Prof. Ahmed El-Kased attended the inauguration of The Egyptian-French Convention, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in collaboration with The French Cultural Institute, The French Embassy in Egypt, and The Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in France. Concurrent with the French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Cairo, the Convention is held on the 7th and 8th of April, under the auspices of Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Prof. Philippe Baptiste, French Minister of Higher Education; and the elite contribution of Egyptian and French university presidents, and leaders in higher education and scientific research from both countries; including 400 participants from more than 100 Egyptian and French Institute, as well as representatives of the biggest French corporates in Egypt. Menofia University President was accompanied by Prof. Sobhy Sharaf, Vice-president for Community Services and Environmental Affairs; Prof. Nancy Asaad, Menofia National University Vice-president for Academic Affairs; Prof. Ashraf Balbaa, Menofia National University Dean of the Medical Sector; and Prof. Ghada Hassan, Menofia University International Relations Coordinator.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased confirmed that the Convention is held alongside French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Egypt, accompanied by a high level delegate that includes the French Minister of Education and a number of French universities' presidents. This Convention comes within the framework of the Egyptian government's strategy and President Abdulfattah Alsis's keeness on fostering international collaboration in higher education, especially with a European country like France; enhancing academic and researc cooperation between universities in both countries, supporting bilateral cultural relations; and expanding memorandums and protocols to stregnthen international partnerships.

Prof. El-Kased appreciated the efforts of President Abdulfattah Alsisi and his diligent concern in fostering international partnerships in the field of higher education and scientific research, as it is the essential base for sustaining development, meeting millinnial demands and Egypt's 2030 Vision, transforming Egypt into a regional center for education and scientific research, attracting foreign investments in the academic field, and connecting intended learning outcomes with the needs of the fourth industrial revolution.

Menofia University President added that Prof. Hossam Othman, Deputy Minster for Innovation and Scientific Research Affairs, headed the inauguration session on behalf of Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Prof. Othman welcomed the attendees, including an elite number of Egyptian and French Academics and researchers. He commended the bilateral educational and cultural relations, which reflect common globalization interests. The Deputy Minister presented the seven basic principles of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research. The Convention also included talks by Prof. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities; Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning and Labor Market Qualificatiom and Training; Prof. Mamdouh Muawwad, Director of the National Research Institute; Dr. Laurent Gatineau, Rector of CY Cergy at Paris University and the representative of France Universite; and Dr. Anton Pute, Director of the French National Institute for Scientific research.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased also pointed out that the Convention's agenda included discussing ways to foster bilateral collaboration, signing cooperation protocols between Egypt and France that are backed up by the Supreme Council of Universities-- including one with French engineering schools, and one between the the French Embassy and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Fund for Post-doctoral programs.

The events of the Convention also include a number of specalized panels on "Globalizing Higher Education and Scientific Research Systems"; "Egyptian-French Academic Collaboratio-- Present and Future Possibilities";  "Lessons Learned and Future Horizons" to evaluate experiences and explore future cooperation fields; "Enhancing Connections between Academia and the Business Sector"; in addition to discussion sessions on collaborating in fostering scientific research and innovationabilities through partnerships. Participants in these sessions include Egyptian and French university presidents; and a large number of academics and representatives of the private, labor, and industrial sectors in both countries--which would foster the connections between the academic system and the labor market, as well as contribute in developing study programs that meet the actual needs of national economy.

El-Kased stressed Menofia University's endeavor to enhance its international presence through forging academic and research partnerships with international universities and institutes, in accordance with the national strategy for higher education and the Egyptian government's strategy for fostering international cooperation in higher education. Menofia University seeks to develop the procedures needed to achieve this goal by placing innovative strategies for enhancing international academic partnerships, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship via stressing the role of business incubators and innovation centers within campus, encouraging students to transform their ideas into development projects, blending in modern technologies (such as artificial intelligence and e-learning) to become an essential part of the educational system, in addition to developing the university's digital infrastructure so that Menofia University becomes an active member on the academic arena, which would enhance its status and contribute to Egypt's 2030 Vision for higher education