At the kind invitation of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), attended the meeting of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities, hosted at the University of Helwan, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar started the meeting with an address, wherein he welcomed ICESCO DG and highlighted the potential areas of cooperation between the Egyptian universities, ICESCO and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), explaining that Dr. AlMalik, FUIW Secretary-General, has a vision that will ensure a fresh start for the Federation.
Afterward, Dr. Maged Negm, President of Helwan University, welcomed ICESCO DG and the heads of the participating Egyptian universities. Dr. Ghada Abdelbary, Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission, gave a presentation on ICESCO and the cooperation programs with Egypt, including the organization General Conference and Executive Council of ICESCO next December.

At the beginning of his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness to attend the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, which is the hub of knowledge and scientific and cultural heritage, stressing that it is ripe time to modernize higher education and its structures. He underscored that “the 21st Century University must be in line with various changes to overcome the current challenges as digitization has brought about a profound transformation in learning and working methods, the mentalities of young people and students, and the environment and professions of today and tomorrow.”

Besides, Dr. Al-Malik called on the Egyptian universities that are not members of the FUIW to join the Federation to expand the scope of cooperation between universities in the Islamic World, especially on matters relevant to artificial intelligence, open science, remote education, and review of curricula to keep up with current changes.

In appreciation of his efforts to develop ICESCO and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar presented Dr. Al Malik with the shield of the Supreme Council of Universities. Dr. Negm also handed Dr. Al Malik the shield of Helwan University respectively in appreciation of his visit to the University and his participation in the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

After the meeting, ICESCO DG toured the Arts and Culture Complex at Helwan University, which includes more than 2,000 various pieces of art. Dr. Ashraf Reda, CEO of the Complex, reviewed the history, establishment and collection of the Complex.