A S U

Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, and Prof. Marwa Khalifa, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, paid an academic visit to the Faculty of Architecture at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria as part of efforts to strengthen international academic cooperation and explore avenues for expanding the strategic partnership between the two universities.

During the visit, meetings were held with students and graduates of Ain Shams University currently studying at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria under the dual degree program, which is considered one of the leading models of international academic cooperation in the field of architecture. The program reflects the university’s vision toward the internationalization of education and aligning its outcomes with European and international standards.

This partnership began in 2018, when the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University signed an academic cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Architecture at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, one of Italy’s leading institutions specializing in architecture. The agreement was designed to offer students a dual degree that combines a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Ain Shams University with a master’s degree in architecture from the Italian university.

The program enables students to study for three years at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, followed by two academic years at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria in Italy, providing them with international academic and professional experience that qualifies them to compete in the global labor market.

Over the past years, the program has achieved remarkable success, graduating nearly 100 students with dual degrees. Many of them are currently working at leading architectural consultancy firms and design companies across Europe, while others continue their academic journeys by pursuing doctoral studies at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria.

The academic cooperation between the two universities also resulted in Egypt’s distinguished participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 through the “NiLab” project, which received wide international praise and recognition. This achievement reflects the outstanding academic caliber of students and graduates of the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University and their ability to compete and innovate on the global stage.

This partnership comes within the framework of Ain Shams University’s strategy to strengthen openness to leading international universities and provide advanced educational and research opportunities that contribute to preparing qualified professionals capable of shaping the future of architecture and sustainable development both locally and internationally.