November 9, 2025
Under the patronage of Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, the Sustainable Development Center, affiliated with the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, organized an educational seminar today, Sunday, 9 November, titled “The University: A Driver of Sustainable Development.” The seminar was held under the supervision of Professor Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, Professor Saleh Mahmoud Ismail, Director of the Center, and Dr. Ahmed El-Shoury, Seminar Coordinator. The event was attended by several deans and vice-deans, faculty members, staff, and students.
Professor El-Minshawy emphasized that Assiut University affirms its role as a driver of sustainable development. Through its academic, research, and community initiatives, the University seeks to foster a culture of sustainability among students and faculty, linking scientific research to the needs of local communities. He highlighted the University’s commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and actively contribute to building a sustainable future for Egypt.
During the seminar, Professor Abdel-Aleem delivered a lecture titled “The University as a Strategic Partner in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” in which he discussed the concept of sustainable development and its seventeen goals. He outlined mechanisms for implementing them within the University through curriculum development, continuous education, student awareness programs, and research and innovation. He noted that Assiut University has achieved high rankings in The Impact Ranking, which evaluates universities’ contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, stressing that attaining these goals requires strategic partnerships with both the public and private sectors and a continuous approach to innovation across all University activities.
Professor Ismail presented a lecture titled “Towards a Sustainable University: Initiatives and Projects of the Sustainable Development Center,” reviewing the University’s diverse policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including educational, environmental, economic, social, institutional, and technological policies. He explained that the Center organizes a year-round series of seminars and workshops aligned with international observances, alongside student initiatives such as “Towards a Green University,” “Sustainability Ambassadors,” “Champions of Change,” and “Making a Difference,” aiming to engage students in sustainability efforts and community service.
Dr. El-Shoury delivered a lecture titled “The University as a Driver of Sustainable Development: Seminar Vision and Objectives,” emphasizing that the modern university is no longer merely an educational institution but a strategic actor in sustainable development, combining innovative education, applied scientific research, and informed community engagement. He highlighted that the seminar aimed to link research to local community needs, empower university youth to participate in environmental and developmental activities, and promote the culture of a green university while fostering community dialogue on ways to improve the local environment in line with sustainable development objectives.
