Tanta University hosted today the activities of the Joint Egyptian–Japanese Scientific Forum entitled “Smart Energy Systems for a Sustainable Future.” The forum was convened in cooperation with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Nagoya University, with the aim of exploring avenues for innovation in renewable energy and strengthening academic partnerships between Egyptian and Japanese researchers to advance sustainable development goals and support the transition toward a green economy.

   The event was attended by Ambassador Iwai Fumio, Ambassador of Japan to the Arab Republic of Egypt; Professor Mohamed Hussein, President of Tanta University; Professor Abdel Fattah Seddeka, Former President of Tanta University and President of Al Salam University; Professor Wagih El-Askary, President of Delta Technological University;Prof. Eiji Nagasawa, Director of the JSPS Cairo Office; Professor Shogo Kimura, Vice President of Nagoya University; Professor Mahmoud Selim, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Professor Hatem Amin, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research; Professor El-Sayed El-Agouz, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; a number of faculty deans; Professor Ibrahim Tantawy, President of the JSPS Alumni Association; Prof. Salah Salman, Head of the Nagoya University Alumni Association Branch in Egypt; in addition to faculty members and researchers of the University.

   The forum commenced with welcoming remarks in which Professor Mohamed Hussein expressed his pleasure at hosting this distinguished international scientific event. He noted that the forum embodies its objectives through the theme: “From Academic Cooperation to Strategic Partnership: Egypt and Japan Towards a Future of Smart Energy and Sustainable Development.” He extended his sincere appreciation to JSPS and its Cairo Office, as well as to the JSPS Alumni Association in Egypt and the Nagoya University Alumni Association in Egypt, for their cooperation, which reflects an institutional partnership founded upon knowledge and mutual respect. He also conveyed his gratitude to all partners, organizers, and executive teams whose efforts ensured the event’s distinguished standard.

   The University President emphasized that the subject of “Smart Energy Systems” has become a national priority, impacting industry, smart cities, digital transformation, energy security, and resource efficiency. He expressed his aspiration that the forum would yield practical outcomes, foremost among them researcher exchange programs, scientific training initiatives, support for postdoctoral pathways for young researchers, and joint projects in energy storage, smart grids, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. He further highlighted the importance of cooperation in technology transfer, joint supervision and evaluation of postgraduate theses, and transforming the forum’s recommendations into actionable steps and sustainable partnerships.

   He added that Egyptian–Japanese relations represent an enduring civilizational partnership grounded in the shared conviction that genuine development begins with investment in people. He affirmed that today’s meeting underscores scientific cooperation as a strategic pathway toward building a future founded on innovation and sustainability. According to data from the SCOPUS platform covering the period 2020–2025, more than 6,000 joint research papers were published through collaboration among over 500 institutions in Egypt and Japan. During that period, Tanta University published 519 joint research papers with Japanese partners—representing nearly 10% of the total collaborative output of Egyptian universities. Moreover, more than 20 faculty members and researchers from Tanta University, along with several assistant staff members, participated in scientific missions to Japan, in addition to undertaking domestic scientific assignments in cooperation with the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology.

   The morning sessions featured presentations on scholarship programs available through Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT), delivered by Mr. Furujo Hayato, in addition to a presentation by Professor Mohamed Galal, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Al-Azhar University, on the role of innovation in building entrepreneurial universities.

   The scientific sessions, chaired by Professor Abdel Aziz Abdel Dayem and Professor Mohamed Saada, witnessed significant research engagement. Professor Yutaka Matsuo of Nagoya University reviewed fullerene technologies for solar energy conversion. Professor Diaa El-Din Mansour of Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology presented applications of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) in securing smart grids. Professor Yoshiyuki Kuroda of Yokohama National University discussed chemical designs of metal hydroxides, while Professor Saleh Shallaby of Tanta University delivered a presentation on advancements in concentrated solar power systems.

   The closing session, chaired by Prof. Salah Salman, featured a presentation by Prof. Mohamed Shaheen, researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Ibaraki, Japan), entitled “Advanced Ceramic Coatings Towards Achieving Carbon Neutrality,” and a presentation by Prof. Mohamed Barakat, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science, Tanta University, entitled “Alkaline Water Electrolysis for Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Production.”

   At the conclusion of the day, the inauguration ceremony of the Egypt Branch of the Nagoya University Alumni Association (NUAL), chaired by Prof. Salah Salman, was held. The ceremony included an address by Professor Naoshi Sugiyama, President of Nagoya University, followed by the presentation of the official certificate of recognition and a commemorative shield. Participating in the ceremony and delivering congratulatory remarks were Prof. Diaa El-Din Mansour, Vice President of the Branch; Prof. Ahmed Kamal, Secretary-General; and Prof. Ahmed Saad, Member of the Executive Office, in a celebratory atmosphere that affirmed the depth of scientific ties between the two nations.