The National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE) in Egypt has launched its seventh international conference, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on education quality.
Themed “Quality Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” the event, which opened Sunday in Cairo, was inaugurated by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, representing Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Minister Ashour praised the conference for addressing the crucial need to integrate AI in education, noting, “NAQAAE’s efforts to connect education with artificial intelligence are essential for reshaping Egypt’s higher education system.”
He highlighted the rapid growth in Egypt’s AI education sector, with over 96 colleges now offering AI and computer science courses to 110,000 students, marking a 40% increase from last year.
The conference attracted global leaders in education, including Mohamed El-Doweiny, Deputy Grand Imam of Azhar, Usama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments, and representatives from the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Ashour emphasised the importance of “interdisciplinary specialisations and cross-programmatic initiatives,” which equip graduates with market-relevant skills.
Alaa Ashmawy, President of NAQAAE, highlighted that the conference promotes collaboration on AI applications in education quality, particularly as 2024 is celebrated as the Year of Education in Africa.
“This event builds trust in Egypt’s educational outputs on national, regional, and international levels,” Ashmawy said, underscoring the event’s role in fostering pan-African cooperation.
Egypt’s commitment to education aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to elevate the quality and global recognition of Egyptian education.
Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, expressed appreciation for the “unprecedented support from political leadership,” and affirmed, “Education is the driving force behind development and nation-building.”
This year’s conference includes partnerships with multiple international accreditation bodies, creating pathways for Egyptian institutions to achieve global standards, thereby strengthening Egypt’s position as a leader in educational development.