As part of Alexandria University’s commitment to supporting and empowering African youth, expanding academic, scientific, and cultural cooperation with African countries, and strengthening its international and African presence in a manner that contributes to building sustainable bridges of cooperation between Egypt and its African brothers and sisters, Alexandria University participated in the graduation ceremony of the 14th cohort of the African Youth for Development Program. The ceremony was organized by the Sustainable Development Studies, Youth Capacity Building and African Relations Support Program at the Academic Research Sector of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and was held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Conference Center.

Alexandria University was represented at the ceremony by Prof. Dr. Jehan Gouifel, Assistant President of Alexandria University for Internationalization and International Branches, on behalf of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Acting President of the University.

The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Mohamed Karim Sherif, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Ambassador Wael El-Naggar, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Cultural Relations; Ambassador Wetch Morkel Mobia, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia; Prof. Dr. Marwa El-Wakil, Head of the Academic Research Sector at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Ms. Heba El-Refai, Head of the External Relations and Media Sector at the Library; and Dr. Reham Abdel Hamid, Director of the Sustainable Development Studies, Youth Capacity Building and African Relations Support Program, in addition to a number of participants and African youth graduates.

Ambassador Mohamed Karim Sherif affirmed Egypt’s commitment to cooperation with African countries and to direct investment in the continent’s youth, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in their communities and enabling young people to access the best opportunities for education and skills development. He emphasized that the future of the continent depends entirely on the capabilities of its youth.

In her speech, delivered on behalf of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Acting President of Alexandria University, Prof. Dr. Jehan Gouifel affirmed the University’s pride in its role in supporting and empowering African youth and strengthening academic and cultural cooperation with African countries. She highlighted the importance of investing in young people’s capabilities, developing education and enhancing skills to address the challenges facing the continent and support the objectives of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063.

She further affirmed the University’s continued role as a bridge for communication, academic exchange, and capacity building with African countries. She congratulated the 14th cohort of graduates and called on them to apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired in serving their communities and promoting cooperation and friendship between Egypt and their respective countries.

Dr. Ahmed Zayed expressed his pride in the level reached by the African youth graduates and their ability to face challenges and succeed in various fields. He also emphasized the role of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as a cultural and scientific platform for sharing ideas, perspectives, and expertise, preparing graduates for the future labor market, and equipping them with the skills necessary to compete in the job market and build a promising future for their local communities.