CAIRO, Sept 9, 2018 - Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar on Sunday met the Italian Ambassador in Cairo, Giampaolo Cantini, at the ministry's headquarters. The two senior officials discussed how to boost scientific co-operation between Egypt and Italy. Minister Abdel Ghaffar praised the exemplary relations binding the two countries. He confirmed that Egypt was keen on continuing the implementation of joint scientific projects, as part of the executive programme for scientific, educational and cultural co-operation between Egypt and Italy. The two officials also discussed how Egyptian universities could benefit from Italian expertise. They discussed the progress of construction work on the Egyptian-Italian University in the New Administrative Capital. During the meeting, the arrangements for Minister Abdel Ghaffar's visit to Italy were discussed, where the minister is due to meet the Italian minister of higher education and to visit several Italian universities. Ambassador Cantini confirmed that his country was keen on pushing relations with Egypt towards new horizons. He described relations between the two countries as firm and distinctive at every level. In another development, Minister Abdel Ghaffar met the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Abdelkader Dandati, to review ways of strengthening co-operation between the Egyptian and Nigerian universities. During the meeting, the minister confirmed Egypt's keenness on boosting co-operation with African countries and on providing all the support required by students coming from all over Africa to study at the Egyptian universities. He praised the ties between Egypt and Nigeria in all fields, especially the educational, scientific and cultural ones. Minister Abdel Ghaffar said that Egypt was ready to provide all the support needed to upgrade educational institutions in Nigeria, with the aim of contributing to the development process in the country. He added that his ministry was willing to send Egyptian professors to teach at Nigerian universities. The Nigerian ambassador in Cairo praised the role being played by Egypt in supporting Africa in various fields.