Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, received a delegation from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, headed by Professor Ron Parkes, President of the Royal College of Surgeons. They discussed enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, and Mr. Mark Howard, President of the British Council, at the Ministry's headquarters in the Administrative Capital. At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister praised the cooperative relations between Egypt and the United Kingdom in the field of higher education and scientific research, praising the role played by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in the field of medical education. Dr. Ayman Ashour confirmed that Ministry's keenness to raise the level of medical education, and to provide continuous support and development to this vital sector in all its specialties, in addition to nursing. In addition t o that, the meeting discussed the signing of a joint agreement between the Ministry and the College. The two sides also discussed the details of preparing for the proposed items, as well as the possibility of opening a branch of the College in Egypt, to provide training programs for trainers, evaluation, and accreditation, and providing support to researchers in the field of postgraduate studies in medical specialties. Dr. Mustafa Rifaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, called for continuing the discussion with the British side through the Supreme Council of Universities to enhance aspects of cooperation with the Royal College of Surgeons, and to activate the strategic cooperation agreement between the Supreme Council of Universities, represented by the faculties of the medical and dental sectors, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, with the support of the British Culture Council in Cairo. Dr. Rasha Kamal, Cultural Attaché and Director of the Educational Mission to the United Kingdom and Ireland, said that the Egyptian Cultural Office is working to strengthen partnerships between Egypt and Britain, especially in the fields of higher education and scientific research, and to open channels of joint cooperation with British universities and academies. For its part, the British delegation thanked the Minister for his keenness to support cooperation between the college and Egyptian universities, as well as the policy of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in developing study programs, paying attention to faculty members, and providing training for all doctors affiliated with the Ministry in its university hospitals. Source: State Information Service Egypt