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Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, chaired the first main session of the 19th session of the International Higher Education and Training Forum and Exhibition EDUGATE 2026, which was held under the title “Designing Human-Centered and AI-Supported Specializations to Serve the Knowledge Economy”, within the framework of the forum held this year under the slogan “Towards the Universities of the Future”, under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Association of Arab Universities.

The session came to emphasize the importance of the role that universities play in reshaping the higher education system in line with rapid global transformations. It discussed the future of academic disciplines in light of the growing development of artificial intelligence technologies, and mechanisms for preparing graduates who possess the skills necessary to compete in the knowledge economy, while preserving human values and skills as an essential element in building the future of education.

The session was attended by a select group of academic leaders and experts, including Prof. Obada Sarhan, President of Future University in Egypt, Prof. Ashraf Hatem, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Jalala University, Prof. Alaa Abu Al-Futouh, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Alexandria University and a Fulbright Program graduate, Prof. Amina Al-Halawani, Professor of English Language and Comparative Literature at Alexandria University and a Fulbright Program graduate, in addition to the representative of the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Egypt, and the educational advisor of the Republic of Türkiye.

The session featured extensive discussions on key global trends in higher education development, most notably the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics across various disciplines, and the shift from traditional knowledge-transfer-based education systems to competency-based learning models that align with the evolving needs of the labor market.

The session also addressed the growing role of micro-credits and flexible lifelong learning pathways in developing human capital, and reviewed the most in-demand skills for future jobs. This will enhance universities’ ability to develop more flexible and innovative academic programs, equipping their graduates to compete regionally and internationally.

Prof Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen’s chairmanship of this opening session underscores Ain Shams University’s leading role in guiding the dialogue on the future of higher education and its active role in supporting the transformation towards more innovative universities, capable of keeping pace with the technological revolution and cultivating generations equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ability to innovate in a rapidly changing world.