Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mohamed Ayman Ashour emphasized the importance of enhancing scientific and research cooperation between Egyptian and Hungarian universities within the framework of improving the quality of educational services, enhancing the ranking of Egyptian universities in international classifications, and encouraging investment in higher education. This came during the minister's opening, along Minister of Culture and Innovation of Hungary Janos Csak, of the inaugural session of the Academic and Scientific Forum between Egypt and Hungary, in the presence of Deputy Minister for Research Affairs Yasser Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities Mostafa Refaat, Egyptian Ambassador to Hungary Mohamed El Shenawy and Hungarian Ambassador in Cairo Andras Kova´cs, along with a host of ministry officials and presidents of Egyptian and Hungarian universities, at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. Ashour welcomed all participan ts attending the forum, affirming the Egyptian state's interest in expanding the establishment of branches of foreign universities with distinguished academic reputations, within the framework of implementing the principle of international reference, which is one of the most important objectives and principles of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research. He pointed out that the forum would be an important opportunity to increase cooperation between the two sides, exchange experiences, knowledge, and skills, support cooperation efforts in areas of mutual scientific research interest, and agree on academic specialties for collaboration. On his part, Janos Csak pointed out that Hungary hosts many international students from various countries worldwide, expressing his happiness with the cooperation with Egypt as a gateway to Africa, in addition to the shared culture with Mediterranean countries Source: State Information Service Egypt