The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research hands over contracts to support 67 research projects worth 106 million pounds

Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Mahmoud Saqr, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Dr. Walaa Sheta, CEO of the Science, Technology and Innovation Financing Authority, with the participation of Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, climate pioneer for the Egyptian presidency of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention COP27 and the Special Envoy The United Nations concerned with financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development via video conference technology, in order to hand over contracts to support 67 projects, with a total funding of 106 million, within the national appeal directed to Egyptian researchers at home and abroad, within the framework of the executive plan of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to adapt to climate changes for funding. Green in the field: "Adaptation to climate change and nature conservation", coinciding with Egypt's hosting of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change this November in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority participated in the implementation of the initiative through the Ministry, in accordance with the governing rules and regulations, as the initiative aimed to redirect attention towards green research and innovation related to climate change adaptation and recovery from its effects.

In his speech, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research explained that the ministry is putting all its capabilities to participate within the system of official bodies responsible for organizing Egypt’s hosting of the 27th session of the climate conference in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and all concerned parties to work on its success, as it represents an affirmation of Egypt’s leadership and appreciation of its role globally. .

The Minister noted the implementation of several initiatives through the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egyptian universities and research centers, and the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority to deal with climate change issues, as one of the goals of the country’s sustainable development plan that the Ministry of Higher Education is working to achieve, as well as supporting applied scientific research to find innovative practical solutions; To confront the effects, risks and potential threats that follow climate change.

The minister stressed the activation of the initiatives that were put forward and the dissemination of the successful experiences already carried out by many Egyptian universities, and the coordination between them to ensure non-repetition, stressing the excellence of the efforts undertaken by universities and research centers in this context.

On his part, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the climate pioneer for the Egyptian presidency of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention COP27 and the United Nations Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, stressed the importance of the role of universities, centers, institutes and research bodies in spreading a culture of climate change through three axes, including: Integrating the issue of climate change The curriculum for students in Egyptian universities, the implementation of many scientific research on climate change issues as part of environmental issues within the faculties concerned with this specialization in Egyptian universities, and support for research projects in this field, in addition to contributing to community work that spreads awareness about the risks and impacts of changes. climate impact on the environment and humans.

Also Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin stressed the importance of increasing societal awareness of climate issues, highlighting the extent of students’ awareness and ability to provide solutions, and the importance of teamwork and cooperation, which is what the world currently needs to face various challenges, including climate challenges, pointing out that climate change poses a real threat to the pathways of climate change. Various development and its impact on providing job opportunities and achieving economic growth, pointing to the importance of cooperation with foreign universities, as the Climate Summit will contribute effectively to promoting and spreading environmental awareness, and will also provide new opportunities in the field of investment, stressing the importance of sustainability with digital transformation, and the importance of green projects.

Dr. Mahmoud Saqr, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, gave a presentation in which he dealt with the timetable for the initiative and its objectives, and indicated that the Academy launched this call on May 7, 2022 within the executive plan of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to adapt to climate changes, within the framework of the strategic study prepared by the councils. Quality at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and approved by the Academy Council in its regular session No. 179; To support national research, development and innovation projects that are short-term, industrially viable and economically feasible.

Dr. Sakr indicated that 471 research proposals were submitted to the Academy through specialized committees affiliated to the Technical Evaluation, Follow-up and Performance Evaluation Office at the Academy, and 176 initial proposals were accepted. After conducting the technical evaluation of the full proposals, 94 proposals were accepted, and after conducting personal interviews and presentations, 43 submitted projects were contracted. From 17 public and private universities, 7 research institutes and a private company, with a total funding of 66 million pounds, pointing out that this appeal comes in line with the fifth goal of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which is to promote scientific research, technology transfer, knowledge management and awareness to combat climate change, and raise awareness about climate change. Among the various stakeholders (policy/decision makers, citizens, and students), he highlighted the efforts of the Egyptian government in dealing with the problem of climate change, stressing that scientific research has gone a long way in helping the state to confront the climate change crisis.

For his part, Dr. Walaa Sheta, Executive Director of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority, indicated that the Authority funded 24 research projects out of the total winning projects, with a total funding of up to 40 million pounds, from universities and research centers (Cairo University, Ain Shams University, University of Assiut, Alexandria University, Beni Suef University, Port Said University, Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology, British University in Egypt, National Research Center, Petroleum Research Institute, Tabbin Institute for Mineral Studies, Agricultural Research Center, Scientific Research City, Desert Research Center), in Call Framework “Support the Integration of the SDGs to Pave the Way for the COP27 Climate Summit Call”.

The CEO of the authority explained that the projects were selected through the technical evaluation committees of the authority and the terms of the appeal and standards that are in line with achieving the national strategy for climate change in Egypt 2050, which aims to effectively address the effects and repercussions of climate change. Climate change, achieving sustainable development goals, preserving natural resources and ecosystems, and enhancing Egypt’s leadership at the international level in the field of climate change, noting that it is one of the important topics in the field of agriculture or dealing with plant diseases and projects in dealing with various water resources, in addition to the field of changes coastal and the impact on marine life.

To view all the winning projects, please visit the official website of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology www.asrt.sci.eg