Prof. Ahmed Elkased, Menofia University President, attended the launch of The Fifth Forum for The Federation of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities, entitled "Bridging Knowledge Cultures: Education, Innovation, and Sustainable Future". It is the fruit of collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Association of Arab Universities, the Federation of Russian and Arab Universities, and Capital University, which is hosting the Forum over Sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th of this December, at the Culture and Arts Center. The Forum is attended by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mr. Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; Mr. Georgy Borisenko, Russian Federation Ambassador in the Arab Republic of Egypt; Dr. V. A. Sadovnichy, Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia; Dr. Amr Ezzat Salamah, Secretary-general of the Association of Arab Universities; and Dr. Elsayed Kandil, President of Capital University (fka, Helwan University). The event is also attended by Prof. Nancy Asa'ad, Vice-president of Menofia National University for Academic Affairs; in addition to an elite presence of higher education leaders and representatives of the leading academic institutions in the Arab and Russian worlds, in order to foster scientific and research collaboration, as well as exchange expertise in the fields of higher education.

During his participation, Menofia University President stressed the importance of this forum as an international platform for supporting academic partnerships among Arab and Russian universities. He pointed out that this event comes within the framework of executing the national strategy of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to enhance globalization and academic openness, as well as support joint research projects. This should contribute to upgrading Egyptian universities' international ranking, developing the education and Innovation system, as well as carrying out the directives of his excellency President Abdulfattah Alsisi, by enhancing international partnerships in the field of higher education and scientific research.

Menofia University President said that the support of the political leadership for this portfolio is a cornerstone for developing Egyptian universities and upgrading their international status. He added that the Egyptian President's continuous directives to open to international academic and research institutions, and expand collaboration and expertise exchange programs, have helped create a more flexible and developed educational environment, and enabled universities to build strategic partnerships that foster innovation and open wider horizons for student and research exchange programs in different fields. Prof. Elkased also stressed that Menofia University is keenly interested in expanding its international partnerships, out of its vision to enhance globalization and develop education and scientific research. Menofia University also seeks to form more agreements with elite universities and research institutions around the world; with the intent of exchanging expertise, carrying out joint research projects, and supporting student and academic exchange programs.

Through the Forum, Menofia University seeks to sign a number of agreements and qualitative partnerships with the participating Arab and Russian universities; as it focuses on enhancing the fields of student exchange, joint programs, and collaboration in the fields of medical and engineering sciences, as well as advanced technologies. This should contribute to supporting development plans and upgrading the efficiency of the educational and research process; as these partnerships form a fundamental pillar in the University's strategy to upgrade study programs, open new venues for students and researchers, and prepare calibres capable of competing regionally and globally.

Menofia University President eventually stressed that the University is invested in extending collaboration bridges with international universities, as this would greatly affect the development of academic programs, polishing students' skills, and preparing graduates capable of competing at the regional and global job markets.

Prof. Ahmed Elkased and Prof. Nancy Asa'ad were keen to attend the Forum's plenary sessions, including the first plenary session, entitled "Beyond Borders: The Future of Arab-Russian Collaboration in Aviation and Space Sciences"; which discussed establishing The Federation of Arab-Russian Universities at the Space Observatory, to explore outer planets and search for evidence of life in the universe. The session was run by Dr. Rateb Anas Alsalem, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities; and was presented by Dr. Essam Aldeen Agamy, Rector of Sharjah University in UAE; Dr. Aleksandr Belinsky from Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia; Dr. Nabil Yaseen, from Helwan University in Egypt; and Dr. Genadi Alfrenko from Technologies of Trust in Russia.

The second plenary session, entitled "Forging the Future of Education and Community", included the topics of blending artificial intelligence into higher education curricula and university administration, ethical artificial intelligence and responsible innovation, and the role of universities in building comprehensive digital communities. This session was run by Dr. Victor Koksharov, Rector of Federal Oral University in Russia; and presented by Dr. Ghassan Awwad, Rector of Abu Dhabi University in UAE; Vadim Zidikiov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation) in Russia; Dr. Emad Elzeer, Palestine National University in Palestine; and Prof. Mikhail Shvetsov, Rector of Mary El University in Russia.

The third plenary session is entitled "Artificial Intelligence Diplomacy: Building Bridges through Innovation between Russia and the Arab World". It discusses pivotal topics, including artificial intelligence as a tool for international collaboration and soft power, building joint research and innovation systems in artificial intelligence, and education and building abilities compatible with the age of artificial intelligence. The session is run by Dr. Haidi Bayoumi, Cairo University; and is presented by Dr. Mushtaq Khaled Saleh, Rector of Anbar University in Iraq; Dr. Vladimir Nechaev, Rector of Sevastopol State University in Russia; Dr. Mohammad Ali Saleh, Helwan University in Egypt; Dr. Aleksi Svechev, Rector of Amur State University in Russia; Dr. Abdullah Alsafeer, Vice-president of King Saud University in KSA; and Dr. Pavel Moiseev, Rector of Tambov State University in Russia