Dr. El-Minshawy inaugurates the second scientific forum for professional programs at the Faculty of Commerce at Assiut University

* Dr.El-Minshawy: the forum embodies the role of Assiut University as a scientific Beacon supporting administrative modernization and digital transformation

* President of Assiut University: cooperation protocol with "South Valley" to implement joint professional programs in Masters and doctoral

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, opened today, Saturday, June, the activities of the second scientific forum for professional programs at the Faculty of Commerce, under the title" institutional reform and digital governance to support the building of the Egyptian state, " in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Akkawi, president of South Valley University, Dr. Saleh Al-Sheikh, professor of Public Administration at Cairo University, former head of the Central Organization for organization and administration, and Dr. Alaa Abdel Hafiz, dean of the Faculty of Commerce.

   The forum is organized by the Department of professional programs for graduate studies at the Faculty of Commerce, in cooperation with the scientific committee of the College Students ' Union, and under the supervision of:
 Dr. Ahmed Abdulmoula, vice president for education and Student Affairs, Dr. Jamal Badr, vice president for graduate studies and research, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Adawi, vice dean of the Faculty of Commerce for education and Student Affairs, and Dr. Nesma Heshmat, vice dean of the Faculty of Commerce for graduate studies and Research Affairs.

  The forum was attended by Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Alim, vice president of Assiut University for community service and Environmental Development, Dr. Mohammed Wael, vice president of South Valley University for graduate studies and research, Dr. Abu Hamad Mustafa, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at South Valley University, Dr. Alaa Taj, vice dean of the Faculty of Commerce at South Valley University, Dr. Khadija Arafa, head of the central department for community communication with the information and Decision Support Center by the Council of Ministers, Dr. Adel Rayyan, dean of the Faculty of management at Badr University in Assiut, and vice president of Assiut University for Dr. Abdullah Faisal, general coordinator of the forum, and executive director of professional programs at the Faculty of Commerce, Assiut University.

  Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, in his speech during the opening, expressed his happiness to participate in the opening of the second forum for professional programs at the Faculty of Commerce, stressing that this event represents an important step that embodies the role of Assiut University as a scientific and intellectual Beacon that keeps pace with the developments of the era and responds to its challenges, and expresses our firm commitment to support the efforts of the Egyptian state towards administrative modernization and digital transformation, which are essential steps on the way to building a strong modern state, possessing effective institutions and capable of achieving sustainable development.

The president of Assiut University stressed that institutional reform and digital governance are not only government orientations, but also academic and intellectual issues that require serious study, research and discussion, which is what we seek through this scientific forum, which includes a distinguished elite of professors and specialists, and combines theoretical and applied aspects, decision makers and science students, in order to exchange visions and provide constructive perceptions that enable the development of administrative performance and improve the efficiency of public services.

In this context, Dr. El-Minshawy revealed that the forum witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between Assiut University and South Valley University to implement a number of professional programs at the master's and doctoral stages, in accordance with the approved graduate studies regulations at the Faculty of Commerce – Assiut University, which reflects the keenness of the two universities to strengthen academic partnership and expand cooperation in the field of Professional Graduate Studies, which contributes to raising the efficiency of the educational process, meeting the needs of the labor market, and supporting comprehensive national development plans.

The president of Assiut University also stressed that the university pays great attention to professional programs, as an effective tool in linking the University and the labor market, and an effective means of qualifying cadres capable of dealing with the complexities of practical reality according to the highest standards of efficiency.

During his speech, Dr. Ahmed Akkawi, president of South Valley University, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Assiut University for its kind invitation to participate in the forum's activities, noting his pride in the existing cooperation between the two universities, and praising Assiut University's approval of the application of "South Valley" to benefit from the professional doctoral program offered by the Faculty of Commerce. He explained that this step is a qualitative leap in enhancing academic cooperation between regional universities, and contributes to expanding the circle of scientific benefit at the level of higher education institutions.

Dr. Akkawi stressed that South Valley University attaches great importance to administrative sciences, as one of the practical bases for understanding decision-making mechanisms, formulating public policies, and supporting economic and social development efforts. He also pointed out that the University's participation in this forum represents a valuable opportunity to learn about local and international experiences and expertise in the fields of institutional reform and governance, which is in line with the trends of the Egyptian state and Egypt's Vision 2030, which focuses on developing institutional capabilities, especially within universities as a key partner in the comprehensive development process.

 Dr. Ahmed Abdel Mola, vice president of Assiut University for education and Student Affairs, praised the launch of the second edition of the forum, which deals with one of the most vital topics related to institutional reform and strengthening digital governance, in support of the Egyptian state-building process. He stressed that the forum keeps pace with the vision of the state and the initiatives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aimed at consolidating the principles of transparency and combating corruption, through the use of digital transformation tools and artificial intelligence, which contribute to enhancing institutional efficiency, addressing challenges and advancing sustainable development.

Dr. Alaa Abdel Hafiz stressed that the forum comes within the framework of the college's keenness to actively contribute to supporting the efforts of the Egyptian state in the fields of institutional reform, strengthening governance, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, explaining that the College of Commerce was one of the first colleges to launch professional programs since the academic year 2011-2012, through international partnerships and funded projects that contributed to the establishment of specialized professional diplomas, which paved the way for the subsequent expansion of Professional Master's and doctoral programs.

He explained that these programs have witnessed an increasing turnout of students from various governorates of the Republic, as the number of students enrolled in professional master's and doctoral programs during the current academic year reached only (1579) students, including (1031) in professional masters, (548) in professional doctorate, as well as (475) students at Aswan University, and(462) at Luxor university, within the framework of cooperation protocols signed with regional universities, stressing that this success would not have been achieved without the great support provided by the university administration to support the career of professional programs.

For her side, Dr. Nesma Heshmat explained that the forum reflects Assiut University's commitment to supporting the state's efforts in institutional reform and activating digital governance, in line with the goals of Egypt's Vision 2030, noting that the college's Professional Programs Unit represents a successful model of this trend, through its specialized professional programs that prepare cadres capable of bridging the gap between academic education and practical application, and enhancing the link between the University and the needs of the labor market. She added that the forum is an effective platform to offer insights and practical solutions to the challenges of institutional reform, and enhance the efficiency and transparency of performance within institutions.

The opening session of the conference witnessed the signing of a joint cooperation protocol between the Faculty of Commerce - Assiut University and the Faculty of Commerce - South Valley University; which includes cooperation in the field of graduate studies, through the conclusion of a cooperation protocol for the implementation of professional graduate programs(Master/ PhD) credit hours system, provided by Assiut University, to be implemented jointly between the two parties at South Valley University.

The protocol was signed by Dr. Alaa Abdul Hafeez, dean of the Faculty of Commerce - Assiut University, and Dr. Abu Al - Hamad Mustafa Saleh, dean of the Faculty of Commerce-South Valley University.

The activities of the opening session concluded with the exchange of commemorative shields between Dr. Ahmed Al-manshawi, president of Assiut University, and Dr. Ahmed akwai, president of South Valley University.The Shield of Assiut University was also presented to Dr. Saleh al-Sheikh, Professor of Public Administration at Cairo University and former chairman of the central organization and administration authority, and the conference Shield was presented to the participating university leaders from various Egyptian universities.