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Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated the annual scientific conference organized by the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, in the presence of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities; Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Amani Osama, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, along with a number of leaders from the Ministry, the University, the Faculty, faculty members, and students.

At the opening of the event, Dr. Ayman Ashour extended his congratulations to Ain Shams University on receiving institutional accreditation from the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education, making it the second Egyptian university to earn this recognition.

The Minister expressed his pleasure at participating in the event, emphasizing that this day is one the faculty eagerly anticipates each year to present its achievements and showcase its future vision.

He praised the pioneering role played by engineering faculties, particularly the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, within the educational system, as they prepare highly qualified graduates in this vital field. He also highlighted the remarkable successes of the faculty’s alumni across generations in various professional arenas.

Dr. Ashour reflected on his tenure as Dean of the Faculty, during which he witnessed the dedication and collaboration of his academic staff. He commended the institutional spirit that unites the faculty’s community and has been instrumental in its outstanding achievements.

The Minister also noted that the current phase focuses on recording the success indicators of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, launched by the Ministry, as well as the “Coalition and Development” initiative. He praised the strong support provided by the political leadership since the launch of the strategy and the significant presidential backing of the initiative.

Dr. Ashour expressed his pride in the outcomes achieved by the initiative’s alliances and presented highlights of its key success indicators. He pointed out that the initiative has seen strong participation from all branches of the higher education system, attracting public, private, national, and technological universities, in addition to ministry-affiliated institutes, research centers, and institutions. It has also drawn wide participation from various ministries, underscoring its success in fostering integration between academic institutions, the production sector, and industry, while also promoting broad community engagement in shaping a clear vision for the implementation of development projects.

The Minister also affirmed that the projects submitted under the “Coalition and Development” initiative cover various vital sectors such as food, health, energy, electronics, education, and capacity building, an indicator of the initiative’s success in addressing the targeted developmental sectors.

Dr. Ashour noted that the number of coalitions has reached 104 so far and that they are currently under evaluation by a specialized committee to select the most promising ones.

He added that the current objective is to develop the first comprehensive national research map, identifying the scientific research priorities for each region in Egypt and the required projects in every area. He stressed the importance of aligning future faculty plans with innovation and the promotion of applied scientific research to support the economy and activate entrepreneurship.

During the conference, the Minister also took part in honoring pioneering professors from the classes of 1969, 1970, and 1971. He expressed his pride in participating in this tribute, which reflects appreciation for their academic and professional contributions to the engineering sector throughout their careers. He emphasized that Egyptian scientists and researchers are the key driving force behind the success of such initiatives and expressed his confidence in their ability to lead the journey of development and innovation in service of the nation’s future.

For his part, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, expressed his pride in the university’s remarkable achievements. He extended his thanks to the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering for organizing the conference, and to the honored professors for their scientific dedication and outstanding efforts throughout their academic careers. He affirmed that this excellence has been one of the fundamental factors behind the university’s success, which is the result of collective, institutional teamwork.

The University President reaffirmed the university’s continuous commitment to developing modern technologies and aligning scientific research and education with the needs of industry and the labor market, in line with the national strategy for higher education and scientific research adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education.

At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Diaa congratulated the university’s faculty members on the institution’s accreditation from the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education, stressing that institutional work is a core element of success. He highlighted this as one of the defining characteristics of Ain Shams University, and particularly of its Faculty of Engineering, commending the faculty’s active role in executing national projects.

In his address, Dr. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the attendees and expressed the faculty’s pride in organizing this annual tribute to some of its pioneering professors. He also presented the faculty’s strategic plan through 2028, which focuses on digital transformation, an AI-powered academic leap, and support for paths of academic and research excellence.

The event also featured a presentation highlighting the faculty’s most significant achievements over the past year in the areas of community service and environmental development, postgraduate studies, and student affairs, across various fields. In addition, the winners of the “Best Scientific Thesis” competition at the master's and doctoral levels were honored.

On the sidelines of the event, the Minister toured the 2025 International Design Studio (WDS) project and listened to a detailed presentation. This year’s project focused on the city of Bristol, USA, tackling complex urban issues such as sustainable mobility, inclusivity in public spaces, and urban identity. The students traveled to Bristol to participate in a field workshop alongside students from partner universities, which provided them with valuable opportunities for field research, community engagement, and the development of innovative design solutions.

The Minister praised the students’ presentations and wished them continued success in their academic journey.

It is worth noting that the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University is hosting the final event of the 2025 International Design Studio (WDS) project. This initiative is a pioneering effort and marks the first trilateral university agreement in Egypt, bringing together Ain Shams University (Egypt), Clemson University (USA), and Huazhong Agricultural University (China), with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Institute of International Education.

The project aims to unify students on a global scale, promote interdisciplinary learning, and prepare them for the global job market. It also seeks to provide an international platform for cultural exchange and to develop future leaders in the fields of design and the preservation of the built environment.