In activation of the regional alliances initiative in Egyptian universities, Dr. Ahmed El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, witnessed the signing ceremony of a cooperation protocol between the National Liver Institute at the university and the Theodor Bilharz Institute, which aims to build a new generation of researchers in the medical and health fields, and develop the capabilities of those in charge of scientific research by making optimal use of the training and research capabilities available to both parties.

The protocol was signed by Dr. Osama Hegazy, Dean of the National Liver Institute and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute's hospitals, and Dr. Mohamed Abbas Shamis, Acting Director of the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Ahmed El-Kased welcomed the university guests and stressed that this cooperation comes from the responsibility of both parties towards community development and their awareness of the importance of their responsibility in contributing to qualifying a new generation of young researchers capable of keeping pace with modern technological applications in the field of health and medical research and working to develop the capabilities of those in charge of scientific research in general to meet the needs of the local and international labor market, and focusing on the importance of developing applied research that serves the surrounding community. Dr. Ahmed El-Kased pointed out that this protocol comes within the framework of activating the role of regional alliances for Egyptian universities, in implementation of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development", which enjoys the support and patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, and in line with achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research and implementing the regional alliances plan to support scientific research for industry and the national economy, and facing the challenges facing the various geographical regions across the Republic. El-Kased stressed the keenness of Menoufia University to conclude many partnerships with Egyptian universities and research centers in line with the vision of the state and the Ministry of Higher Education, which aims to develop the higher education system, achieve Egypt's Vision 2030, and support the efforts of the geographical regions in Egypt by providing distinguished educational and research opportunities for students in all governorates, and enhance the role of regional universities in developing local communities, and creating a stimulating climate for localizing and producing knowledge and linking the outputs of knowledge and innovation to the state's priorities, stressing the importance of conducting joint scientific research between Egyptian universities, noting that Egypt has many capabilities and qualified human cadres capable of making a qualitative leap in the field of scientific research. The President of Menoufia University stressed that the cooperation and integration between the National Liver Institute and the Theodor Bilharz Institute will include all scientific fields of common interest, conducting many joint researches and research projects, exchanging scientists and experts, especially in the field of liver transplantation, training graduate students, and qualifying distinguished young people who are aware of the objectives of specialized knowledge and skills within a framework of equality, joint cooperation and exchange of privileges, in addition to organizing joint scientific conferences and seminars and health and awareness convoys for the areas surrounding the two institutions and the areas most in need, in addition to exchanging experiences and support regarding the accreditation of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision (GAHAR). The envoy explained that the National Liver Institute at the university obtained academic accreditation for the quality of education from the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education, so that the certificates of graduates holding master's and doctorates in various specializations become accredited certificates. In the field of health care, the institute's hospital, as the first university hospital, obtained preliminary accreditation from the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision (GAHAR), within the framework of the university's keenness to provide a high-quality medical service that matches Global standards for the quality of health care, hoping that the cooperation between him and the Theodor Bilharz Institute will result in many scientific researches and important events, praising the keenness of both parties to work in a team spirit.
For his part, the Dean of the Theodor Bilharz Institute thanked the President of Menoufia University and the Dean of the National Liver Institute, praising the capabilities of the Liver Institute in all fields, stressing the importance of integration between the two sides, especially in the field of scientific research and liver transplantation.
The signing ceremony of the protocol was attended by Dr. Hani Shraim, Vice Dean of the Institute for Community Service and Environmental Development, Dr. Iman Abdel Samee, Vice Dean of the Institute for Postgraduate Studies, and Dr. Ahmed Attia, Executive Director of the National Liver Institute Hospital, and from the Theodor Bilharz Institute, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Head of the Clinical Surgical Division and Professor of General Surgery, Dr. Tarek Abu Shousha, former Vice President of the Institute and Professor of Pathology, Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Ezz, Professor of Gastroenterology and Liver, and Dr. Ahmed Hassan, Assistant Professor of Molluscs.