CAIRO, May 7 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli stressed on Wednesday that 12 new national universities will join service as of the coming academic year, bringing to 128 the number of universities in Egypt.

He noted that Egypt had only 50 universities seven years ago, adding that the newly approved institutions will include international and technological universities, offering programs in modern disciplines aligned with labor market needs.

Madbouli gave the remarks following the cabinet's weekly meeting.

He referred to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to establish a national council for education, research and innovation.

Meanwhile, Madbouli said two important meetings on tourism sector were held with a focus on facilitating procedures at Egyptian airports. The meetings came in response to concerns raised on social media and in local media over the complexity of airport procedures.

He said the government is working to improve the visitor experiment by implementing an electronic visa system and digitizing entry procedures, starting with Cairo International Airport, the country’s largest and busiest airport.

A high-level ministerial committee, comprising all relevant agencies, has been formed to resolve the matter. An agreement has been reached on a set of urgent measures that will be rolled out immediately to facilitate travel and boost tourism, he said. (MENA)
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