In an introductory meeting, during which both Parties tackled all means of cooperation between Portuguese universities and Ain Shams University, which resulted in the commencement of study in the Department of Portuguese at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University in cooperation with the Portuguese University of Porto. They also discussed the development of the pioneering relationship between Ain Shams University and the University of Porto and the establishment of an international joint degree in Portuguese Language and Literature.

H.E. Ambassador Manuela Franco has also volunteered to give lectures in the Department of Portuguese at the Faculty of Al-Alsun in her academic capacity as a distinguished former university professor.

Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Mohamed Fathy Saoud (Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Students’ Affairs) expressed his sincere gratitude for her initiative, which will represent effective support in developing the relationships between the two Parties and strengthening the practical value of the degree of the Department of Portuguese at the University.

The Meeting also tackled the means of cooperation between Ain Shams University and the Portuguese universities in the fields of student exchange, e-learning, research, and exchange of academic and research experiences between the Egyptian and Portuguese universities in the field of dealing and combating the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as cooperation with African Portuguese-speaking universities in all fields.

At the end of the Meeting, the two Parties agreed on further meetings and cooperation to achieve a qualitative shift in the pioneering relationship between Ain Shams University, the University of Porto and the various Portuguese universities. They also agreed on starting immediate communication between the Faculty of Al-Alsun represented by Prof. Dr. Salwa Rashad (Dean) and the Portuguese Ambassador, H.E. Manuela Franco to achieve all the steps agreed upon to develop a department for the Portuguese Language at the Faculty of Al-Alsun.