Bulletin: Egypt Holds Aptitude Tests for Graduates of Technical Schools; Webinar on Advancing Students’ Digital Skills
News of the Arab Region:
Egypt Holds Aptitude Tests for Graduates of Technical Schools
Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education has opened registration for students holding technical certificates (the Advanced Industrial Technical Schools Diploma and Industrial Technical Institutes Diploma) to book aptitude tests required for admission to several university faculties of arts and architecture.
According to the ministry, the tests will take place at designated colleges from Saturday, 30 August, to Tuesday, 2 September 2025. These include the Faculties of Fine Arts (architecture and arts) at Helwan University, Alexandria University, and Minya University; the Faculty of Fine Arts (arts) at Luxor University; and the Faculties of Applied Arts at Helwan, Benha, Beni Suef, Damietta, Tanta, and Damanhour Universities. Applicants must have achieved scores of at least 75 percent and be graduates of the year 2025.
Qatar U. to Host 3-Minute Thesis Competition
Qatar University will host the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition on 20 September, challenging master’s and doctoral students to present the significance of their research to a general audience in just three minutes.
The university described the event as an opportunity to celebrate graduate students’ discoveries and encourage them to communicate their research impact to the community. It also aims to highlight the wide range of graduate opportunities available in Qatar.
Qatar University has organised the 3MT undergraduate competition since 2012 and launched the first national edition, for institutions offering research-based graduate programmes, in 2021.
AfDB Sees Universities as Key Partners in Africa’s Development
The African Development Bank is committed to supporting the potential of universities as hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal transformation that can drive Africa’s development, an official of the bank said at a recent gathering in Japan.
Speaking at a symposium on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), Nnenna Nwabufo, the bank’s vice president for regional development, said AfDB emphasising its commitment to integrating universities into investment programmes, supporting skills development, and fostering partnerships with industry and the private sector.
The symposium, hosted by the University of Tokyo and co-organised with the University of Pretoria and AfDB, explored Africa-Japan collaboration in higher education. Discussions focused on how universities can fuel entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and social impact, with initiatives like the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship cited as examples of effective partnerships preparing Africa’s youth to lead future change.
Association of Arab Universities to Hold Webinar on Students’ Digital Skills
The Association of Arab Universities will host a webinar titled “Improving Students’ Digital Skills” on Wednesday, 3 September, at 1 p.m. Amman time, via Zoom. Among other issues, the seminar will discuss Arab university students’ digital skills, assessment results from several institutions, innovative approaches to measuring actual skills, and the impact of skill development on graduate quality and job-market readiness. Registration is available through this link.
Effat U. Launches New App for Info on Events
Saudi Arabia’s Effat University is inviting students and followers to download a new app to stay updated on university events and news. In a LinkedIn post, the university says the app provides comprehensive information about events and interactive tools for easy event registration and staying connected with the university community.
Events and Conferences:
THE Arab Universities Summit 2025, 25-27 November 2025, Amman. Organised by the British company Times Higher Education (THE), the summit will bring together university leaders from across the region to explore the future of higher education, scientific research, and innovation. The summit will highlight the role of higher education institutions in driving societal progress through applied research, knowledge transfer, and the celebration of cultural diversity. Highlights include the unveiling of the 2025 edition of THE’s Arab University Rankings and the winners of the prestigious THE Awards Arab World 2025, recognising excellence and achievement in the sector.
Egyptian Knowledge Bank Workshops. Free online workshops are now available for undergraduate students, researchers, and faculty members. View the schedule here.
How Erasmus+ Programmes Are Strengthening Higher Ed in Palestine
Despite the dire conditions in Palestine, marked by Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and its intensifying occupation practices in the West Bank, the Erasmus+ National Office in Palestine perseveres in its efforts to support education in Palestine and to provide international opportunities for Palestinian students and youth.
In this article, the director of the European Union-funded office explores the vital role the office plays in strengthening the Palestinian education sector by offering distinguished educational and academic opportunities for students, researchers, and academics. The office, located in Ramallah, also supports higher education institutions, schools, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders engaged in education, vocational training, youth, and sports. Read more here.
Tips and Resources:
How to Excel in International University Entrance Exams
Universities have varying admission requirements. Along with indicators of a student’s academic performance, such as their grade point average (GPA) and scores on high school-exit exams, many international universities and graduate schools also require new students to pass a general admissions exam, a language proficiency exam, plus additional exams in specific subject areas. Al-Fanar Media brings you some tips to help you achieve high scores in university entrance and language proficiency exams like these.
Podcast:
Challenges of a Medical Student
In this episode of Student Sowt, Safa El-Jali shares with us her journey studying medicine in Libya and gives advice to medical students and those considering entering this major.
Student Sowt spotlights the experience of university students and shares their unedited interviews and discussions talking about a range of topics that interests them. The podcast discusses issues such as the experience of medical students, the story of a 40-year old single-mom earning her master’s, bullying, changing a major, sports and more.
Scholarships:
U. of Toronto Opens Applications for Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship.
The University of Toronto is now accepting applications for the prestigious Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, one of the most competitive awards for exceptional international students. Open to citizens of all Arab countries and other international applicants, the scholarship recognises outstanding academic achievement, creativity, and leadership, while supporting students who aspire to make a meaningful global impact. Explore details of this award and other scholarships available to Arab students on Al-Fanar Media’s scholarship database.