Fostering Collaboration between National Support Network for Horizon Europe Program
Pharos University in Alexandria participated in the meeting organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research—through its European Office for Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt in Cairo—for members of the “Horizon Europe” program committees and national and institutional focal points. The gathering marked the one-year anniversary of Egypt signing the participation agreement for the Horizon Europe program. PUA was represented by Prof. Dr. Wesam Magdy El-Rifai, Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, serving as PUA’s official representative and institutional focal point for the Horizon Europe initiative.
According to the Ministry’s official statement, the meeting took place alongside training sessions for national and institutional focal points to strengthen coordination across Egypt’s support network. This network encompasses over 35 national contact points and more than 120 institutional focal points spanning 96 institutions across 25 governorates, including universities, research centers, ministries, and state entities. Discussions highlighted the central role of national contact points in briefing researchers on program opportunities and guiding them through application stages, alongside the vital role of institutional contact points as key liaisons within universities and research hubs for disseminating information, organizing orientation sessions, and connecting researchers with specialized authorities.
The meeting further explored mechanisms to support researchers, innovators, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises, while enhancing collaboration among academic institutions, research centers, governmental bodies, and the industrial sector. The proceedings included an official invitation to participate actively in the Research and Innovation Week, scheduled to take place from December 6 to 13, 2026.
In this context, the Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research, stated that PUA’s participation reflects its commitment to advancing international cooperation in scientific research and innovation while broadening funding and partnership opportunities for its faculty members. Further, the Vice-dean affirmed that the university continues to support its researchers and cultivate an empowering ecosystem designed to draft competitive research proposals and leverage the global opportunities offered by the Horizon Europe program.
