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As part of Ain Shams University's strategy to maximize the benefits of available international opportunities, promote a culture of internationalization and institutional excellence, expand the horizons of international academic collaboration, and support opportunities for faculty staff, researchers, and students to benefit from academic exchange programs and international grants, the Grants and Projects Department within the International Relations and Academic Cooperation Sector organized a workshop entitled: Your Road to TU Berlin: How to Find a Host Professor and Secure an Erasmus+ Grant. The workshop was held under the auspices of Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Graduate Studies and Research, and in the presence of Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector; Prof. Hoda Sousa, Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Director of the Grants and Projects Department; Dr. Noha Al-Rafai, Deputy Director of the Grants and Projects Department and Coordinator of the European Union's Erasmus+ educational exchange projects; and with the participation of faculty staff, teaching assistants, and administrative staff.

The workshop was held within the framework of the distinguished academic partnership between Ain Shams University and the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), which provides opportunities for faculty staff, postgraduate students, and employees, exchanges through the Erasmus+ program. This contributes to the transfer of expertise, knowledge sharing, and supports the university's goals of achieving institutional excellence and enhancing the quality of scientific research. The Grants and Projects Department within the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector organized and coordinated the workshop.

Prof. Hoda Sousa emphasized that Ain Shams University places great importance on linking scientific research with industry, in line with the state's directives and the vision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to maximize the role of universities in supporting economic development and innovation. She offered the attendees a set of practical tips to enhance their chances of winning international grants, stressing the importance of building a strong academic portfolio, choosing the right research partner, preparing for applications early, and taking advantage of the international collaboration opportunities offered by the university. This contributes to building a cadre capable of competing in global academic forums.

During the workshop, Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady emphasized Ain Shams University's commitment to fostering a culture of internationalization and strengthening international academic cooperation, thereby opening broader horizons for its members to benefit from global educational and research opportunities.

She presented an overview of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration sector, explaining that it comprises five specialized departments working in continuous integration and coordination to provide international cooperation services, support faculties in building academic partnerships, enhance cooperation with international universities and institutions, and receive and support international students, facilitating the services provided to them, thus contributing to an attractive academic environment.

She also called on faculty staff, teaching assistants, and administrators to play an active role in promoting the opportunities offered by the sector and raising awareness among their colleagues, thus ensuring maximum benefit from international programs and initiatives.

She explained that the Grants and Projects Department is one of the sector's main departments, overseeing the Erasmus+ program funded by the European Union. This program provides outstanding opportunities for academic and scientific exchange for faculty staff, postgraduate students, and administrators through competitive grants that facilitate travel, teaching, training, and scientific research, contributing to capacity building, knowledge exchange, and enhanced international academic mobility.

Dr. Noha El-Rafei, Deputy Director of the Grants and Projects Department and Coordinator of the European Union's Erasmus+ educational exchange projects at Ain Shams University, reviewed the application process for Erasmus+ scholarships in cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin). She explained the essential steps that enhance applicants' chances of obtaining an academic exchange scholarship.

She also discussed how to identify a suitable academic specialization and search for faculty staff at TU Berlin through the university's official website and the websites of its faculties and institutes. This helps applicants select a host professor whose research interests align with their academic field.

The workshop also reviewed the application requirements, which include being a faculty staff, a doctoral student, or a member of the administrative staff, possessing a good level of English (at least B1), and outlining the required documents for completing the application process.

The workshop focused on professional communication skills with the host professor, crafting professional emails, highlighting common mistakes that can affect acceptance, and offering a range of practical tips and solutions to increase the chances of securing a hosting agreement and winning an Erasmus+ grant. This supports international academic mobility and enhances research collaboration opportunities between Ain Shams University and European universities.

The workshop included presentations by several Erasmus+ scholarship recipients, who shared their experiences applying for the scholarship, communicating with host professors, and the steps involved in obtaining acceptance. They also shared their experiences during their academic exchange and offered practical advice to enhance their chances of winning international scholarships and maximizing the benefits of their travel and academic collaboration. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session to ensure participants gained maximum insight and had all their questions answered.