By Amr Hosny

Translated by Wael Hossam El Din

Developers in the real estate sector and the Egyptian government recognize that education is the key to achieving a higher standard of living and attaining greater accomplishments.

Accordingly, they have been keen on establishing various universities, including private, community, and branches of government universities, with their respective faculties in new cities.

This initiative aims to create integrated urban communities that provide educational aspects alongside essential health and civic services. It aligns with the government’s efforts to build new cities to accommodate the rapid population growth in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Prominent New Private Universities in Egypt

New private universities have emerged across all governorates in Egypt between 2022 and 2023. Alamein International University is located on the Petroleum Road in New Alamain City in the Matrouh Governorate.

As for Galala University, it is situated in the city of Ataqah in the Suez Governorate. The New Mansoura University is located on the International Coastal Road in New Mansoura City in the Dakahlia Governorate. Helwan National University is also situated in the eastern region of Helwan in the Cairo Governorate. Mansoura National University is located on the International Coastal Road, approximately 40 minutes from Mansoura.

Furthermore, Benha National University is situated in the Entertainment District of Al Obour City in the Greater Cairo Qalyubia Governorate. At the same time, Menoufia National University is located on the Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road in Quesna in the Menoufia Governorate.

Beni Suef National University is located on the eastern bank of the Nile in the Beni Suef Governorate, and Assiut National University is situated in the New Assiut City in the Assiut Governorate. South Valley University is located in the Qena Governorate’s desert fringe, specifically in the Qena Department.

Regarding the locations of private universities in Egypt, Minia National University is situated in New Minya City. The East Port Said University is in the Salam Misr City in the Port Said Governorate. Alexandria National University is located in the New Smouha area in the Alexandria Governorate.

On the other hand, Zagazig National University is located in the Tenth of Ramadan City in the Sharqia Governorate. New Ismailia National University is situated in the El Qantara Sharq area in the Ismailia Governorate, while the Egyptian E-Learning University is located at 33 Al-Masaha Street in Dokki, Giza.

Moreover, the King Salman International University has been established in three different locations: the Tor branch on the “Tor – Sharm El Sheikh Coastal” Road in South Sinai, the Ras Sedr branch on the El Obour Road in South Sinai, and the Sharm El Sheikh branch in the Al-Nour neighborhood near the Sharm El Sheikh Department. Egypt has also established the French University in Egypt (UFE), located on the Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road, in the Shorouk Department of Cairo Governorate.

In the New Minya City, the Faculty of Arts branch of Minya University has been inaugurated. In New Thebes City, the Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Girls’ Faculty of Al-Azhar University have been established. Additionally, in New Damietta City, a branch of Mansoura University and Al-Azhar University has been opened. As for the City of Scientific Research, it houses the Egyptian-Japanese University.

Cost of the First Phase of New Private Universities

A statement issued by the Ministry of Higher Education revealed that the total cost of establishing and equipping the first phase of the 12 new private universities amounted to approximately EGP 39 bn.

These new private universities include Assiut National University, Mansoura National University, Minia National University, Menoufia National University, and the New Ismailia National University. Additionally, the list includes Helwan National University, Zagazig National University, Benha National University, Qena National University, Alexandria National University, Beni Suef National University, and East Port Said National University.

Leading Universities in the New Administrative Capital

The government has also ensured the presence of international university branches in the New Administrative Capital. These include Canada’s University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), the UK’s Coventry University, the UK’s University of Hertfordshire, the European Universities in Egypt (EUE), University of Central Lancashire, German International University (GIU), and the Hungarian University. The universities in the New Administrative Capital aim to focus on technological education, its development, sustainable development, and providing unique opportunities for higher education.

These new educational establishments will boost scientific research in various vital fields in Egypt, exchanging experiences and diverse cultures globally, promoting tourism, including Arab and international students, and working towards providing hard currency in Egypt.

Significance of Universities in New Urban Centers: Research Study Findings

A research study titled “The Impact of University Establishment on Urban Development in New Cities” by researcher Marwa Sebweh Hamed, Assistant Professor at the Department of Urban Planning at Cairo University, and researcher Ahmed Ali El-Barbary, Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Regional and Urban Planning at Cairo University, revealed that private universities have the greatest influence within their surroundings.

The study also highlighted the urban effects, particularly in terms of changing land use and increasing its area, as well as changes in transportation and communication networks. Development begins in the surrounding universities in successive stages, starting with increased construction activities in the surrounding areas, followed by increased regional real estate transactions.

The emergence of commercial and service activities then follows this. The researcher further concluded that the most significant urban effects in the vicinity of universities include changes in land use, changes in public transportation routes and their increase, the emergence of new transportation stations as well as new housing patterns, and increased development activities in their surroundings.

In the same context, the study indicated that universities contribute to boosting the city’s economy through the emergence of commercial activities, malls, shops, and surrounding residential areas near the universities, which leads to increased land prices.

Furthermore, universities impact the city’s residents by providing them with services such as university hospitals, medical caravans, educational services such as public libraries, services for school students, and book fairs. Furthermore, they contribute to population growth in the surrounding area by attracting students and residents.

Experts Emphasize the Value of Expanding University Branches in the New Administrative Capital

In the meantime, Mena Mohamed, a teaching assistant at the Misr International University, which opened a branch in the New Administrative Capital, stated that opening branches for private and non-profit universities in new cities plays a significant role in educational development. It also leads to diversity and freedom of choice for students to select the most suitable university for their skills, creating various job opportunities.

Mohamed highlighted the importance of opening departments for Artificial Intelligence (AI), which enables students to qualify for the current job market amidst the significant AI revolution worldwide.

She continued, “The spread of new universities opens up new horizons and contributes to developing education, job opportunities, and attracting foreign students to the distinguished universities established in Egypt. It also ensures that educational opportunities are not limited to traditional universities.”

Mohannad Fawda, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Mansoura University, stated that the establishment of new universities in new cities serves as a means of attracting employees and students and creating a new economic base.

Fawda explained to Invest-Gate, “Universities need support alongside them, such as new factories, hospitals, and recreational facilities, to keep residents continuously residing in the new cities.”