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The Education and Student Affairs Sector at Ain Shams University launched the “Hand in Hand” initiative, in cooperation with the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, the Innovation and Training Sector, and the Center for Students with Disabilities. The initiative was supervised and implemented by the General Administration of Youth Welfare.

The events were held under the patronage of H.E. Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; with the supervision of Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Neven Assem, CEO of the Innovation and Training Sector; Prof. Rana El-Helaly, Director of the Center for Students with Disabilities; and the administrative supervision of Mr. Ibrahim Said Hamza, Assistant Secretary-General of the University for the Education and Student Affairs Sector. The event was also attended by Prof. Safaa Shehata, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Osama El-Sayed Mostafa, Dean of the Faculty of Specific Education, alongside a number of faculty vice-deans and staff members.

In his speech, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, welcomed the attendees, expressing his appreciation for the efforts made to ensure the success of the initiative. He extended special thanks to the Special Education teams from the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Specific Education for their voluntary and supportive roles.

He emphasized that the university is steadily moving towards achieving an integrated academic community that opens its doors to everyone without exception. He also pointed out that the “Hand in Hand” initiative runs in parallel with the “Be Ready” initiative adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to prepare students for a better future.

He added that Ain Shams University spares no effort in building bridges of communication and integration, ensuring equal opportunities for all its students without discrimination, and encouraging cooperation among students in an inclusive university environment.

Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, stressed that the initiative embodies the spirit of integration and volunteering at Ain Shams University, opening its doors without barriers or discrimination. She affirmed that people of determination are an integral part of the university community and active partners in the development journey.

She highlighted that the initiative represents a genuine step towards building a barrier-free university community, noting that caring for students with disabilities is not supplementary work but rather the core of the university’s mission to prepare individuals capable of participation and creativity. She concluded by affirming that the strength of society lies in its diversity, and empowering students of determination is both a humanitarian and national mission that ensures equal opportunities for success and excellence.

Prof. Neven Assem confirmed that Ain Shams University plans to expand the initiative in the coming phase to cover various faculties and academic programs, thereby reinforcing the principle of equal opportunities and making the university a pioneering model in supporting and empowering people of determination at both educational and societal levels.

For her part, Prof. Rana El-Helaly explained that the “Hand in Hand” initiative aims to build a barrier-free academic community by teaching skills for interacting with people with disabilities, developing effective communication methods inside and outside the university, and enhancing their chances of integration into the labor market. The initiative included active participation from the Special Education team at the Faculty of Specific Education.

It is worth mentioning that the initiative’s activities covered a wide range of programs, including skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship activities, as well as sports, artistic, and cultural events.

The General Administration of Youth Welfare coordinated and implemented these activities, while the General Administration of University Dormitories provided full accommodation for participating student volunteers.