Prof. Mohamed Hussein: Political leadership's support for scientific research and international cooperation strengthens opportunities to establish effective academic and research partnerships with European institutions.

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst: Tanta University is making distinguished institutional efforts to internationalize education and scientific research while fulfilling its community service role across the Delta region.

    Prof. Mohamed Hussein, President of Tanta University, received Her Excellency Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, on Wednesday, during an official visit to the University. The visit aimed to explore prospects for academic and research cooperation and strengthen international partnerships in higher education and innovation.

    The meeting was attended by Prof. Hatem Amin, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research; Prof. El-Sayed El-Agouz, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Mahmoud Selim, Acting Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Shahira Sharaf El-Din, Director of the International Relations and International Students Main Center; Prof. Mohamed El-Sheshtawy, Director of the University Center for International Rankings and the Main Center for Sustainability; Dr. Heba Gaber, Research and Innovation Officer; Mahmoud El-Mekawy, Digital and Public Diplomacy Officer; Rasha Khalil, Media Officer at the European Union Delegation; as well as several faculty deans, vice deans, academic staff members, and students.

    During a seminar held on the sidelines of the visit to discuss future cooperation opportunities, Prof. Mohamed Hussein emphasized that the meeting reflects the support extended by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to scientific research and the advancement of international academic cooperation. It also aligns with the efforts of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to internationalize the higher education system and expand partnerships with international academic and research institutions, thereby supporting human capacity development and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian universities.

    He noted that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union opens promising prospects for advancing cooperation in education, scientific research, and innovation.

    The University President added that international cooperation constitutes a key pillar of Tanta University's strategy, which seeks to leverage its academic and research capabilities to address the developmental, economic, and environmental needs of the Delta region.

    He also commended the role played by European programs, particularly Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and PRIMA, in promoting academic mobility, funding research projects, and building institutional and human capacities.

    He further emphasized that the University aims to expand its partnerships with European universities and research centers while providing greater opportunities for students and early-career researchers. He stressed that the success of international cooperation should be measured by its practical outcomes and tangible impact on community service and sustainable development.

    For her part, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst expressed her pleasure at making her first visit to Tanta University. She praised the enthusiasm demonstrated by the University's leadership, academic staff, and students, as well as its efforts to strengthen its international presence and its academic cooperation with the University of Cantabria in Spain.

    She also commended the University's distinguished community service role, particularly in healthcare and providing services to residents throughout the Delta region.

    The Ambassador emphasized that investment in people, scientific research, and innovation constitutes a fundamental pillar of the Egyptian-European partnership. She encouraged researchers and students to take advantage of the funding and academic mobility opportunities offered through European Union programs, particularly Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, and to pursue research partnerships capable of developing solutions to shared challenges.

    Addressing early-career researchers, she underscored the importance of maintaining scientific curiosity and perseverance, and of viewing challenges and rejected research proposals as opportunities for learning and professional development. She stressed that determination and continuity are among the essential ingredients of success.

    The visit concluded with an open discussion involving the Ambassador, her accompanying delegation, students, researchers, and faculty members. The discussion addressed opportunities for academic and research cooperation, student exchange programs, and mechanisms for participating in European research projects, paving the way for new avenues of institutional collaboration between Tanta University and European universities and institutions.