A S U

On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the fourth session of the Education and Student Affairs Council for the 2025/2026 academic year was convened under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Rami Maher Ghali, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Student Affairs. This marked his first session presiding over the Council, which was attended by the Council members: deans of the faculties, vice deans for Education and Student Affairs, external members, and Mr. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary-General of the University for the Education and Student Affairs Sector.

At the outset of the session, the Council members extended their sincere congratulations to Prof. Dr. Rami Maher Ghali on assuming his new position as Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, wishing him continued success.

Prof. Dr. Ghali informed the Council of the Supreme Council of Universities’ decision regarding the update of academic bylaws that have exceeded five years, calling on faculties to review and update their regulations in alignment with reference frameworks and academic standards.

He urged all faculties to stimulate student engagement and enhance all forms of student activities, stressing that such activities are essential to developing students’ skills and shaping their personalities.

Prof. Dr. Ghali also announced that the design of Ain Shams University’s official certificates will be updated to reflect the university’s distinguished reputation and to align with secure graduation certificates and grade transcripts, ensuring clarity and accuracy of student records.

During the session, the Council approved the minutes of the Education and Student Affairs Council meeting held on 11 November 2025, as well as the minutes of the Standing Committee meeting held on 3 December 2025, in addition to discussing items listed on the agenda.

The Council reviewed preparations for the first-semester examinations of the 2025/2026 academic year.

Prof. Dr. Ghali emphasized the need to promptly prepare and publish exam schedules, both in print and electronically, in coordination with the Center for Education Strategy Development, and to submit them to the University Administration in accordance with the academic calendar issued by the Supreme Council of Universities in its session dated 31 May 2025. He also stressed the importance of taking Christian holidays, as listed in the academic calendar, into consideration when preparing the schedules.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that question banks include the required percentage of exam questions, considering the increase in the number of courses integrated into the banks, in coordination with the Center for Education Strategy Development to enhance exam quality.

The Vice President also stressed adherence to exam-paper standards based on the Supreme Council of Universities’ decision of 22 February 2025 regarding the categories eligible for objective exams, in coordination with the Disability Support Center, the Center for Education Strategy Development, and the Assessment and Evaluation Unit concerning exam analysis data and corrective measures. He highlighted the necessity of preparing answer keys and adhering to them in the case of essay-based exams.

Prof. Dr. Ghali called for full support for students with disabilities and students in inclusion programs to ensure that all necessary accommodations are available during examinations, in coordination with the Disability Support Services Center.

He emphasized the importance of finalizing seat numbers and verifying student data on the UMS platform, particularly for graduating students, by each faculty’s Student Affairs Administration before uploading them to the system to facilitate the issuance of official documents. He also called for the publication of all exam instructions alongside exam schedules on the official websites of faculties and student notice boards.

The Vice President stressed the importance of the presence of academic staff and administrators during examinations, adherence to disciplinary rules, and implementing measures to prevent cheating—whether via mobile phones or other means. He also recommended forming a committee comprising members from both theoretical and practical faculties to prepare a comprehensive reference guide on addressing cases of cheating based on relevant laws and regulations, ensuring fairness for all students.

He further instructed that invigilators be fully briefed on all examination regulations, ensuring high-quality performance that supports students and maintains exam integrity.

Prof. Dr. Ghali reiterated the importance of male students completing their military education requirement before the final year to obtain their graduation certificates and highlighted the availability of military education courses for female students. He also directed faculties to guide final-year students to complete all graduation requirements, including university-required examinations, equivalency courses, supplementary courses, and literacy requirements, through registration on the Supreme Council of Universities’ platform.

The Vice President also instructed that the necessary maintenance of examination halls be carried out, that medical centers be fully prepared during the examination period, and that all precautionary measures be implemented. He emphasized the importance of circulating emergency contact information for the central ambulance system, serving faculty members, staff, and students through the call center (01012283288), and ensuring readiness for emergency services.

Prof. Ghali stressed the importance of prompt grading and timely announcement of first-semester results to enable students to register for the second semester. He noted that the upcoming period will witness an expansion in electronic examinations and that a plan has been established for the effective use of electronic halls. He also acknowledged the faculties’ progress in preparing examination halls equipped to accommodate electronic exams, including facilities for students with disabilities.

The session also reviewed a memorandum from the International Students and Visiting Professors Administration regarding the formation of a committee to establish a mechanism for scanning original graduation certificates and coordinating between faculty and university alumni administration, as well as the International Students Administration, to regulate the issuance and authentication of certificates.

The Council was updated on coordination efforts with faculties concerning biometric student photography in preparation for issuing secure certificates and the progress made toward linking with the Engineering Faculty platform. Emphasis was placed on the administrative, financial, and technical mechanisms for printing secure certificates.

The Council reviewed statistics on students with disabilities applying for military service exemption and instructed faculties to update these statistics by mid-December and submit the required documents to the General Administration for Education and Student Affairs.

The Council also reviewed the activities of the “Tamkeen” Presidential Initiative at the university, aimed at empowering students with disabilities and providing an inclusive educational environment that offers equal opportunities to all members of the university community. Furthermore, the Council was briefed on Ain Shams University’s participation in the EDUGATE International Exhibition for Higher Education and Training, which showcases universities’ new programs and supports experience exchange and the promotion of distinguished academic services.