A S U

As part of the Egyptian state’s vision to preserve its rich antiquities and long-standing history, and in conjunction with the Egyptian people’s celebrations of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the course on the Law for the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage will be introduced at the Faculty of Law during the 2025–2026 academic year, affirming Ain Shams University’s commitment to serving and safeguarding Egypt’s cultural heritage.

For the first time, the Faculty of Law is offering a specialized undergraduate course taught in English for students enrolled in the English-language credit-hour program. This course, Law for the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, has been designed with careful consideration to various factors, foremost among them the preparation of qualified legal professionals capable of engaging with different legal systems around the world, thereby enhancing Egypt’s capacity to recover its antiquities abroad.

The course aims to achieve several objectives, including raising and strengthening collective awareness among Egyptians about the importance of their antiquities and cultural heritage, highlighting the role of legislation in preserving and protecting these antiquities from encroachment or theft, and in facilitating the repatriation of Egyptian artifacts held overseas, explaining the scope and application of relevant laws in terms of subject matter, persons, and jurisdiction, clarifying the nature of the legal rules governing antiquities protection and the roles of the competent authorities responsible for implementing and enforcing these laws, outlining the legal mechanisms available to ensure effective protection and enforcement.

Moreover, the course sheds light on the stance of Islamic jurisprudence and Egyptian legislation regarding the ownership of antiquities, as well as the international legal frameworks and conventions that regulate and support the recovery of Egyptian antiquities abroad.