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Minister of Higher Education Witnesses the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to Establish an International Branch of Alexandria University in South Sudan
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding to establish an international branch of Alexandria University in Tonj and in Juba, South Sudan, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Special Education Building in New Cairo.
Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of this memorandum in enhancing scientific and cultural cooperation between Egypt and South Sudan, noting that the establishment of an international branch of Alexandria University in South Sudan will open new horizons for cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, and Dr. Gabriel Changson Chang, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of South Sudan.
The memorandum of understanding aims to establish an international branch of Alexandria University in the city of Tonj and in the capital, Juba, in the Republic of South Sudan, within the framework of Egypt’s keenness to support development efforts in South Sudan, assist it in building its human capabilities, and enable it to achieve its development goals, by providing a set of cooperation programs in the fields of (agriculture, veterinary medicine, education, nursing, engineering, business, biotechnology), in addition to other programs according to the needs and requirements of development in the Republic of South Sudan.
The memorandum of understanding also stipulates that students will be accepted into any of the programs in accordance with the admission rules decided by Alexandria University, and if funding is available, some outstanding students may be allowed to spend an academic year at Alexandria University in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Alexandria University will develop courses that are compatible with the Egyptian National Qualifications Framework, so that the student studying at the university’s branch in South Sudan will obtain an educational experience similar to studying at the mother university within the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Alexandria University is also committed to providing faculty and administrative members to manage the programs provided by the branch, in addition to cooperating in organizing programs to develop and build the capabilities of leaders among citizens of the Republic of South Sudan.
During the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding, Dr. Ayman Ashour expressed his pleasure at signing this memorandum, stressing Egypt’s keenness to support education in South Sudan and provide higher education opportunities for students there, noting that establishing a branch of Alexandria University in South Sudan will play a major role in promoting relations between the two countries.
For his part, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of South Sudan expressed his thanks and appreciation to Egypt for its continued support for South Sudan in various fields, stressing the importance of this memorandum in developing higher education in his country.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa stressed that the establishment of a branch of Alexandria University in South Sudan will have a major positive impact on higher education there, as it will provide higher education opportunities for students there in various specializations, in addition to enhancing academic and research cooperation between Egyptian universities and universities in South Sudan.
On the sidelines of signing the memorandum of understanding, the two sides discussed the executive program signed between the two countries. The program includes providing scholarships to South Sudanese students, as well as scholarships offered annually to undergraduate and postgraduate students from South Sudan to study in Egypt.
Dr. Ayman Ashour indicated that the Ministry is fully prepared to provide the necessary facilities to students of South Sudan studying in Egypt, as well as to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Egyptian universities and their counterparts in South Sudan in many disciplines.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides expressed their pleasure at signing the memorandum of understanding, stressing the importance of joint cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research.
The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding was witnessed on the Egyptian side by Dr. Sherif Saleh, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, Dr. Ibrahim Rehab, Advisor to the President of Alexandria University for African Affairs, Ambassador Tamer El-Meligy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Howaida Ezzat, Director General of the General Administration of the Ministry’s Information Office, and from South Sudan, Mr. Gatluk Shawish Nyawela, Acting Ambassador, Mr. Yugo Edwar, Legal Adviser, Mr. Charles Magic Chong, Director of Training at the Ministry, and Mr. Michael Manyang Ngong, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy.
Inauguration of “Interdisciplinary and Cross-Disciplinary Studies in Higher Education” Seminar at Institute of Graduate Studies and Research
Under the auspices of Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, the university hosted the Egyptian National Interdisciplinary Network (ENIN), to hold a symposium on “Interdisciplinary Studies in Higher Education,” in the conference hall of the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research. The event was attended by Dr. Hesham Saeed, Vice President of Alexandria University for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Ahmed Abdelrehim, Acting Dean of the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Boshra Salem, Network Coordinator, Assistant President of the University for International University Ranking, and a group of researchers in various disciplines and those interested in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary sciences from various Egyptian universities.
In his speech, Dr. Hesham Saeed confirmed that the symposium aims at defining a vision, strategies, and future outlook for interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary and transient sciences, noting that this symposium is the second, as the first meeting was in May 2023 in Cairo under the patronage of Professor Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in cooperation With the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, during which the Egyptian National Interdisciplinary Network was announced.
Dr. Saeed added that the need for multidisciplinary curricula has become more urgent than ever before, as collective efforts and interdisciplinary, diverse, and overlapping disciplines can shape the path of knowledge and create significant, meaningful changes and impacts. He pointed out that interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary sciences are considered an important field that brings together many different disciplines and scientific fields that interact with each other, and cooperate to solve problems and explore complex topics that transcend the boundaries of traditional disciplines.
He added that through this type of science, methods and concepts from different disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and biostatistics are employed to understand the natural phenomena in a deeper and broader way, as well as concepts and approaches in various fields such as medicine, engineering and computers to produce innovative solutions to scientific problems, and to enhance cooperation between researchers and specialists in multiple fields in order to face current global challenges and achieve progress and prosperity in various scientific fields and human technology.
Dr. Saeed stressed that biochemistry, nanoscience, and biology neuroscience are some of the interdisciplinary fields that have grown into their own specializations. He added that trans-science is one through which non-academic stakeholders can be involved in the knowledge production process and is considered a promising idea for addressing the world's most pressing issues, knowledge production and decision-making.
While Dr. Boshra Salem gave a presentation on the Egyptian National Interdisciplinary Network (ENIN), and its scope and objectives. Salem indicated that interdisciplinary sciences have an important and vital role in confronting many of the phenomena occurring in the world, such as the phenomenon of climate change, which requires cooperation between different disciplines to reach innovative solutions involving relevant experts. She pointed out that the network aspires to achieve cooperation between Egyptian universities in the interdisciplinary sciences to deal with complex challenges that individual disciplines are unable to deal with. She also added that Alexandria University seeks to activate this idea by hosting the Egyptian National Interdisciplinary Network in Universities is in its first activity since its launch in May 2023, with the aim of disseminating the idea of interdisciplinary programs in higher education, especially since it is one of the pillars of the 2030 Strategy of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Inauguration of 43rd Edition of Scout Festival and 15th Guidance Course for Alexandria University’s Rover Scouts
Under the auspices of Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, Dr. Ali Abdelmohsen, Acting Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, inaugurated today, Sunday, February 25, 2024, the 43rd edition of the Scout Festival and the 15th guidance course for the Alexandria University’s rover scouts, held at the youth city stadium in Abu Qir, with the participation of 380 male and female rover scouts from 19 faculties of Alexandria University. The festival activities continue over 9 days.
In his speech, Dr. Abdelmohsen thanked the deans, vice deans and students participating in the festival, the General Administration of Youth Welfare, the Rover Scouts Administration, and the supervisors of all faculties for the successful organization that confirms the success of teamwork. He extended his thanks on behalf of Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of the University for all the rover scouts’ teams within Alexandria University. He pointed out that the university is sparing no effort in providing all forms of support to its students, hoping for an increase in student activities during the schoolyear. In the same context, he inspected the campgrounds of Alexandria University’s rover scouts’ teams, which displays basic models of daily living.
Several seminars are scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the festival, the most important of which is the “Symposium on Drug Addiction” to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs on the health of our youth, which is organized by the Preventive Affairs Department, Health Education Department at the university.
President of Alexandria University Discusses Enhancing Means of Cooperation with Science, Technology and Development Fund Delegation
Yesterday, Thursday, February 22, 2024, Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, received Dr. Walaa Sheta, Executive Director of the Science, Technology and Development Fund (STDF) and members of STDF’s Scientific Committee, in the presence of the Executive Director of the University’s Project Management Unit and a number of researchers at the University, to learn about the experience of Alexandria University in developing areas of scientific research and linking them to industry, and to review the STDF’s plan and new programs in the coming period.
In his speech, Dr. Konsowa stressed the need to consolidate the concept of “knowledge-based industry” among researchers, and to direct scientific research to serve society and find solutions to the challenges facing economic growth, in order to achieve the state’s sustainable development goals, “Egypt Vision 2030.” The university president referred to the experience of Alexandria University in establishing the Technology Park, to be a nucleus for strengthening the concept of knowledge-based industry by linking the outputs of scientific research with industry, transforming the results of this research into products of economic value, and establishing companies based on the outputs of scientific research owned by Alexandria University.
Dr. Konsowa pointed out the importance of the (Alliance and Development) initiative launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to enhance scientific and research cooperation between Egyptian universities, the industrial and business community, and productive institutions, and implement them through the seven regional alliances, and their positive role in building comprehensive development and coming up with development plans emanating from each local region. He also referred to the Centre for Water Excellence at Alexandria University and its role in carrying out water-related research projects and providing innovative solutions to serve society. He also praised the effective role played by the STDF in supporting distinguished research projects and centres in Egyptian universities, and its adoption of a strategy to support applied research and link scientific research, industry, and community development, as well as supporting the innovative capabilities of researchers in various disciplines.
While Dr. Walaa Sheta praised the experience of Alexandria University and its relations with industry, and its success in transforming its research output into products of economic value that add to the Egyptian economy, as well as its pioneering role in spreading the culture of entrepreneurship, supporting economic growth, and establishing companies based on the outputs of scientific research owned by the University. He also stressed that the necessity to benefit from this experience and the need to highlight new programs for Science, Technology and Development Fund to finance.
Sheta also gave a detailed presentation on STDF’s most prominent activities, noting that it has signed 18 international agreements. He added that STDF is also working to support applied research and link universities with industry, as it has signed a cooperation agreement with the German side to support industry and scientific research.
Several researchers at Alexandria University presented the results of their projects that were funded by the Science, Technology, and Development Fund, in the medical, engineering, and agricultural fields, and their contribution to providing solutions to serve society and industry.
President of Alexandria University Meets President of Agricultural Bank of Egypt to Discuss Means to Enhance Cooperation
Within the framework of coordination between Alexandria University and the Agricultural Bank of Egypt to enhance aspects of cooperation to contribute to achieving sustainable development and supporting the national economy, Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, and Mr. Alaa Farouk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, met to discuss ways of cooperation between the two sides in the fields of agricultural development, livestock development, and land reclamation in the border governorates and new development areas. The main headquarters of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt hosted the second session of the discussions, and the results of the first meeting that brought together the two sides at the headquarters of Alexandria University were confirmed.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Sami Abdelsadek, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, and several university leaders and bank officials.
During the meeting, Dr. Konsowa stressed that the meeting comes with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the results of scientific research produced by Alexandria University in the fields of agricultural development, livestock development and land reclamation, and making the most of the financing opportunities provided by the Bank and opening new horizons for investment and stimulating production in new development areas. He emphasized the importance of integration and cooperation between the university and the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, which helps provide a local product capable of competing in global markets.
Dr. Konsowa stressed that the university is also keen on promoting the culture of entrepreneurship and developing students’ skills in this field, as it has established several innovation and entrepreneurship centres and career development centres, in cooperation with the American University in Cairo. He added that Alexandria University has modified and developed its study programs to include courses specifically for entrepreneurship, and to enhance the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit among students, with the aim of developing students’ skills in the field of entrepreneurship and enabling them to transform their ideas and plans into real projects that contribute to the development of the local economy and the creation of job opportunities.
Mr. Alaa Farouk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, expressed the bank’s keenness to strengthen ties and continue cooperation with all state institutions, enabling the bank to exercise its development role in serving all productive sectors, especially in the agricultural sector and livestock development, to support the national economy and achieve sustainable development. Farouk praised the level of relations with all universities and research centres to benefit from the academic expertise of those bodies in achieving agricultural development, stressing that Alexandria University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and a scientific beacon replete with great academic expertise in various fields. He pointed out that the successive meetings with the President of Alexandria University aim at creating new cooperation opportunities between the bank and the university, to achieve the maximum benefit from the partnership that combines the university’s academic expertise with the financing opportunities provided by the bank, thus opening new horizons for investment and stimulating production in new development areas.
He added that this comes in addition to the bank’s contribution to supporting and financing national initiatives and projects to support agricultural production, in implementation of the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, to achieve comprehensive development, maximize the benefit from the agricultural sector, and enhance its contribution to the national economy.
Farouk stressed that the Agricultural Bank of Egypt also aims to cooperate with Alexandria University in promoting financial inclusion, spreading financial culture to all university categories, stimulating business entrepreneurship among students, and encouraging them to launch their small and medium enterprises in the fields of agriculture, agricultural processing, and digital and technological innovation, in order to activate its role in developing the capabilities of young people and providing them with financing opportunities that contribute to providing job opportunities and improving the standard of living within their communities.