Mansoura University President Participates in Fulbright Workshop on “Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer” in the Presence of the Minister of Higher Education

Prof. Cherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, participated in a workshop organized by the Fulbright Commission in Egypt, entitled: “University Leadership Program Series 2026: From Idea to Ecosystem: Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer.” The workshop was attended by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt.

Also present were Prof. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research; Prof. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities; Prof. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister and Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector; Dr. Maggie Nassif, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt; and a number of Egyptian university presidents, council secretaries, and leaders from the Ministry of Higher Education.

Prof. Ayman Ashour said that the Fulbright Program has served as a strong cultural and scientific bridge between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America since its inception, acting as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two nations. The Minister of Higher Education emphasized the Ministry's and Egyptian universities' commitment to strengthening academic and research cooperation with various educational and research institutions worldwide, and to supporting communication channels that contribute to opening broader horizons for scientific and academic partnerships, serving the nation's priorities and contributing to human capacity building. He explained the Ministry and universities' focus on supporting entrepreneurship and innovation as fundamental pillars of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, and working to link scientific research with industry to bolster the national economy and achieve sustainable development.

Dr. Maggie Nassif highlighted the long-standing partnership between Egypt and the United States, particularly the Fulbright Program, expressing her appreciation to Prof. Ayman Ashour for his forward-looking vision for the future of higher education and his efforts in realizing this vision. She noted that the Fulbright Commission in Egypt is the only one in the world chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, reflecting the high level of official interest in the program. She emphasized that the Commission offers a range of distinguished, fully funded programs, including student training in emerging and new fields, graduate programs, and postdoctoral research, as well as opportunities for faculty members to participate in academic programs that enhance their administrative and organizational skills.

Dr. Richard Joseph, a Fulbright expert, senior advisor to the Association of College and University Boards of Governors, and former academic president of Bryant University and Hult University, presented a paper titled "From Idea to Ecosystem: Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer." His presentation addressed the gap between university research and the labor market, and the Ministry of Higher Education's efforts to bridge it through the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development," the Researcher-to-Entrepreneurship (R2E) program, and the development of an entrepreneurial culture within universities.

The workshop concluded with extensive and fruitful discussions between university presidents, ministry officials, and the expert on how to leverage the presentation's themes to support the development of higher education and scientific research in Egypt.

In a press statement on the sidelines of the workshop, Prof. Cherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, emphasized the university's commitment to strengthening the role of technology transfer offices and encouraging researchers and faculty members to translate scientific research outputs into practical applications and productive projects that contribute to supporting the national economy and achieving sustainable development goals. He explained that the university is continuously working to build effective partnerships with industrial and research institutions both locally and internationally, in line with the state's focus on supporting innovation and contributing to the development of qualified personnel capable of competing regionally and globally. He concluded his statement by affirming that Mansoura University prioritizes supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer as a key strategic objective. This is achieved through developing the institutional infrastructure that supports applied research and expanding cooperation with industrial partners, thereby contributing to transforming knowledge into added economic value and enhancing the university's role as a primary driver of sustainable development and community service.