Within the framework of the directives of Yahya Mabrouk Farag, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Ryada University for Science and Technology, to strengthen partnerships with distinguished scientific institutions, Al-Ryada University conducted a high-level official visit to Zewail City of Science and Technology to explore prospects for joint cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and innovation.
The Al-Ryada delegation included Reda Hegazy, President of the University and former Minister of Education; Dr. Ihab Saeed, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research; and Prof. Amr Samy, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. They were received by Prof. Wael Akl, Acting CEO of Zewail City; Dr. Ibrahim El-Sherbiny, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Salah Abeya, Vice President for Research Affairs; and Dr. Yohansen Eid, Vice President for Quality, Institutional Excellence, and International Cooperation.
During the meeting, Prof. Wael Akl emphasized that the current phase requires achieving genuine integration among academic and research institutions, stressing that no single institution can independently possess all elements of excellence. This, he noted, necessitates building partnerships based on knowledge exchange and maximizing the utilization of available resources. He also highlighted that Zewail City possesses advanced research infrastructure, comprising approximately 15 specialized research centers in fields such as biotechnology, nanoscience, photonics, and advanced computing, in addition to its participation in international research projects in collaboration with the European Union.
He added that the city focuses on implementing practical, measurable forms of collaboration, moving beyond formal protocols. This includes providing extensive opportunities for cooperation in graduate programs, joint academic supervision, utilization of research laboratories, organizing workshops and scientific seminars, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through specialized incubators and accelerators.
For his part, Dr. Reda Hegazy expressed his pleasure with the visit, affirming that institutional integration represents a fundamental pillar for creating real added value within the higher education system. He explained that Al-Ryada University adopts a modern vision based on expanding interdisciplinary specializations and developing academic programs aligned with labor market needs, particularly in artificial intelligence and modern technologies, alongside expanding health sciences and establishing a Faculty of Medicine and a university hospital.
He also pointed to the university’s direction toward implementing a Minor system, which enhances students’ skills and better prepares them for the labor market, emphasizing that the future requires graduates with diverse capabilities and integrated skill sets.
In the same context, Dr. Ihab Saeed confirmed that cooperation with Zewail City extends over several years, covering areas such as scientific research, patents, and student support. He noted the university’s commitment to benefiting from the city’s advanced research capabilities, expanding interdisciplinary graduate studies, and strengthening international partnerships to enhance its research capacity.
He also reviewed the university’s efforts in supporting innovation and linking scientific research with industry, in addition to achieving research accomplishments through publishing in prestigious international journals and obtaining patents.
Meanwhile, Prof. Amr Samy affirmed that this visit represents an important step toward building a partnership based on mutual benefit (win-win). He pointed out that Al-Ryada University possesses distinguished human resources capable of supporting academic collaboration, while Zewail City provides an advanced research environment that enhances the university’s capabilities. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the university’s location within an industrial zone, which offers opportunities to connect scientific research with practical applications.
The visit concluded with an agreement to establish a practical framework for joint cooperation, including the formation of specialized working groups in the fields of graduate studies, scientific research, and innovation, and the initiation of pilot projects—reflecting a serious commitment toward an effective strategic partnership that supports the higher education and scientific research ecosystem in Egypt.
