Professor Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, received His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Advisor to the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates, and his accompanying delegation on Monday, August 18, 2025. The meeting discussed ways to enhance mutual cooperation and reviewed the final preparations for the launch of the university's new branch in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the academic year 2025/2026.

The meeting was attended by the university's vice presidents, as well as several deans of faculties and institutes, advisors, assistant to the University President for Internationalization and International Relations, and members of the International Relations Office. The meeting reviewed prospects for cooperation in the fields of education and scientific research, and the role of the university's Abu Dhabi branch in providing distinguished higher education in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the UAE Vision 2030.

In his speech, Dr. Konsowa welcomed the Emirati delegation, emphasizing the deep historical relations between Egypt and the UAE, and praising His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa's significant support for the establishment of the new branch. He explained that Alexandria University possesses academic cadres capable of preparing globally competitive alumni, who meet the development requirements of the UAE. He also noted its expertise in internationalizing education and offering dual programs and degrees in collaboration with prestigious international universities.

For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed expressed his pleasure at visiting the prestigious Alexandria University, appreciating its distinguished academic reputation regionally and internationally. He emphasized that establishing the university's branch in Abu Dhabi will contribute to supporting scientific research linked to the knowledge economy and offering quality academic and professional programs that enable students to obtain dual or joint degrees with international universities. This represents a significant addition and attraction for students from the region, reflecting the deep fraternal relations between the two countries.

** Reviewing Academic and Research Experiences

The meeting included introductory presentations about the university's faculties, institutes, and research centres, their achievements in international rankings, and their joint programs with international universities. The deans of the faculties also reviewed pioneering models of academic cooperation, including:

• The Manchester Program at the Faculty of Medicine.
• Dual programs in the faculties of Dentistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Administration with prestigious American and European universities.

The university also showcased its efforts to link scientific research with the knowledge economy through the Technology Park project.

**A Field Tour of Alexandria University Hospitals

Following the meeting, the University President accompanied His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa and the accompanying delegation on an inspection tour of Smouha University Hospital for Paediatric Medicine and Surgery and Smouha University Specialized Hospital.

The tour included visits to the departments of Paediatric Cardiac Catheterization, Stroke and Brain Catheterization, Adult Cardiac Catheterization Units, Open Heart Surgery, Respiratory and Digestive Endoscopy, Vascular Surgery and Interventional Catheterization, and the Electrophysiology Unit. The delegation listened to a detailed explanation from the medical teams about the latest technologies and services provided.

The UAE delegation expressed their admiration for the advanced level of Alexandria University hospitals and the competence of their medical staff, thanking the university administration for its efforts in developing medical education and health services.