Dr. Abdelrazek Desouky, President of Kafrelsheikh University, received today, Saturday, July 19, 2025, Dr. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University, and his accompanying delegation, which included Dr. Ramadan El-Sawy, Vice President of Al-Azhar University for the Delta Branch, and Dr. Zaki Sabry, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Girls in Kafrelsheikh. The visit aimed to sign a joint cooperation protocol between the two universities and discuss ways to enhance academic, cultural, and administrative collaboration.

The event was attended by Dr. Ismail El-Qen, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research; Dr. Amani Shaker, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; and Dr. Ali Sabry, Secretary-General of the University.

Dr. Abdelrazek Desouky emphasized that this cooperation stems from the shared belief in the importance of integration among educational institutions to support scientific research and exchange expertise and knowledge. He pointed out that the protocol reflects Egypt’s Vision 2030 towards a creative, innovative, and knowledge-producing society through the development of an integrated system linking scientific research outcomes with societal and developmental needs.

The President of Kafrelsheikh University explained that the protocol aims to foster cooperation in several fields, including faculty exchange and secondment, coordination in teaching and research activities, exchange of scientific publications and information, and the joint organization of conferences, workshops, and seminars. It also includes collaboration in leadership, entrepreneurship, and soft skills programs, as well as in achieving sustainable development goals, addressing climate change, supporting environmental initiatives, and enhancing student activities, career counseling, and student services.

Dr. Desouky expressed his great pleasure with this constructive cooperation, affirming that Kafrelsheikh University always seeks to build bridges of collaboration with distinguished educational institutions, contributing to the advancement of the educational and research system.

He also praised Al-Azhar University as a prestigious scholarly and religious beacon with a history extending over a thousand years. He described it as a symbol of moderate religious education in Egypt and the Islamic world, playing a central role in promoting tolerant religious values and a culture of coexistence and peace, alongside its significant academic and research contributions across various disciplines, helping to build a cohesive and enlightened society.

The President of Kafrelsheikh University stressed that cooperation with Al-Azhar University represents a great opportunity for experience exchange and real integration between Egyptian universities in various academic, cultural, and societal fields.

For his part, Dr. Salama Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University, expressed his great appreciation for the warm reception, praising the outstanding capabilities of Kafrelsheikh University and the remarkable academic and infrastructural progress it is witnessing. He confirmed that the cooperation with Kafrelsheikh University is an important step towards a fruitful partnership that aligns with the state’s aspirations to support and develop the higher education sector.