A S U

The activities of the ninth and tenth phases of the “Children’s University” program at Ain Shams University have begun, which will continue for two weeks, starting from August 16, under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Mamdouh Moawad, Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Graduate Studies and Research.

This was in the presence of Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector, Prof. Rehab Hussein, Deputy Executive Director of the Children’s University Program at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Prof. Rasha Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Computers and Information, Prof. Huda Sousa, Director of the Grants and Projects Department in the International Relations Sector, Dr. Noha Al-Rafei, Deputy Director of the Grants and Projects Department in the International Relations and Academic Cooperation Sector and Coordinator of the Children’s University at Ain Shams University, in addition to the Children’s University coordinators in the participating faculties.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady emphasized that the "Children's University" represents a pioneering model for fostering creativity and supporting scientific talent from a young age. She expressed her gratitude to parents for their awareness and commitment to providing this opportunity for their children.

She also thanked the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology for its ongoing support of the program and its dedication to developing its content and adding new specializations that enrich the children's experience. She commended the efforts of those responsible for the program at Ain Shams University, especially Dr. Noha Al-Rifai, as well as the efforts of the deans and coordinators of the participating faculties.

For her part, Prof. Rehab Hussein affirmed that the program is an ambitious project that began in 2012 with the participation of six universities, and has now expanded to include 46 public and private universities and research centers across the country.

She explained that the program's primary objective is to provide children with the opportunity to enter universities and become familiar with the scientific and research environment, thus opening new horizons for them, fostering their interest in scientific research and innovation, and contributing to the discovery and development of their talents from an early age.

Prof. Rehab Hussein also commended Ain Shams University's performance, emphasizing that it is among the top-performing universities in implementing the Children's University program, in terms of its commitment to the activities and programs offered.

Prof. Rasha Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, expressed her delight at the children's choice of Computer and Information Sciences as a major, affirming that this field is one of the most important in the digital age, equipping them to understand modern technology and providing them with a strong foundation of skills that have become essential for the future.

She explained that the program includes a range of applied topics, such as web application programming and the fundamentals of programming using Python, along with topics in embedded systems and artificial intelligence, enriching the children's experiences and enhancing their innovation and technical thinking skills.

Prof. Hoda Sousa also emphasized that supporting innovation and developing children's skills represents a genuine investment in Egypt's future, noting that the scientific experiments the children underwent within the participating colleges contributed to boosting their self-confidence and fostering their spirit of innovation.

Dr. Noha El-Rafei welcomed the students and their parents, expressing her delight at the launch of the program's new phase. She emphasized Ain Shams University's commitment to supporting the Children's University program in its ninth and tenth cycles, reflecting the university's role in serving the community, preparing a new generation of scientists and innovators, and instilling a culture of scientific research and creativity in children from an early age.

She commended the university's role in providing a comprehensive educational and training environment that offers children the best opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills, noting that the program's success is a result of teamwork and cooperation among the various university departments and participating faculties.

She added that the Grants and Projects Department within the International Relations and Academic Collaboration sector plays a pivotal role in managing the administrative, logistical, and financial aspects of the project, and in maintaining continuous coordination with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the various university faculties. This ensures the program's efficient implementation and maximizes the benefit for the children, adhering to the highest standards of organization and quality.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, several children who had previously participated in earlier phases of the "Children's University" program presented their experiences within the university, highlighting the key knowledge, skills, and experiences they gained through their participation in various scientific activities and experiments.

The children affirmed that their experience at the Children's University provided them with the opportunity to explore diverse scientific fields, discover their interests and talents, and interact with faculty staff and researchers, thus broadening their horizons and fostering their passion for science, research, and innovation.