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Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, participated in the “Global South Modernization Forum 2026,” hosted in Cairo on Wednesday, September 30, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Modernization of Global South Countries,” with the participation of a distinguished group of experts and researchers from China and several countries around the world.

The forum was jointly organized by the State Council Information Office of China, the National Academy of Governance, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Cairo University, with the aim of promoting academic dialogue and exchanging expertise on pathways to modernization for Global South countries in the age of artificial intelligence.

Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen participated in the forum’s opening session alongside Prof. Hong Dayong, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Prof. Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of Egypt. The session was chaired by Prof. Huang Yiping, Dean of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at Peking University.

During the session, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen highlighted Ain Shams University’s efforts to harness artificial intelligence to serve people and advance development. He referred to the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Medical Artificial Intelligence and the application of AI in diagnosis, personalized medicine, and scientific research.

He emphasized that the University seeks to move beyond merely using technology toward localizing it and developing its own models. In this context, he noted that Ain Shams University had signed a cooperation protocol with Telecom Egypt to operate an AI-powered educational platform targeting 10,000 students and faculty members.

He stressed that digital transformation requires the integration of human capabilities, infrastructure, partnerships, and policies. He also highlighted the outstanding international achievements of Ain Shams University students, who won two Grand Prizes at the Huawei ICT Competition 2025–2026.

Prof. Zain El-Abedeen also reviewed the University’s academic and research cooperation with Chinese universities, including Fudan University, Renmin University of China, and Tsinghua University, as well as the role of the Confucius Institute in promoting cultural and academic exchange. Discussions also addressed the proposed establishment of a center for humanities studies in Cairo.

Through one main session and four parallel sessions, the forum addressed a range of issues related to leveraging artificial intelligence to advance development. These included enhancing the role of AI in empowering various sectors, improving public well-being, supporting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, strengthening the foundations of digital security, and addressing both the digital divide and the AI divide.

Discussions underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation among Global South countries in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, as well as promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Such cooperation would contribute to developing more integrated pathways toward development and modernization while harnessing the opportunities offered by emerging technologies to address future challenges.

The event was attended by Prof. Rasha Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences; Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector; and Dr. Engy Noah, Director of the International Cooperation Department at Ain Shams University.

Ain Shams University’s participation in the forum reflects its vision of supporting the role of universities as key drivers of national development. In April 2026, the University organized its 14th International Conference, entitled “Universities as Engines of National Development: Towards Innovation and Sustainable Economic Growth.” The conference featured specialized sessions on artificial intelligence and digital transformation in education, scientific research, and innovation, reflecting the University’s commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation and harnessing modern technologies to advance education, research, innovation, and sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the forum, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen held a meeting with representatives of Renmin University of China to discuss a proposed Egyptian Chinese research center at Ain Shams University specializing in relevant fields of study. The proposed center aims to broaden academic and research cooperation between the two sides and develop joint research projects in priority areas.