((((Quoted from the official page of the Supreme Council of Universities))))

Dr. Mustafa Refaat:

- The forum emphasizes the vital role played by Egyptian universities as engines of development.

- The event represents a genuine platform for exchanging experiences and building bridges of communication between researchers, students, and representatives of industrial institutions.

Dr. Mohamed Hussein:

 - The forum is not just a passing meeting, but a living embodiment of the spirit of integration and close cooperation between our academic institutions.

- The university seeks to maximize development returns from a sustainable perspective that considers economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Therefore, the first environmental forum of the Delta Region Universities Alliance launched today at Tanta University under the slogan “Academia and Industry: Bridging the Gap,” attended by Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, Dr. Mohamed Hussein, President of Tanta University, Dr. Ashraf Hnijal, President of Suez University, Dr. Abdel Fattah Sadqa, former President of Tanta University and President of Al-Salam University, Dr. Mahmoud Selim, Vice President for Community Service and Environment Development, Dr. Hatem Amin, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. El-Sayed El-Agouz, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Abdel Hakim Abdel Khalek, former President of Tanta University, Dr. Emad Atman, former Vice President for Community Service and Environment Development, Vice Presidents for Community Service and Environment Development, Deans and Vice Deans of Faculties, teaching staff members, a several journalists and media professionals, and students.

During his speech, Dr. Mustafa Refaat welcomed the attendees at the opening of the first environmental forum for Delta Region universities at Tanta University, which comes within the framework of higher education institutions' keenness to promote integration between scientific research, sustainable development requirements, and the labor market. Moreover, he added that this forum comes at a very important time, as the world is witnessing rapid changes in the fields of technology and innovation, which require keeping pace with these changes and directing the energies of the youth researchers towards practical solutions that serve society and contribute to achieving Egypt's 2030 vision for comprehensive development.

In addition, The Secretary-General of the Council added that the forum emphasizes the vital role played by Egyptian universities as engines of development and centers of knowledge and technology production, and a fundamental pillar in building Egyptian human capital and enhancing its competitiveness locally and internationally. He also pointed out that the forum aims to support a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthen partnerships between universities and the industrial and production sectors, adding that the event represents a real platform for exchanging experiences and building bridges of communication between researchers, students, and representatives of industrial institutions, thereby contributing to the transformation of scientific ideas into viable projects with tangible economic and social returns.

Dr. Mustafa Refaat also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Ayman Ashour, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for his continuous efforts to support the research and innovation system. He also congratulated Dr. Abdel Aziz Qanswa for the political leadership's confidence in him and his appointment as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Mohamed Hussein, President of Tanta University, for hosting and organizing this forum in such an honorable manner.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Hussein emphasised that this forum is not merely a passing meeting, but rather a living embodiment of the spirit of integration and close cooperation between our long-established academic institutions, and a clear message of unity of purpose and destiny, pointing to the unprecedented historical shift in the development of higher education and scientific research systems in Egypt, thanks to the insightful vision and direct support of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic. He added that Egyptian universities have succeeded in playing their leading role as a key driver for achieving a knowledge-based economy, adding that it is derived from "Egypt Vision 2030" to build the new republic, and goes beyond the confines of lecture halls to directly contribute to increasing gross domestic product at the local and national levels.

The university president also praised the exceptional efforts and pivotal role of Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who laid the cornerstone for the formulation of the "National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research" in March 2023, which is based on seven key principles that guide us towards fourth-generation universities, building effective institutional partnerships with the industrial sector and government agencies to achieve integration and sustainability.

Furthermore, the university president added that the philosophy of regional alliances is the cornerstone for improving the quality of our outputs, whether academic, research, or service-related. Then, he pointed out that through this integrated institutional framework, the university seeks to maximise development returns from a sustainable perspective that considers economic, social, and environmental dimensions to achieve the Egyptian state's goals of building an advanced knowledge society, emphasizing Tanta University's full and unlimited support for all presidential and national initiatives.

In the same context, Dr. Mahmoud Selim gave a comprehensive presentation on the strategy of integrating academia and industry as a fundamental pillar of fourth-generation universities, reviewing the implications of sustainable development concepts and Egypt's Vision 2030 on enhancing international university rankings. He highlighted the pivotal role of professional development centers, which have successfully employed and trained 14,313 graduates from Tanta University in line with labor market needs and the recommendations of international forums. He also presented a vision for strategic integration and overcoming obstacles to localizing industry through an analytical "heat map" that identifies industrial development priorities in the central Delta, in addition to linking urban planning with logistics and activating the pillars of innovation and the blue economy system.

General Administration of the Secretary of the Council's Office

Public Relations Department