A S U

Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, and Prof. Rami Maher Ghali, Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, and as part of the University’s strategy to foster the values of inclusion and equal opportunities and enhance the participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of university life, the Faculty of Al-Alsun organized an orientation session for newly enrolled students with disabilities. The session aimed to prepare them for the start of their university journey and introduce them to the nature of academic study, as well as the services and accommodations available, thereby supporting their effective inclusion within the university community and enhancing their opportunities for academic and personal excellence.

Prof. Youmna Safwat, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun, inaugurated the session in the presence of Prof. Hala Sayed Metwally, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, and Mr. Mohamed Gamal Atwa, General Manager of the Faculty. Welcoming the new students, Prof. Safwat emphasized that supporting and empowering students with disabilities is a top priority for the faculty administration. She highlighted the faculty’s commitment to providing an inclusive and stimulating educational environment that enables students to make full use of their abilities and potential while giving them every opportunity to participate, succeed, and excel.

Addressing the various aspects of university life, Prof. Youmna Safwat stressed that the Faculty’s support for students with disabilities extends beyond academics to include their participation in student, cultural, artistic, sports, and social activities, as well as access to the services provided by the Youth Welfare Department. She also emphasized the importance of discovering and nurturing students’ talents and encouraging them to participate in various competitions and events, helping to develop their personalities, enhance their skills, and strengthen their self-confidence.

The Dean further affirmed the faculty administration’s commitment to providing students with every possible means of support and comfort and to overcoming any challenges they may encounter throughout their university journey, ensuring a stable, safe, and supportive university experience while strengthening their sense of belonging to both the Faculty and the University.

For her part, Prof. Hala Sayed Metwally, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, stated that the orientation session represents an important step toward familiarizing newly enrolled students with disabilities with the full range of services and accommodations available to them and helping them understand the various aspects of university life from the very beginning of their studies at the Faculty.

She explained that the Faculty provides students with opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities through the Youth Welfare Department, including cultural, artistic, sports, and social activities. She noted that the Faculty places particular emphasis on identifying, nurturing, and guiding students’ talents and providing them with opportunities to participate in competitions and events at both the Faculty and University levels, contributing to the development of their skills, personalities, and capabilities.

She added that the faculty administration is committed to listening to students, identifying their needs, addressing any obstacles they may face, and providing all possible forms of support and assistance. These efforts enable students to engage fully in university life and strengthen their ability to participate, integrate, and achieve excellence across various fields.

In line with the session’s objectives of preparing students to independently and efficiently navigate the demands of university life, Prof. Youmna Safwat emphasized the importance of mastering computer skills, describing them as essential for meeting academic and examination requirements and enhancing students’ ability to rely on themselves. She explained that scribes are not provided during examinations, making the development of technical skills and early preparation for academic requirements particularly important.

The orientation session reflects the commitment of Ain Shams University and the Faculty of Al-Alsun to building a more inclusive and equitable university community that recognizes the capabilities of all its students and provides opportunities that foster learning, creativity, participation, and excellence, in line with the Egyptian state’s efforts to empower persons with disabilities and promote their active participation in society.