A S U

The first meeting of the Postgraduate Studies and Research Sector Council at Ain Shams University for the 2026/2027 academic year was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, and attended by the Vice Deans for Postgraduate Studies and Research and Council members, marking the start of the Sector’s activities for the new academic year.

Prof. Amani Osama Kamel opened the meeting by extending her sincere thanks and appreciation to the Council members, expressing her best wishes for a successful and productive new academic year. She also congratulated several academic and administrative leaders on assuming new responsibilities and on the renewal of confidence in their leadership.

She congratulated Prof. Dalia Hussein Fahmy on assuming the duties of Acting Dean of the Faculty of Specific Education, and Prof. Dalia El-Qurashi on the renewal of her appointment as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry for Postgraduate Studies and Research. She also congratulated Mr. Mohamed El-Khatib on assuming the position of Secretary-General of Ain Shams National University, wishing them all continued success.

Prof. Amany Osama Kamel also welcomed Prof. Hend Asaad, representing the Faculty of Al-Alsun, and Dr. Sally Kamal, Director of the Curriculum and Teaching Methods Development Unit, representing the Educational Strategies Research Unit, succeeding Prof. Dalia Youssef. She expressed her appreciation for the valuable efforts and contributions they are expected to make to the Council’s work. She also thanked Prof. Ashraf Attia for his efforts and active participation during his tenure as a Council member.

She congratulated Prof. Ahmed El-Shouki, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology for Postgraduate Studies and Research, on assuming the leadership of the Council’s Standing Committee, wishing him and all committee members success in continuing their efforts to advance the University’s postgraduate studies and research system.

During the meeting, Prof. Amany Osama Kamel honored Prof. Hayam Wahba in recognition of her dedication and efforts during her tenure as head of the Standing Committee, wishing her continued success.

Marketing Plan for Postgraduate Programs

The Council discussed the marketing plan for Ain Shams University’s postgraduate programs and reviewed the results of a survey on the programs’ advertising and promotional campaign, with the aim of assessing its effectiveness and measuring its impact on interest and applications for postgraduate programs across the University’s faculties. The Council also explored ways to develop marketing tools and strategies to broaden the reach of these programs and attract more students and researchers.

The Council also approved the circulation of the Ain Shams University Project Management Guide as a key reference for regulating and standardizing administrative and research procedures and streamlining the management of research projects across the University, thereby enhancing management efficiency and improving the quality of project outcomes.

Prof. Amany Osama Kamel stressed the importance of taking into account the circumstances of international students enrolled in postgraduate programs and providing them with the necessary support and flexibility, including due consideration of regulations governing exceptional extensions. This would facilitate the completion of their studies and academic progress and foster an attractive university environment for international students and researchers from different countries.

Guide to “Designing Integrative Programs”

Dr. Sally Kamal, Director of the Curriculum and Teaching Methods Development Unit, presented the contents of the “Designing Integrative Programs” Guide, prepared by the Center for Educational Strategies and Research Development. The guide serves as an institutional framework for Ain Shams University, providing a comprehensive approach to designing and developing integrative and non-traditional academic programs in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research 2030.

The presentation addressed global developments in the design of integrative, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary programs and the importance of aligning academic programs with the National Qualifications Framework to meet the requirements of multiple disciplines and respond to evolving labor market needs. It also emphasized adherence to the relevant reference framework and international qualifications frameworks to enhance the quality and competitiveness of academic programs locally and internationally.

The meeting featured several presentations and discussions on the research and academic systems across Ain Shams University faculties. Prof. Hatem Rabie, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts for Postgraduate Studies and Research, delivered a presentation highlighting the Sector’s key achievements and its efforts to develop the postgraduate studies system and enhance its academic programs.

The presentation reviewed 29 newly introduced diplomas included in the Faculty’s new bylaws, encompassing specialized and professional diplomas across various fields of the humanities. These programs aim to develop students’ skills, enhance their career prospects, and support the University’s efforts to develop postgraduate programs aligned with development priorities and labor market needs.

Engagement Indicators on the “Shams Scholar” Platform

In the same context, Prof. Mahmoud Fayez, Director of the University’s Network and Information Technology Center, reviewed engagement indicators on the “Shams Scholar” platform, stressing the need to register using the official university email account. He also presented the results of the pilot phase for analyzing theses and dissertations and assessing the potential for translating their outcomes into industrial applications or registering them as patents in the University’s name, supporting the University’s drive to maximize the benefits of scientific research outputs and transform them into innovations and applications with economic and societal value.

Digital Development Projects

Prof. Rasha Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, presented a periodic report on the status of digital transformation and statistics related to the University’s website, as well as ongoing efforts concerning the 2026 Government Excellence Award.

The presentation covered several digital development projects, including the establishment of the “Step Up” platform for supplementary pathways, support for research projects, and efforts to stimulate sustainability-related scientific research. It also highlighted the continued automation and modernization of the UMS sector to provide advanced electronic services to students, including electronic transfers, as well as the establishment of an electronic specialization allocation system across the University’s faculties.

Digital transformation efforts also included introducing an online application service for university dormitories through the University’s official website, facilitating application procedures for students and enhancing the efficiency of the University’s digital services.

Relaunch of the Professional Diploma in Quality Systems and Accreditation Management

Prof. Meriam Ayad, Director of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center, reviewed the Center’s efforts to support the faculties through the activities of its strategic planning, technical support, performance evaluation, surveys, training, and awareness units, while emphasizing the importance of increasing participation rates in surveys to support efforts toward institutional and program accreditation.

She also highlighted the relaunch of the Professional Diploma in Quality Systems and Accreditation Management in Educational Institutions following an update to its content. The diploma now focuses on three main areas: university and pre-university accreditation standards, government excellence standards, and ISO standards.

She explained that, as part of efforts to meet the university performance evaluation standards issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Center coordinated with the relevant faculties to complete performance indicators, compile supporting documentation, and upload indicator results and rates for the 2025/2026 academic year, along with targets for the next five years, via the designated electronic platform.

Reviewing, Completing, and Updating Data on International Postgraduate Students

In this context, Prof. Amany Osama Kamel extended her thanks and appreciation to Prof. Meriam Ayad, Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, and Prof. Hend Asaad. She also commended the efforts of the team at the Postgraduate Studies and Research Sector and the staff of the Education Development Center, stressing the importance of a prompt response and the timely completion of the required data by all faculties to ensure that all requirements are met and to support the University’s institutional development efforts.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Dina Lasheen, Director of the International Students Department, reviewed progress in verifying, completing, and updating the data of international postgraduate students across the University’s faculties. The presentation also covered updating international student databases using the unified template, statistics on students admitted to postgraduate programs and applications submitted through the “Study in Egypt” platform, in addition to mechanisms for activating and promoting training and short-term programs.

In this context, Prof. Amany Osama Kamel emphasized the importance of promoting training programs through the University’s official website and guiding students through the electronic registration and application procedures, ensuring easy access to these programs and maximizing their benefit.

The First Meeting of the Postgraduate Studies and Research Sector Council for the 2026/2027 Academic Year Discusses Advancing the Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research System.