Russian Education Delegation Visits Egypt to Boost Academic Cooperation

A high-profile delegation from Russia's Peoples' Friendship University has arrived in Egypt for a week-long visit aimed at strengthening educational ties between the two countries. The delegation, visiting from February 23 to March 1, includes Professor Veronika Khulina, Professor Elena Abasova, and Dr. Mohamed Selim. They plan to engage in a series of activities designed to foster collaboration in higher education.

The visit kicks off with an Olympiad scholarship competition for Egyptian youth, offering winners the opportunity to study at the prestigious Russian Peoples' Friendship University. Following the competition, the delegation will participate in a roundtable discussion with representatives of Egyptian universities. This dialogue will explore avenues for deeper cooperation, including student and faculty exchange programs, as well as joint academic initiatives, both in-person and online.

Dr. Mohamed Selim, a professor at the Russian Peoples' Friendship University, noted that the high participation rate in the Olympiad reflects Egyptian students’ growing trust in Russian education. "We are eager to engage in direct dialogue with Egyptian universities to further strengthen our educational partnerships," Selim said.

In his remarks, Murad Gatin, Director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, emphasized the strategic importance of the visit, describing it as a step toward building educational bridges between the two nations. He confirmed that Russian scholarships would be awarded to Olympiad participants, highlighting the visit's role in advancing bilateral relations.

In turn, Sherif Gad, President of the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities, praised the Peoples' Friendship University for its longstanding commitment to cooperation with Egypt. "Since its establishment in 1960, the university has welcomed a large number of Egyptian students, consistently participating in educational exhibitions in Cairo," Gad said.

The visit's highlight will be a roundtable discussion scheduled for February 25 at the Russian House in Cairo. The event will feature a distinguished panel, including: Hamdy Labib, President of the Dialogue Foundation for Human Studies and Research, Murad Gatin, Director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt; Shady El-Shafie, President of the Egyptian-Russian Foundation for Culture and Science; Dr. Elena Abasova, Vice President of the Peoples' Friendship University; Dr. Veronika Khulina, Head of the Regional Economics and Geography Department at the Peoples' Friendship University; Dr. Mohamed Selim, President of the Eurasia and BRICS Forum and Professor of Economics at the Peoples' Friendship University, and Dr. Sayed Amara, Professor of Strategic Planning at the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education.

The session will be moderated by the well-known media figure Hany El-Gamal.

The roundtable is expected to explore future collaboration opportunities, including joint research projects and cultural exchange programs. It is seen as a crucial step in enhancing educational diplomacy between Egypt and Russia.