Created: 16 October 2025

As part of its efforts to strengthen international cooperation with leading global universities, and under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, the university received a delegation from Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg Campus (Penn State Harrisburg), USA, at the university’s main administration headquarters in El Shatby, to explore potential avenues for academic partnership between the two institutions.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Hesham Saeed, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research; Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Hakim, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Dr. Affaf Al-Oufi, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Dr. Gehan Gweifel, Assistant to the University President for Internationalization and International Branches; Prof. Dr. Walid Abdel Azim, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Dr. Omnia Yaqout, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Commerce for Graduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Tarras, Coordinator of Internationalization at the Faculty of Engineering.

The Penn State delegation included Prof. Dr. David M. Callejo Pérez, Advisor to Penn State Harrisburg; Prof. Dr. Juliette Tolay, Assistant Dean for International Engagement; and Prof. Dr. Nashwa El-Araby, Professor and Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Electrical Engineering.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the possibility of establishing dual-degree programs between the two universities and reviewed potential areas of academic and research collaboration in various disciplines. The session also featured presentations introducing both institutions, highlighting their distinguished academic and research programs. Both parties emphasized the importance of exchanging academic and research expertise and expanding cooperation to support the internationalization of education and enhance the quality of higher education and scientific research in both universities.

Prof. Dr. Gehan Gweifel delivered a presentation outlining Alexandria University’s strategy and vision for internationalization, showcasing its partnerships with globally ranked institutions and its joint and dual-degree programs with leading international universities. She also reviewed the university’s international branches, research strategy, performance in global rankings, and efforts to establish international partnerships to support the Alexandria University Technology Valley, linking scientific research outcomes to industry needs.

Prof. Dr. Walid Abdel Azim presented an overview of the Faculty of Engineering, its academic programs, human and material resources, departments, and laboratories, as well as the history of its establishment. He also highlighted the Faculty of Engineering Journal, which ranks among the top internationally indexed scientific journals, and reviewed the college’s global partnerships and international agreements.

The American delegation, in turn, presented an overview of Penn State Harrisburg, highlighting its academic and research programs, international partnerships, and student exchange initiatives. They showcased the university’s exceptional physical and human resources, including its advanced infrastructure and extensive international agreements. The delegation noted that Penn State maintains 17 cooperation agreements with 8 global universities, emphasizing its position as one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States. They also discussed its wide range of academic programs and advanced research laboratories that conduct joint projects in collaboration with global research institutions and companies. The delegation expressed great interest in expanding cooperation with Alexandria University in education, research, and faculty and student exchanges, particularly in various engineering disciplines.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Faculty of Engineering as part of efforts to activate academic collaboration between the two universities in preparation for launching 4+1 Dual Degree Programs in several engineering fields. A large seminar was held in Lecture Hall (1) at the Preparatory Building, attended by Prof. Dr. Walid El-Borqi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Dr. Wael El-Mogallany, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Dr. Essam Wahba, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Tarras, Director of the International Relations Office, along with faculty members and students from various departments.

During the seminar, the Penn State delegation presented a detailed overview of the proposed dual-degree programs and the admission mechanisms, while discussing future academic and research cooperation opportunities between the two universities.

The seminar witnessed strong student engagement, as attendees actively participated with questions and inquiries about the study system at the American university, scholarship opportunities, and available academic support — reflecting a constructive and enriching atmosphere of cultural and academic exchange.

Created: 16 October 2025

As part of Alexandria University’s commitment to promoting cultural awareness and encouraging students to read and explore knowledge, and under the patronage of Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, and the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, the university organized — in cooperation with “Scientific Research for Investment” — the launch of the National Reading Project at the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Medicine.

In her speech, Dr. Affaf Al-Oufi, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, affirmed that this project is one of the pioneering initiatives that contribute to building the Egyptian individual culturally and intellectually. She stressed that Alexandria University attaches great importance to initiatives that promote cultural awareness and positive values among its students, noting that reading is the cornerstone for building an enlightened generation capable of leading the future.

For his part, Dr. Tamer Abdallah, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, stated that the college’s participation in the project’s activities stems from its role in developing students’ intellectual and human skills alongside their academic ones. He emphasized that this initiative represents an important step toward strengthening the culture of reading among the students of the Faculty of Medicine and the university as a whole.

Dr. Lamia El-Shafie, Coordinator of Volunteer Activities and General Coordinator of the National Reading Project at Alexandria University, pointed out that reading broadens students’ horizons and refines their personalities, adding that it is one of the most important initiatives that enhance students’ cultural awareness and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Dr. Abdo Ibrahim, Director of Educational Projects and Quality at Scientific Research for Investment, delivered a presentation introducing students to the competition’s rules and categories. He encouraged them to participate actively in the project, which aims to instill the habit of reading across all segments of society and to promote appreciation of the Arabic language and knowledge.

The award includes three main categories:

The Diamond Award, worth 1,000,000 EGP

The Gold Award, worth 500,000 EGP

The Silver Award, worth 250,000 EGP

At the end of the event, participating students in the accompanying cultural competition were honored and presented with gifts from Scientific Research for Investment in recognition of their outstanding participation. The event concluded in an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and a shared passion for reading and learning.

Attending the event were Dr. Iman Youssef, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Education and Student Affairs, and Dr. Alaa Janib, the Prince of Poets.

Created: 15 October 2025

As part of the strategy of Alexandria University and Alexandria National University to promote international openness and strengthen collaboration with leading global institutions, Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University and Acting President of Alexandria National University, and Dr. Mohamed Nasr El-Din Demir, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alexandria National University, paid an official visit to the United Kingdom.

The visit featured a comprehensive program of meetings with several distinguished British universities and the signing of new cooperation agreements in the fields of education, scientific research, and innovation.

During the visit, two academic and research cooperation agreements were signed between Alexandria University, Alexandria National University, and the University of East London (UEL) at the Egyptian Cultural Centre in London, in the presence of Ambassador Ashraf Sweilam, Egypt’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr. Rasha Hussein, the Egyptian Cultural Attaché, and senior officials from the University of East London.

The agreements include the establishment of joint academic programs granting dual degrees, the harmonization of academic quality standards, and the promotion of academic and student exchange. They also focus on collaboration in innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and curriculum development aligned with international standards and global labor market requirements.

Prof. Konsowa affirmed that these agreements represent a new step toward the internationalization of higher education and the provision of global learning opportunities for students and faculty members. He noted that the partnership with the University of East London builds on Alexandria University’s ongoing success in establishing strategic collaborations with prestigious international institutions.

For his part, Dr. Demir emphasized that these agreements mark a qualitative leap in Alexandria National University’s pursuit of effective international partnerships, offering students a world-class educational experience that equips them to compete in the global labor market and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The visit also included a field tour of the Royal Docks Sustainability Hub at the University of East London, as well as the Sugarcrete Lab, Maker Club, and several innovation facilities, where discussions focused on advancing creativity-based education and strengthening the link between scientific research and practical application.

As part of the visit, Prof. Konsowa and Dr. . Demir also visited the University of Essex, where they discussed mechanisms for cooperation between the two universities—and other global partners—to establish a Regional Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence at the Technology Park of Alexandria University. They also explored the activation of new dual-degree programs among the three universities (Alexandria, Alexandria National, and Essex) in fields such as Digital Dentistry, Artificial Intelligence, Computer and Engineering Sciences, Business, Economics, and Political Science, through flexible models like (2+1), (3+1), and (4+1).

Both sides discussed potential research collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Cybersecurity, and visited several of Essex’s research facilities, including the Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, and a number of specialized laboratories.

This visit comes as part of Alexandria University’s ongoing efforts to enhance its international presence and develop its academic and research programs in line with global trends in higher education, reaffirming its leading role in promoting innovation and academic excellence.

Created: 09 October 2025

As part of Alexandria University’s commitment, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, to strengthening international cooperation and enhancing the quality of higher education, students of the Faculty of Engineering enrolled in the dual degree program between Alexandria University and the University of Essex have commenced their studies for the third consecutive year at the University of Essex. The program covers two specializations: Computer and Communication Engineering, and Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering.

This program comes within the framework of the agreement signed between the two universities, which offers students the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Alexandria University and a Master’s degree from the University of Essex under the (4+1) system. Students study for four years at Alexandria University, followed by one academic year at the University of Essex to complete the requirements for the Master’s degree.

It is worth mentioning that the current academic year marks the graduation of the second cohort of students who joined the University of Essex within this distinguished partnership between the two universities. The program reflects Alexandria University’s dedication to academic openness to international institutions, providing exceptional educational opportunities for its students, and contributing to the preparation of graduates capable of competing in the global labor market by combining solid engineering education with advanced international experience.