English 
As part of the General Command of the Armed Forces' commitment to fostering a sense of loyalty and belonging among youth at Egyptian universities and institutes, Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, and Major General of Staff Osama Abdelhamid Dawoud, Commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces, attended the 85th Cultural Seminar on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, organized by the Armed Forces, represented by the Popular and Military Defense Forces, in cooperation with Alexandria University.
The seminar was attended by retired Major General Hafez Mahmoud Hassan Hafez, former Assistant Chief of Operations of the Armed Forces, the Vice Presidents of Alexandria University, the Popular and Military Defense Forces Authority, the deans and vice deans of faculties and institutes at Alexandria University, families of martyrs, people with disabilities, and university students.
Dr. Konsowa began his speech by congratulating President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian Armed Forces, and the Egyptian people on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the recovery of the beloved Sinai, after years of difficult negotiations led by Egyptian diplomacy with competence after the glorious October victories that marked a turning point in Egypt’s modern history. He expressed his hope that Egypt would achieve all the growth, prosperity, and progress it aspires to under its wise leadership. He added that he is pleased to have his students participate in this distinguished celebration, which confirms the political leadership’s keenness to care for youth and provide the opportunity for our students to participate in these purposeful activities.
Dr. Konsowa stressed the important role played by the Popular and Military Defense Forces in enhancing cooperation with Egyptian universities through organizing educational seminars to raise awareness and develop a sense of nationalism among Egyptian youth in general and university students in particular, instilling a sense of loyalty and belonging among them, and strengthening the love of the homeland and sacrifice for it through these educational seminars that are held continuously in all Egyptian universities. He pointed out that what is currently happening in Egypt in terms of national achievements and projects and the tremendous leap at all levels is no less important than the battles and wars fought by fathers and grandfathers to liberate the homeland, just as the Armed Forces stand on the front line defending the homeland and protecting its people, they also contribute in parallel to various fields of development by implementing many ambitious achievements and projects to support comprehensive development and provide the requirements of a decent life for the Egyptian people. He added that Alexandria University seeks to achieve an ambitious strategy to provide high-quality education and graduate distinguished students, capable of keeping pace with development at the local, regional, and international levels, and to create educational programs for them that keep pace with the rapid development in the needs of the labour market.
At the end of his speech, Dr. Konsowa highlighted to the students the importance of this seminar is to proudly recall and commemorate the heroic deeds and memories of Egypt's heroes of the Armed Forces, learning from their determination, perseverance, and all their lofty values and principles to confront the challenges of our time.
Major General of Staff Osama Abdelhamid Dawoud expressed his great pleasure to be at Alexandria University, and conveyed the greetings of Lieutenant General Abdelmeguid Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces to the attendees. He expressed his pride and honour to be among his students, who represent the bright tomorrow and the promising future, as Egypt has great hopes for them in building the new republic. He explained in his speech that Egypt is now experiencing a state of stability in many areas after facing many challenges and difficulties, which reflects the vision of the enlightened leadership in managing the country's affairs in various international issues. He stressed that Egyptian policy is characterized by balance and wisdom in addressing all issues in a way that achieves the interest of the Egyptian state. He pointed out that Egypt is witnessing a comprehensive and major boom by relying on the knowledge economy to build a generation that thinks and innovates and is capable of building and achieving competitiveness and leadership in implementation of Egypt's Vision 2030. The Commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces also praised the efforts of the Egyptian state in agricultural development, reclamation of desert lands, and the establishment of water desalination plants, modernizing the communications network, developing infrastructure, and investing in reducing climate change. He addressed the students, emphasizing the need to be proud of their affiliation with the Egyptian state, as it is the cradle of the heavenly religions and the country that has transmitted knowledge and science to the entire world. He pointed out that the commemoration of Sinai Liberation Day on April 25th of each year reflects that Egypt's land is a sacred land guarded by valiant heroes from the armed forces who sacrifice everything they have to defend its soil and the unity of its people. He paid tribute to the righteous souls of Egyptian martyrs, emphasizing the political leadership's commitment to commemorating their precious memory in appreciation and gratitude for their pure blood that watered the land of Egypt.
The seminar also included a lecture delivered by retired Major General Hafez Mahmoud Hassan Hafez, former Assistant Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Operations, entitled "Egypt: The Banner and the Flag." Hafez reviewed the history of the defense of Sinai, emphasizing that Sinai is unique, as God Almighty has revealed Himself to it and that it is the cradle of religions and civilizations throughout the ages. He emphasized that the stories of the liberation of Sinai are endless, and emphasized the importance of current generations being aware of the magnitude of the sacrifices and heroism in which the Egyptian army set the most wonderful example of sacrifice and redemption to reclaim the beloved Sinai. With its blood, the Egyptian army wrote an epic written in letters of light, facing all odds to achieve a victory that dazzled the world and became a symbol of pride and dignity, recounted by generations to come.
The celebration included theatrical performances and patriotic songs performed by the Alexandria University Choir. The university president and the commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces also honoured a number of families of martyrs who sacrificed their lives and pure blood for the sake of the glory, honour, and dignity of this nation. In addition, a group of students with special needs who participated in theatrical performances, were honoured.
The university president and the commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces exchanged commemorative shields, and the seminar concluded with playing the national anthem of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
