November 5, 2025

Under the patronage of Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, the Community Problems Monitoring and Study Center, affiliated with the University’s Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, organized an awareness seminar titled “Parliamentary Elections: The Role of the Academic Elite in Building the Egyptian State.” The event was held on Wednesday, November 5, in cooperation with the National Center for Social and Criminological Research in Cairo.

The seminar was supervised by Professor Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Hala Ramadan, Director of the National Center for Social and Criminological Research in Cairo; and organized by Professor Ali Maabad, Director of the Community Problems Monitoring and Study Center; Dr. Asmaa Gaber Mehran, Deputy Director of the Center and Seminar Coordinator; and Dr. Amira Mohamed Anwar, Supervisor of the National Center for Social and Criminological Research branch in Assiut. The event also featured the participation of Professor Ragab El-Kahlawey, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law for Education and Students, and Dr. Ali Ghanem, Professor at the National Center for Social and Criminological Research in Cairo.

The seminar was attended by Professor Doweib Hussein Saber, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Professor Yasmine El-Kahky, Dean of the Faculty of Specific Education; Mr. Shawkat Saber, Secretary-General of the University; Mr. Osama El-Sayed and Mr. Ayman Shehata, Assistant Secretaries-General, along with a number of faculty vice deans, academic staff, administrative leaders, employees, and students from various faculties.

Professor El-Minshawy stated that organizing the seminar comes within the national and educational role the university fulfills as a leading academic institution committed to raising awareness and enhancing community engagement. He noted that the university continuously supports national efforts to strengthen public awareness and reinforce democratic values.

The University President affirmed that the academic elite represents a powerful intellectual force supporting the Egyptian state by contributing to political awareness among youth and promoting values of participation, responsibility, and national belonging.

In his remarks, Professor Abdel-Aleem emphasized the crucial role the university plays in spreading community awareness as a center of thought, enlightenment, and national dialogue. He added that the academic elite is a cornerstone in building and stabilizing societal awareness, helping foster a political culture that recognizes the importance of electoral participation and affirms that every citizen’s voice is a driving force for change and reform.

For his part, Professor Maabad explained that the Community Problems Monitoring and Study Center is committed to addressing issues directly affecting society, foremost among them the development of sound public awareness. He highlighted that the academic elite plays an essential role in spreading such awareness among university students and their peers. He added that their role in the electoral process extends beyond participation to shaping thought and promoting a culture of informed decision-making in choosing parliamentary representatives. He emphasized that the academic elite constitutes a cornerstone of the New Republic and serves as the link between scientific expertise and practical application in service of society and the state.

During the seminar, Professor El-Kahlawey discussed the legal dimensions of elections and the role of academics in raising awareness of the legislative frameworks that ensure the integrity of the democratic process. He underscored the importance of young people understanding their electoral rights and responsibilities to build a strong institutional state grounded in legal awareness.

Professor Ghanem addressed the political aspects of the electoral process, noting that academic faculty and staff play a significant role in promoting political participation and national belonging. He stressed the importance of encouraging students and the academic community to assume an active role in public life in support of state stability and sustainable development.

Dr. Asmaa Gaber Mehran highlighted the university’s ongoing effort to integrate academic expertise with practical engagement in addressing societal issues. She explained that the university aims not only to graduate educated individuals but to prepare active citizens capable of critical analysis and positive participation in shaping the nation’s future. She added that the seminar reflects the constructive cooperation between the Community Problems Monitoring and Study Center and the National Center for Social and Criminological Research in strengthening political and social development and fostering responsible electoral awareness rooted in both national duty and academic rigor.

At the end of the seminar, Dr. Amira Mohamed Anwar expressed her pleasure in participating in an event that brings together two major academic institutions working collaboratively to serve society and promote awareness. She emphasized that the electoral process is a fundamental pillar of the democratic path in the New Republic and reflects the Egyptian people’s recognition of their role and responsibility in building the future of their nation.