The British University in Egypt (BUE) hosted Alfredo Moscardini Emeritus, Professor at Sunderland University UK and visiting Professor at Cardiff Metropolitan University UK.
Professor Moscardini delivered a lecture entitled “The Impact of Thinking Systems in Higher Education” to the Academic staff and Faculty members from the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science, and the Faculty of Informatics and Computer Science.
The visit was attended by many faculty members from both faculties and was held under the auspices of Professor Wadouda Badran, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science.
Professor Moscardini is one of the best scholars in the UK in systems thinking and cybernetics. He is a prominent professor currently affiliated with Northumbria and Cardiff Met Universities.
The professor’s academic experience is not only limited to UK universities but has also been affiliated with other European and Middle Eastern Universities.
He has also worked early in his career at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
Professor Moscardini’s research areas include Mathematical Modelling, Development of Interactive Computer Software, Systems Dynamics, Cybernetics, Operational Excellence Lean Methodology, and New Pedagogies.
He has a prosperous publication record including over 200 books, journal articles, and conference Papers. He has Supervised over 25 Ph.D. dissertations and organized over 20 international conferences.
The professor has also written successfully and obtained around 25 research projects in UK universities with total funds of 28 million euros.
During the lecture, he the role of academics, universities, and systemic thinking in higher education and highlighted the role of universities given the technological changes that the world is experiencing during what he labeled the Industry 4.0 revolution.
Professor Moscardini characterized the Industry 4.0 revolution by robots, intelligent Algorithms, deep learning, and fifth-generation technology (5G), as well as areas already affected by the current technological revolution, including Manufacturing, Agriculture, Management Banking, Law, Health, Transport, and Fashion.
He concluded by highlighting that the current main problem in many societies is the fact that there is a skills gap and that some graduates do not fit in with the changing job market, and therefore graduates need to be flexible.
In a statement, Professor Mohamed Loutfi, President and Vice-Chancellor of the British University in Egypt, stressed the need to provide the necessary training for faculty members and staff, as it represents an important point that affects and advances the educational process, pointing to the British University’s keenness to select highly qualified professors.
Professor Loutfi explained that the British University in Egypt, like other universities worldwide, seeks to prepare qualified human competencies to contribute to the development and meet the job market’s needs.
“Competencies could be achieved by increasing the student’s knowledge and developing their approaches and various thinking skills, following a distinguished educational system through directing capabilities, raising the scientific level, and research and training,” he noted.
The professor highlighted that the strategy of internationalization of education pursued by the British University through international cooperation with British universities contributed significantly to improving staff and student performance within the university community.
In turn, Professor Wadouda Badran highlighted that enhancing the students’ learning experience is a cornerstone of the policies, practices, and procedures adopted by the British University in Egypt.
“In this context, developing staff’s knowledge, skills and competencies is a top priority. A priority is reflected in the organization of various sessions which cover a wide range of topics ranging from teaching methods to political, economic, and technical developments in the global arena,” she pointed out.
At the end of the visit, Professor Moscardini expressed his gratitude for the visit and appreciated the warm reception he received from the President of the University.
He praised the facilities he visited at the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics, and Political Science at the British University, and the system for selecting faculty members and academics.
