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The Graduate Studies and Research Sector Council at Ain Shams University held a meeting chaired by Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Graduate Studies and Research, and attended by the Vice Deans of Graduate Studies and Research at the faculties and members of the council. The council discussed a number of topics related to developing the research and scientific system, enhancing academic cooperation, and supporting the quality of education and scientific research at the university.

Prof. Amany Osama Kamel opened the meeting by congratulating Prof. Hayam Wahba on her appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at Nile University, wishing her continued success in her academic and administrative duties.

She also congratulated Prof. Ahmed El-Shouky, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology for Graduate Studies and Research, on the success of a joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission (from Ain Shams University and the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology) in uncovering a Coptic cemetery dating back to the Byzantine period (5th-7th centuries AD) beneath an 18th-century residential area at the Sheikh El-Arab Hammam site in the village of El-Arki, Qena. The excavation yielded a number of important archaeological finds, including ancient clothing, seals, and pottery fragments that reflect aspects of life during that historical period.

During the meeting, several scientific and research topics were reviewed. Dr. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Director of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector, presented an overview of the international agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the university and a number of international universities and academic institutions, which contribute to strengthening scientific cooperation and the exchange of expertise.

The council also approved awarding the Prof. Hussein Abu Leila Prize to Dr. Osama Ashraf Youssef, a lecturer in the Physics Department at the Faculty of Education. The Prof. Karimat Mahmoud El-Sayed Prize was awarded to Dr. Sally Mahmoud Helmy, a lecturer in the Physics Department at the Faculty of Science, and the Prof. Latifa Al-Houti Prize was awarded to Dr. Abdel-Fattah Taha Abdo El-Gendy, an assistant professor in the Physics Department at the Faculty of Science.

The council also reviewed a presentation on the research and academic system within the postgraduate studies sector at the Faculty of Law, Ain Shams University, for 2026. This presentation was delivered by Prof. Tarek Ahmed Maher Zaghloul, Professor of Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law, who outlined the faculty's efforts in supporting scientific research and developing academic programs.

Dr. Mahmoud Fayez, Director of the Networks and Information Technology Center, presented a detailed explanation of the new accounting and inventory systems, as well as the plagiarism detection system in Arabic. He also discussed the mechanisms for faculty staff to register their research on the "Shams Scholar" platform. Prof. Amany Osama Kamel emphasized to the relevant faculties the necessity of appointing a coordinator in each faculty to monitor faculty staff' compliance with registering their research on the platform. This will contribute to activating the "Shams Scholar" platform, linking it to the Scopus database, and ensuring the continuous updating of the university's research data.

In a related context, Dr. Dalia Youssef, Director of the Central Unit for E-Learning, presented a report on the activation of e-learning platforms at the university, along with training courses focused on enhancing the use of artificial intelligence technologies in teaching and learning.

As part of supporting the quality assurance and academic accreditation system, Prof. Miriam Ayad, Director of the University's Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center, presented the center's monthly activity report. She also highlighted the activities of the center's various units, including the Strategic Planning Unit, the Technical Support Unit, the Performance Evaluation and Surveys Unit, and the Training and Awareness Unit. Prof. Amany Osama Kamel commended the efforts of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center in supporting the university's faculties to achieve quality standards and academic accreditation.

Prof. Dina Lashin, Director of the International Students Office, presented a report on the status of international students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies and the procedures implemented to facilitate their enrollment in various academic programs.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the council discussed the ongoing implementation of the postgraduate studies and research sector plan, aligning it with the university's commitment to supporting innovation and research excellence.