Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, attended a distinguished astronomical event organized by the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science to observe sunspots as part of the Astronomy Day celebrations. The event featured live observation of sunspots using telescopes, drawing strong engagement from students and astronomy enthusiasts in an experience that combined scientific learning with the excitement of direct observation.
The event was held in the presence of Prof. Sobhy Sharaf, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, along with the faculty leadership, including Prof. Hossam Awad, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Prof. Yasser Kamal, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Islam El-Garwani, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research; Prof. Hani Abdel-Hamid, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; and Prof. Hala Abu Mostafa, Head of the Physics Department. Their participation reflected strong institutional support for scientific activities.
The University President was keen to join students during the observation activities, sharing with them moments of direct discovery of astronomical phenomena. He affirmed that the university places the dissemination of scientific and cosmic awareness at the top of its priorities and seeks to develop a generation capable of scientific thinking and innovation through hands-on activities that open new horizons and connect students with future sciences.
El-Kased added that the university is steadily advancing toward building an interactive learning environment aligned with global developments in science and technology, noting that such events serve as a real platform for discovering talents and refining research skills, in line with the state’s direction toward building a knowledge- and innovation-based society.
He also emphasized the university’s commitment to strengthening the integration between academic and applied aspects by supporting scientific and research activities and providing a stimulating environment for innovation, which contributes to graduating students capable of competing in both local and international labor markets.
He further explained that the coming period will witness an expansion in specialized workshops and enhanced cooperation with scientific and research institutions, offering students greater opportunities to engage with advanced expertise and compete regionally and internationally.
The scientific program included a rich set of activities, beginning with a lecture on solar activity delivered by Dr. Karim Masraga, Assistant Lecturer in the Physics Department, followed by a live sunspot observation session using telescopes. This was followed by an introductory lecture on astronomy and the role of the Egyptian Society for Astronomy Sciences presented by Abdelrahman Murad.
Sunspots are among the most prominent manifestations of solar magnetic activity, appearing as darker regions due to their relatively lower temperature, making their observation an important scientific window for understanding the behavior of the Sun and its effects.
The event also featured a special segment titled “A Window to the Sky: The Beauty of the Night Sky” presented by Engineer Osama Fathy, followed by a captivating night observation of the lunar surface and its craters, as well as tracking Jupiter and its moons—an experience that amazed attendees and sparked scientific curiosity.
The event concluded with notable student engagement in observation activities, reflecting growing scientific awareness within the university campus and affirming that Menoufia University continues its steady progress toward promoting a culture of exploration and shaping the future.
In a related context, Prof. Ahmed El-Kased conducted an inspection tour of the faculty’s laboratories and lecture halls as part of preparations for academic accreditation. During the tour, he reviewed the readiness of classrooms and laboratories in terms of equipment and technical capabilities, stressing the importance of complying with all quality requirements and standard criteria to enhance educational outcomes and strengthen the faculty’s competitiveness at both national and international levels.