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Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, and Prof. Amani Osama Kamel, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, attended a discussion session on international contributions at the 13th Ain Shams University Scientific Conference, "75 Years of Leadership... An Eye on the Past, a Sun Enlightens the Future."

The session was moderated by Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Director of the International Students and Mobility Office and a representative of the International Cooperation Sector at Ain Shams University. The session hosted Dr. Dina Karam, Head of Programs at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Fatma Soliman, Deputy Head of the Cairo Office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and Prof. Camelia Sobhi, Member of the Egyptian Senate in the Education, Scientific Research, Communications and Information Technology Committee, Cultural Attaché and then Cultural Counselor at the Egyptian Embassy in Paris, former Head of the Central Administration for Cultural Sections and Committees at the Supreme Council of Culture, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture, Head of the National Center for Translation, former Head of the External Cultural Relations Sector at the Ministry of Culture, former Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Professor of French Language at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, at Ain Shams University.

The session also hosted Prof. Shahira Samir, Vice President for International Relations and Strategic Planning at the Knowledge Hub Universities Foundation (TKH), Executive Director of the International Relations Sector at Ain Shams University, former Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development at the Faculty of Medicine, and Professor of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University; Prof. Mohamed Samir Hamza, Head of the Education Partnerships Support Project at the American University, Assistant Secretary-General for International Relations at the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities, and Cultural Counselor in Washington, USA for two terms, and Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, at Ain Shams University; and Prof. Amr El-Etreby, Vice President of Badr University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, former Cultural Counselor of Egypt in Vienna, Cultural Attaché in London, former Dean of the Faculty of Business, and Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Business, at Ain Shams University. Prof. Nasser Abdel Aal, Director of the Confucius Institute at Ain Shams University, former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun for Education and Student Affairs, Professor of Chinese Language, former Consul for Tourism Affairs at the Egyptian Consulate General in Shanghai, former Tourism Counselor at the Egyptian Embassy in Beijing, and former Advisor to the Minister of Tourism for Asian Markets Affairs.

The session began with a short video commemorating Ain Shams University faculty staff who have worked in the field of international cooperation and contributed to international relations. This video highlighted the university's wealth of soft power and cultural diplomacy in countries around the world, enabling it to build bridges of academic and intellectual communication with universities worldwide.

Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady then reviewed the history of the International Cooperation Sector, its establishment since 2020, the five departments under its jurisdiction, the sector's development, and the tasks of each department: The Department of International Cooperation, the Department of International Students, the Department of Grants and Projects, the Department of the Alumni Association, and the Department of International Classification.

The discussion then revolved around building on international contributions—past successes and promising opportunities; partnerships with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), cooperation with France, the United Kingdom, and China, the evolution of international cooperation strategies over the years, and future opportunities.

The guests spoke about outstanding and shining examples of international partnerships. Prof. Shahira Samir reviewed the importance of exchanging international expertise in professor exchanges, along with student scholarships between different universities around the world, citing the example of the JICA scholarships for medical students.

Dr. Dina Karam also pointed to the development of the partnership between Egypt and Japan since President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Japan. Since then, bilateral relations have witnessed remarkable development, especially in the field of student scholarships.

Dr. Fatima Soliman then spoke about the significant and ongoing efforts required to establish an international partnership to award joint degrees. She preferred that this be preceded by lower-level cooperation, such as student scholarships or joint academic supervision, paving the way for a larger partnership.

She also emphasized that Ain Shams University's distinguished reputation makes the DAAD welcome partnerships and grants to its students.

Prof. Samir Hamza stated that it is essential to define a goal for the partnership and outline detailed steps to achieve it, so that we can measure the extent of the partnership's success and achieve its stated goal.

Prof. Camelia Sobhi also emphasized the importance of long-term strategic plans and their implementation through simpler, practical plans. She also emphasized the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence and technological sciences, leveraging interdisciplinary sciences across the humanities, social sciences, and other sciences, and investing in artificial intelligence, as it is one of the most important tools of our time.

Prof. Amr El-Etreby pointed out that international references are part of the national strategy, the implementation of which is being embraced by various ministries. Therefore, we must benefit from the various education systems around the world. He added that we must further promote the culture of scholarship among our students, while educating them about the need to be ambassadors for our nation and culture; a generation that carries the Egyptian identity and spreads it throughout the world.

Prof. Nasser Abdel Aal discussed the outstanding partnerships between Ain Shams University and Chinese universities, citing the Luban Workshop model, whose success China is proud of and considers a model to emulate in its partnerships around the world.

The discussion concluded by emphasizing the importance of having an organized working group for each signed partnership to monitor its implementation, overcome any challenges facing implementation on the ground, and facilitate the continuation of cooperation over the long term.

The session recommended facilitating the logistical steps for implementing agreements and the importance of a strong network for exchanging information at various levels, including cultural diplomacy and students with previous experience in scholarships and study abroad.

The session also recommended the necessity of integrating and involving the private sector in financing companies and investing in modern technology and artificial intelligence in various scientific fields.

The importance of spreading awareness and promoting the culture of scholarships to and from Eastern countries such as China and India to benefit from their technological and research development.

At the conclusion of the session, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen presented the conference commemorative shield to Prof. Camelia Sobhi, Prof. Mohamed Samir Hamza, and Prof. Amr El-Etreby in appreciation and pride for their efforts in Egyptian diplomacy.

He also honored the guests Dr. Dina Karam, Dr. Fatima Soliman, Prof. Camelia Sobhi, Prof. Shahira Samir, and Prof. Nasser Abdel Aal in appreciation of their participation and enrichment of the session.