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The Department of Korean Language and Literature at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University organized the activities of the sixteenth edition of the Korean Speech Contest at the Middle East and Africa level, during a special celebration marking twenty years since the department’s establishment, in a scene reflecting the scale of its academic and cultural achievements and its regional leadership in the field of Korean language education, under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of the University.

The event was attended by Prof. Yomna Safwat, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun and Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; Mr. Kim Il Hoon, Acting Ambassador of South Korea in Cairo; in addition to several representatives from the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo, as well as university professors and specialists in Korean language education.

The competition witnessed broad participation from students of the Department of Korean Language and Literature at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University, students from the Korean Language Department at Aswan University, as well as learners from King Sejong Institutes, reflecting the growing interest in Korean language and culture in the region and the pivotal role played by the Faculty of Al-Alsun in supporting cultural and academic exchange between Egypt and South Korea.

In her speech, Prof. Yomna Safwat affirmed that the Korean Language Department at the Faculty of Al-Alsun is considered one of the distinguished academic models that succeeded, within a short period, in achieving a strong presence at both the academic and cultural levels. She noted that the continuous successes achieved by the department’s students reflect the efforts exerted by faculty members and teaching assistants, as well as the faculty’s commitment to providing an educational environment that encourages creativity and excellence.

She added that celebrating twenty years since the establishment of the department represents an important milestone in its academic journey and embodies the success of the Faculty of Al-Alsun in building bridges of cultural and intellectual communication with various countries around the world, foremost among them South Korea, affirming the faculty’s continued support for activities and events that contribute to preparing cadres capable of competing regionally and internationally.

The event also highlighted the remarkable development achieved by the Korean Language Department since its establishment in 2005 as the first academic department specializing in the Korean language in the Middle East and Africa region. It has become one of the leading centers for Korean language teaching and Korean studies in the region through undergraduate and postgraduate programs, in addition to the establishment of the King Sejong Institute within the faculty, contributing to the spread of Korean language and culture among students and those interested in Asian studies.

The competition results reflected the outstanding level of the department’s students, as students of the Korean Language Department at Ain Shams University won first place in both the beginner and upper-intermediate levels, affirming the department’s leadership and the excellence of its students in cultural and linguistic forums.

The celebration program included a number of diverse artistic and cultural activities, including Samulnori performances featuring traditional Korean drums, singing and musical performances, in addition to a documentary film reviewing the department’s journey and achievements over twenty years, as well as a theatrical performance presented by the department’s students, reflecting their artistic and cultural talents amid great interaction from the audience.

At the conclusion of the event, the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Ain Shams University expressed its appreciation to all supporting entities and sponsors, foremost among them Samsung, the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo, Manazel PVC Company, and Aseer Al Kotb Publishing House, for their role in supporting student and cultural activities and contributing to the success of the celebration.

The department also extended its thanks to faculty staff, teaching assistants, students, graduates, and everyone who contributed to organizing the event, affirming its continued academic and cultural mission and opening new horizons for students and lovers of Korean language and culture in Egypt and the region.