Egypt and Zimbabwe: Expanding cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and capacity building

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Frederick Chava, Minister of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology of Zimbabwe, received Ambassador Dr. Maha Serageldin, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Zimbabwe, where the two sides discussed prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research and capacity building, in addition to exchanging experiences between academic institutions in the two countries.

Egypt and Zimbabwe share historical ties

During the meeting, both sides affirmed the deep historical ties that bind Egypt and Zimbabwe, which extend back to the period before Zimbabwe’s independence and its struggle for liberation, stressing the importance of building on this historical legacy to strengthen the partnership in various fields, in order to achieve the common interests of the two countries and peoples.

Ambassador Dr. Maha Siraj El-Din reviewed the outstanding capabilities that Egyptian universities provide for international students, and what Egypt offers in terms of scholarships and training programs aimed at supporting sister African countries, within the framework of its efforts to enhance academic cooperation and build human resources on the continent.

For his part, Minister Frederick Chava praised the Egyptian role in supporting development and capacity-building efforts in Zimbabwe, expressing his country’s aspiration to expand cooperation with Egyptian educational institutions and benefit from Egyptian expertise in developing the higher education and scientific research system.

The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening direct partnerships between Egyptian universities and their Zimbabwean counterparts, and encouraging the exchange of academic and research visits, which would contribute to raising the level of scientific cooperation and opening new horizons for partnership between the two countries.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert R. Chimbindi, represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Dr. Amon Moreira, at the ceremony commemorating the 74th anniversary of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Harare.

The occasion reaffirmed the deep-rooted and friendly relations between Zimbabwe and Egypt, based on mutual respect, African solidarity, and a shared commitment to peace, sustainable development, and prosperity. The two countries continue to strengthen cooperation through economic diplomacy, with expanding areas of collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Zimbabwe values Egypt as a reliable strategic partner, whose continued support contributes to advancing shared African aspirations, including regional integration, economic transformation, and equitable global governance. This partnership has already yielded tangible results, including cooperation in the health sector, expanded investment opportunities, and technology transfer.