Created: 04 June 2026

 

 

 

Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Acting President of Alexandria University, witnessed today, Thursday, June 4, 2026, the inauguration of the Educational Service Center for the Tomato Value Chain at the Faculty of Agriculture. The center has a production capacity of 4 tons every 8 hours and a total cost of €1.3 million for production lines and equipment, in addition to Alexandria University’s contribution of approximately EGP 45 million for infrastructure and facility preparation. This comes within the framework of cooperation between Alexandria University, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The inauguration was attended by Eng. Ayman Attia, Governor of Alexandria; Dr. Affaf Al-Oufy, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Heba Salama, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Ambassador Sasho Podlessnik, Ambassador of Slovenia; Dr. Ahmed Megawer, Assistant Minister of Industry for International Cooperation; Dr. Patrick Gellabert, UNIDO Representative; and Dr. Tiberio Ciare, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, along with a number of deans and vice deans of faculties and institutes at Alexandria University, representatives of international partner organizations, and faculty members and researchers.

The center is the first educational and applied facility specialized in the production of peeled whole tomatoes and diced peeled tomatoes within an Egyptian university. It aims to support the food processing industry, enhance the added value of agricultural crops, and provide training and capacity-building for students, graduates, and technical staff on the latest food processing technologies, contributing to food security and sustainable development.

In his speech, Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim emphasized that the inauguration represents the culmination of Alexandria University’s distinguished efforts, leveraging its scientific, research, and training capabilities to present an integrated model that links education, scientific research, and practical application, contributing to the development of the food processing sector and maximizing the value of agricultural products. He praised the successful partnership with UNIDO and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, which reflects international confidence in Alexandria University’s capabilities to implement impactful economic and social development projects.

He added that the center represents a qualitative addition to the Faculty of Agriculture and Alexandria University, as it will contribute to training and qualifying students, graduates, and technical personnel in modern food processing technologies, enhancing their readiness for the labor market and supporting the state’s efforts toward developing the food industry and achieving food security. He also expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Agriculture administration, faculty members, researchers, and project implementers for their efforts in achieving this milestone, stressing that the center marks a starting point for further initiatives and partnerships that serve society and support the national economy. He concluded by expressing appreciation to all international supporting entities, noting that this cooperation reflects the distinguished status of Alexandria University at both regional and international levels.

For his part, Governor Ayman Attia stated that launching the first locally established peeled tomato production line in Egypt at the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, is not merely an industrial project, but a real step toward localizing the food industry, strengthening food security, reducing imports, deepening local manufacturing, and maximizing the added value of Egyptian products. He added that the center is the result of successful cooperation between state institutions, universities, and international organizations, praising Alexandria University’s role in linking scientific research with practical application and community service.

He further noted that the center represents a strong addition to the food industry sector in Alexandria Governorate, as it opens the door for products that were previously heavily dependent on imports, thereby supporting the national economy and providing training and employment opportunities for youth and graduates according to the latest standards. He reaffirmed the Governorate’s commitment to supporting development and research projects that serve society and enhance Alexandria’s position as a leading scientific, industrial, and economic hub.

Dr. Heba Salama highlighted that the center represents a new scientific and applied landmark that strengthens the university’s role in serving the agricultural sector and supporting sustainable development, embodying integration between education, research, and community service. She noted that the cost of production lines and equipment amounted to approximately €1.3 million funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, while Alexandria University contributed about EGP 45 million for infrastructure and facility development.

She added that the center reflects the Faculty of Agriculture’s commitment to presenting an integrated scientific and applied model that connects researchers, farmers, and the food processing sector. It aims to provide educational, training, and consultancy services that enhance skills, build capacity, and support agricultural production and food processing in line with sustainable development goals.

Ambassador Sasho Podlessnik emphasized the strong relations between Egypt and Slovenia, expressing his pleasure in cooperating with Alexandria University, particularly in green economy projects, micro-projects, environmental protection, and sustainable development, noting that green transformation and sustainability are the main pillars of the future.

Dr. Tiberio Ciare praised bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Italy in the agricultural sector, stating that such projects serve as a bridge for exchanging expertise and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Dr. Ahmed Megawer stressed that the inauguration represents a practical model linking scientific research with production, industry, and the knowledge economy, contributing to innovation and modern industrial cooperation models that maximize economic returns and invest in the potential of Egyptian youth.

At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Ali Badarna, Head of the Food Security and Food Systems Department at UNIDO in Vienna, delivered a presentation highlighting the achievements of the Tomato Value Chain project in Egypt, and its role in supporting agricultural processing, enhancing value addition, and promoting sustainable development.