President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday approved the establishment of a university institution named Global in the new administrative capital to house a satellite campus for University of Hertfordshire. The decision was published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday. University of Hertfordshire, located 20 minutes by train from central London, is a leading entrepreneurial university. The new campus aims to contribute to developing Egypt's higher education and scientific research system, and provide global education opportunities inside the country while preserving the national identity of the students. According to the presidential decision, the University of Hertfordshire will be in charge of everything related to academic aspects, as well as the system for studies, exams, and the granting of degrees. Global's role shall be limited to providing administrative services as well as equipment. Study programmes in the anticipated campus include pharmacy, business administration, computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, media, and innovative arts. The University of Hertfordshire's history spans half a century of innovative higher education in Hertfordshire. According to the Complete University Guide, its vision is to be internationally renowned as the UK's leading business-facing university: all courses are underpinned by industry insight and 80 percent are accredited by professional bodies. Back in February 2019, Egyptian government announced plans to build eight international universities in the country's new capital by 2020. These ambitious plans coincide with President Sisi's decision – declared during a national youth conference held at Cairo University in late July 2018 – for 2019 to be Egypt's ‘Year of Education.' As an essential part of a broader vision to reform the Egyptian educational system, Sisi proceeded to issue Law No. 162 of 2018, which stipulates that scientifically accredited foreign universities are allowed to build branches in Egypt with the aim of developing the country's higher education and scientific research.
