Mansoura University President Participates in the Closing Ceremony of the Egyptian-French Forum for Scientific and Academic Cooperation

Mansoura University is among Ten Egyptian Universities participating in the signing of a framework letter of intent with the French group VATEL in the field of hospitality and management.

Prof. Cherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, participated in the closing ceremony of the Egyptian-French Forum for Scientific and Academic Cooperation, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The event was attended by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mr. Eric Chevallier, French Ambassador to Cairo; Prof. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities; Prof. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister and Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector; Prof. Shahenda Ezzat, Egyptian Cultural Attaché in France; and a number of presidents and vice presidents of Egyptian universities, representatives of French universities, and leaders from the Ministry of Higher Education. The event was held at a Cairo hotel.

Prof. Cherif Khater witnessed the signing of a framework letter of intent between the French group Vatel, a global leader in hospitality and tourism management, and ten Egyptian universities, including Mansoura University. The framework letter of intent was officially signed by Prof. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, and Prof. Essam El-Kurdi, President of El Alamein International University, representing Egyptian universities, along with representatives of the French side. This represents a qualitative step towards supporting the tourism and hospitality sector in Egypt. The cooperation aims to transfer French expertise in hotel and tourism education to Egyptian universities, preparing qualified personnel with academic and practical skills up to international standards. The partnership also enables the creation of joint academic and training programs and international training opportunities for Egyptian university students, enhancing the quality of education and linking it to the labor market. This supports Egypt's Vision 2030 and strengthening its position as a regional center for hotel and tourism education in the Middle East and Africa.

Prof. Cherif Khater added that Mansoura University's participation in this international cooperation represents a qualitative step towards internationalizing the programs of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels and raising the quality of hotel and tourism education at the university. He explained that the cooperation with the Vatel Group enables the provision of educational programs that combine theoretical study and practical training according to the French system accredited by the RNCP, granting the university's graduates certificates with international professional recognition. He pointed out that the agreement allows for the use of the international academic label "VATEL," recognized in more than fifty countries, granting graduates globally recognized professional degrees. This agreement also provides for the transfer of expertise and knowledge through the academic and training operating manual accredited by the parent institution in France, as well as international academic exchange for students and faculty members through joint international programs. He emphasized that this partnership falls within the framework of Mansoura University's vision for academic openness and international integration, and supports the state's drive to link education with the local and international labor market. He noted that the Vatel Group is ranked first in France and thirteenth globally in the hospitality sector, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. It has more than fifty branches in thirty-one countries, enhancing opportunities for student and academic exchange and contributing to the development of globally competitive staff. He also added that Mansoura University is making steady progress toward expanding international academic partnerships and developing specialized educational programs, in implementation of the state's strategy to make Egyptian higher education a center of creativity and excellence in the region.

In his closing remarks at the forum, Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized the depth of the historical relations between Egypt and France in the fields of higher education and scientific research. He noted the Egyptian state's commitment to strengthening cultural and scientific cooperation with France. He expressed his appreciation for France's support for Egypt, its endorsement of Dr. Khaled El-Enany's nomination for the position of UNESCO Director-General, and its support for the peace efforts culminated in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit. He added that today's celebration represents a new step in the path of Egyptian-French cooperation, through the signing of several framework letters of intent between ten Egyptian universities and the Vatel Group in the fields of hospitality and management. This brings the number of agreements and letters of intent signed since the French President's visit to fifty-two. These agreements aim to develop curricula and enhance communication with the private sector to provide distinguished training opportunities, in addition to academic exchange programs with France. He also emphasized that this cooperation reflects a shared vision and belief in the future, citing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's statements about making Egypt a regional center for higher education and innovation, and French President Emmanuel Macron's statements, in which he emphasized that Egypt and France are moving together on the path of creativity and innovation toward the world.

The French Ambassador to Cairo, Mr. Eric Chevalier, welcomed the significant development witnessed in university and scientific cooperation between Egypt and France, stressing that academic cooperation between the two countries has become a strategic pillar of bilateral relations. He pointed out that the diversity of more than eighty academic projects embodies the strength of the Egyptian-French partnership in serving youth and facing future challenges.

Prof. Mustafa Refaat also said that this forum complements the achievements made since the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two sides last April, during the French President's visit to Cairo, which marked a significant milestone in the course of relations between the two countries. He explained that the forum embodies the depth of academic and research ties between Egypt and France and affirms both sides' commitment to expanding strategic cooperation in higher education and scientific research to support sustainable development and build a society based on knowledge and creativity.

Prof. Dr. Ayman Farid emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural, academic, and scientific cooperation over the past period, pointing to the tireless efforts exerted by the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector and the Egyptian Cultural Office in Paris over the course of two years. These efforts resulted in the provision of 100 joint French-Egyptian scholarships for Egyptian students, in addition to the conclusion of numerous agreements between French and Egyptian universities, the most recent of which was the signing of an agreement to establish the "Academy of Architecture and Urbanism."