Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, attended yesterday, a workshop organized by Alexandria University in cooperation with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the Horizon Egypt Program on "European Union Funding and Support for Scientific Research and Innovation." The workshop aimed to introduce European Union-funded projects and how researchers at Alexandria University can benefit from them, as well as how to apply for these projects, in addition to introducing grants provided by the European Union.

The workshop was held in the conference hall of the Faculty of Engineering. It was attended by Dr. Roshdi Zahran, former President of Alexandria University and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alexandria International University, Dr. Hisham Saeed, Vice President of Alexandria University for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Walid Abdelazim, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engineer Sherif Haddara, former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Yasser Refaat, former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, Chief Commissioner of the Horizon Europe Program and Vice President of the Prima Program at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Essam Wahba, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Wael El-Meghlani, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Dina El-Gayar, Director of the Project Management Unit at Alexandria University, Dr. Alaa Abdelbary, Vice President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Dr. Amr Radwan, Supervisor of Research and Innovation Support at the Academy of Scientific Research and Coordinator of the "Horizons Europe" Program, Ms. Zeinab El-Sadr, National Representative for the Horizon Europe & Erasmus Program at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a number of deans and vice deans of faculties, faculty members, researchers, and students.

In his speech, Dr. Konsowa emphasized that Alexandria University strongly supports all scientific seminars and meetings aimed at linking scientific research with industry to support the knowledge-based economy. He noted that Alexandria University, through its Technology Park, targets innovative ideas and applied scientific research by researchers capable of addressing the challenges facing the industrial sector and Egyptian society. He explained that these innovative projects will receive competitive funding, provided that these research ideas include solutions to industrial and societal problems. He also explained that the University provides a supportive and stimulating environment for researchers and young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to establish start-up companies, thus contributing to the growth of the national knowledge-based economy.

Dr. Roshdi Zahran emphasized that the workshop hosts creative minds from faculty members, researchers, graduate students, and representatives of academic and research institutions who share a passion for knowledge, research, and innovation. He emphasized that the workshop's sessions aim to highlight available funding mechanisms, exchange expertise on formulating successful research proposals, and build collaborative networks between local and international institutions. He noted that the workshop is a vital step toward enhancing cooperation between academia and industry. He emphasized that the goal of the Technology Park at Alexandria University is to transform Alexandria into a regional innovation centre by supporting knowledge transfer, empowering startups and entrepreneurs, and focusing on strategic sectors of interest to the Egyptian tour, such as information technology, digital transformation, energy, water management, food security, and biotechnology, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research to Achieve Sustainable Development.

Dr. Walid Abdelazim emphasized that this workshop is an exceptional opportunity for researchers in various scientific fields to learn about EU-funded projects and how to benefit from them, especially given the presence of representatives from these projects, who will present all the details for applying for these projects. He also explored ways to collaborate and build partnerships between researchers. He praised the role of Alexandria University, headed by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, in advancing scientific research, supporting researchers, and providing them with all the information they can benefit from to advance the university's scientific research system. He expressed his hope that the symposium would produce recommendations that would contribute to serving Egyptian society.

Dr. Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry pointed to the role of Alexandria University in the "European Horizons" program as a partner country in this agreement, which was initialed in April 2025. He emphasized that this program is an exceptional opportunity for researchers at Egyptian universities and research centres to obtain funding for their innovative research ideas. He also discussed the Prima initiative, which provides the necessary funding for competitive projects in the fields of water, food, agriculture, and energy, with joint funding from European Union countries and countries of the Southern Mediterranean.

Dr. Dina El-Gayar emphasized that this workshop sheds light on grants and projects offered by the European Union, how to benefit from them, and the practical steps that can be taken to accept them. It also highlights the successful experiences of some grant recipients and builds bridges between EU projects and university researchers to develop their skills. She emphasized that the workshop will include an open discussion to provide an opportunity for researchers and entrepreneurs to ask questions and help participants understand the funding mechanisms and available partnerships, and how to maximize the opportunities offered by the program to support their research and innovative projects.

The workshop included a lecture on introducing the European Union's Erasmus and Horizon program, presented by Dr. Amr Radwan and Ms. Zeinab El-Sadr. They reviewed the program's objectives, how to benefit from external grants provided by the European Union, and they also introduced the grants provided by the Academy of Scientific Research to link medical sciences with industry and strengthen ties between Egypt and the European Union.