This morning, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, witnessed the inauguration of Badya University in New October City, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, alongside a number of ministers, governors, members of Parliament, ambassadors, media professionals, and CEOs of leading companies in various sectors of the Egyptian market.
At the start of the ceremony—held to mark the launch of five colleges at Badya University, established in partnership with the University of Texas—the Prime Minister watched a short film showcasing the university’s modern educational capabilities and facilities. It was pointed out that this institution is the outcome of a collaboration between Palm Hills, one of Egypt’s leading real estate development companies, and Taaleem for Management Services, a major provider of higher education services. Beginning in the first semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, classes will commence in the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Applied Economics and Business Administration, and Computing and Data Science.
Badya University spans an area of 167,000 square meters, serving more than 12,000 students. It will offer educational, sports, and recreational services, helping create a well-rounded and enjoyable university experience. In addition, the university will introduce a vocational training track in partnership with major industrial and service entities to prepare students for future job requirements.
During the ceremony, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, outlined the principal factors involved in advancing the private higher education system in Egypt—one of the key pillars in the overall development of higher education nationwide. He emphasized that the launch of Badya University underscores the prominent role the state plays in supporting the private sector to invest in higher education.
The Minister noted that privately run higher education institutions currently serve over 400,000 students, with the capacity to accommodate more. He added that 120,000 seats in these institutions are available for new students this year. He also commended the societal contributions of private universities in Egypt, which go beyond their educational role, especially their substantial support of national initiatives that positively impact citizens’ lives, foremost among them the presidential initiative “Decent Life.”
Dr. Ashour further addressed efforts by private universities to provide healthcare services, noting that, by the end of this year, there will be nine hospitals affiliated with private universities with a total capacity of 2,000 beds. He added that the state aims to forge more partnerships and twin agreements with international universities to develop healthcare services. He highlighted the partnership with the University of Texas—ranked among the world’s top 50 universities—as a key contribution to achieving Egypt’s development goals.
Speaking next, Dr. Hossam Al-Mallahi, Senate member and President of Badya University, presented the university’s academic vision. He thanked the Prime Minister for the support given to ensure the success of this project, and praised Dr. Madbouly’s commitment in convening a previous meeting with officials from the University of Texas Medical Branch (the medical division of the “Texas System”), exploring prospects for mutual cooperation in healthcare research with the Egyptian side, represented by Badya University under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Dr. Al-Mallahi noted that this played a pivotal role in the university’s decision to invest in Egypt.
Dr. Jeffrey Sussman, Senior Assistant Dean for Academic Performance at UTMB Health, part of the University of Texas, then presented a brief video about the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health). The video covered the medical branch’s historical background and its strong research capabilities. Dr. Sussman expressed his pride in partnering with Badya University in this pioneering project, highlighting his enthusiasm for sharing expertise in advanced educational programs and his hopes for deeper collaboration with the Egyptian side to further research and scientific work for the betterment of humanity.
In his address, Mr. Yassin Mansour, Chairman of the Board and Executive Group of Palm Hills, noted that the “Badya” project represents a model partnership between the government and the private sector. It is the largest real estate development in West Cairo, covering an area of 3,000 acres with total investments of EGP 100 billion. Implemented in partnership between the company and the New Urban Communities Authority, the project aligns with Egypt’s National Urban Development Plan: Egypt 2052.
Mr. Mansour underscored the state’s efforts to support the private sector and the availability of infrastructure across various industries, which has fostered the growth of numerous new cities. He extended his gratitude to the political leadership and the Prime Minister, saying, “We couldn’t have achieved this dream without you.”
He added that inaugurating Badya University marks a major milestone in Palm Hills’ strategy to strengthen education in Egypt, acknowledging that education is one of the primary drivers of economic and social development. The aim is to prepare young graduates capable of propelling Egypt forward. He confirmed the company’s determination to increase investment in partnerships with prominent educational institutions—Egyptian, regional, and international—to establish educational facilities that meet global standards. Mr. Mansour pointed out that Palm Hills is a key partner, rather than merely a host, of the educational institutions operating in the communities it develops, in line with the company’s belief that education is essential to its role in advancing development.
Concluding the ceremony, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and his delegation toured the university facilities, including the Faculty of Medicine building, lecture halls, clinical skills labs, the anatomy lab, the microscopes and tissues lab, and the university library. In the skills lab, the Prime Minister observed a patient-simulation robot powered by artificial intelligence. When particular patient data are input into the system, students can interact with the robot by asking questions about its medical history; the robot responds according to the provided information, thereby helping students learn accurate disease diagnosis.