipped classrooms, upgrading the university city, establishing a new university city, and modern integrated service facilities. These aim to improve the quality of education and scientific research and provide an ideal environment for students and researchers within the university.

He clarified that the university includes 11 faculties and a graduate studies institute, noting the increase in the number of students enrolled at the university due to the increase in the number of faculties and the offering of diverse specializations, accommodating larger numbers of students. He affirmed that the university strives to provide a modern educational environment that keeps pace with academic developments, and that these expansions are part of the university's vision to align with academic and technological advancements.

Nasser Mandour, Acting President of the New Ismailia National University, pointed out that the university is one of the most prominent national projects implemented in the East Canal region, established on an area of 29 acres with a total cost of LE3.384 billion. He noted that the university's mission is not limited to education and research but extends to supporting the most needy groups in society through participation in humanitarian initiatives and comprehensive convoys, to enhance the values of belonging and citizenship among students and to implement the university's community role.

Ashraf Henaigel, President of Suez University, explained the ongoing construction work at the Suez University branch in Abu Redis, South Sinai, which will be the first branch of a public university in South Sinai, with an estimated cost of LE2 billion. The branch is being built on an area of 100 acres and will include 17 faculties and an integrated medical complex. He noted that the construction work for the faculties of the first phase has been completed, and the finishing works and equipping of the faculty buildings are underway according to the pre-determined timelines.

Ashraf Hussein, President of King Salman International University, affirmed that the university has 3 branches in South Sinai (Al-Tor, Ras Sidr, Sharm El-Sheikh), and it is the first smart university in Sinai, with a total cost of LE10.5 billion. The university offers modern and advanced study programs. He emphasized that the university has signed numerous cooperation protocols with academic and industrial institutions to offer dual degree programs in cooperation with major prestigious universities. He added that the university launched a number of distinguished programs during the current academic year 2025/2026 in various scientific fields and specializations.

Medhat El-Hadeq, President of East Port Said Technological University, explained that the university is being built on an area of 70,140 square meters, with a total cost of LE646 million. He affirmed that the university offers new study programs that serve the industry in the surrounding geographical region.

He pointed out that the university offers 6 programs in two faculties: the Faculty of Industrial and Energy Technology, offering programs in (Ship Maintenance and Operation, Wood Industries, Food Industries), and the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Services Technology, offering programs in (Tourism and Travel Technology, Hotel Services Technology, Beverage and Food Technology) during the academic year 2025/2026.

Atef Alam El-Din, President of East Port Said National University, indicated that the university is being built on an area of 44 acres, with a total cost of LE4.6 billion. He noted that the university aims to provide a distinguished level of education and create an educational environment conducive to creativity and innovation by offering modern academic programs that meet the requirements of the labor market.

The East Port Said National University aims to contribute to raising the level of education and scientific research and providing scientific specializations that keep pace with developments in the labor market to prepare specialists in various fields, in addition to its community role through providing various services and launching comprehensive developmental and service convoys in the Sinai region.

Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that the establishment of numerous universities in the Sinai Peninsula and the Canal cities comes within the framework of the state's comprehensive vision. Arish University, King Salman International University, New Ismailia National University, East Port Said National University, and East Port Said Technological University have been established. He pointed out that the construction of the Suez University branch in Abu Redis, South Sinai, which will become South Sinai University, the first public university to be established in South Sinai, is nearing completion.

The official spokesperson added that the universities encourage the people of Sinai and the Canal cities to continue their university education, spread cultural awareness among them, and contribute to achieving comprehensive development in Sinai and the Canal cities, in addition to meeting the increasing demand for university education and providing distinguished educational opportunities for youth, to qualify students to meet the needs of the labor market, in line with achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research.