A S U

As part of Ain Shams University's commitment to strengthening international partnerships and expanding academic and research cooperation, Prof. Rami Maher Ghali, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, welcomed Mr. Matthieu Combe, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Egypt and Director of the French Institute in Egypt, along with his accompanying delegation, to explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation in education, scientific research, and French language learning.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Prof. Sherwet El-Ahmady, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Cooperation Sector; Prof. Maha Eleiwa, Head of the French Language Department at the Faculty of Arts; and Dr. Nadia Shama, Lecturer in the French Language Department and International Cooperation Coordinator at the Faculty of Arts, alongside the Heads of the French Language Departments at the Faculties of Education, Al-Alsun, and Women.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Rami Maher Ghali welcomed the French delegation, expressing his appreciation for the growing cooperation between Ain Shams University and French academic and cultural institutions. He praised the development of the University's French-language academic programs and emphasized the importance of leveraging its diverse research capabilities across various scientific disciplines to create new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in French language education through agreements with the French Institute to support scientific publishing in French and organize training courses for students and faculty staff. The two sides also explored the possibility of offering special benefits and discounts on the Institute's educational programs to encourage French language learning and expand access to graduates and researchers, helping them develop their linguistic and professional skills.

The meeting also addressed challenges facing academic exchange agreements and research cooperation with French universities, particularly in engineering disciplines. Discussions covered academic and administrative obstacles related to university participation in joint projects and research initiatives, as well as ways to overcome these challenges, enhance scientific collaboration, and facilitate the implementation of joint research projects.

For their part, representatives of the French delegation outlined opportunities for student mobility and academic exchange, along with mechanisms for cooperation between universities and relevant agencies. They highlighted the role of support programs, scholarships, and facilities available to students and researchers in promoting international academic mobility, developing scientific and professional capabilities, and expanding partnerships between educational institutions.

During the meeting, Dr. Islam Ezzat, Director of the Founding Team of the Francophonie Center at Ain Shams University, presented updates on the Center, which has secured funding through EUSEEDS in partnership with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the European Union. The Center aims to support French-speaking students, researchers, and faculty staff by facilitating access to scholarships and training programs, developing digital and entrepreneurial skills, enhancing employment opportunities, and aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs.

On the sidelines of the visit, the French delegation toured the Faculty of Arts at Ain Shams University to explore its academic facilities and educational activities and discuss opportunities for further cooperation in French language education. The visit aimed to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen academic and cultural partnerships between Ain Shams University and French institutions.

At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Walaa El-Din Badawy, Director of the Zafaran Palace Museum, welcomed the French delegation and accompanied its members on a tour of the museum, where they explored its historical collections and documents and gained insights into the University's history and heritage, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between Egypt and France.