Within the framework of Ain Shams University’s keenness to support and care for students, especially those with disabilities, and to work to make the educational process available to students and integrate them into society to achieve an inclusive university society without barriers in light of the Disability Law and to achieve the goals of sustainable development and Egypt’s Vision 2030, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zein El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, received Dr. Quincy Dermody, representative of the Amideast Foundation and director of the public university scholarships project at the Amideast Foundation for Education and Training Services. The meeting took place in the presence of Prof. Shahira Samir, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Cooperation Sector, Dr. Dina Mohsen, Deputy Director of the Government Grants Program and responsible for implementing the disability program in 20 public universities, Prof. Ibrahim Saeed Hamza, Assistant Secretary of the University for Education and Student Affairs, and Mr. Reham Al-Atefi, Director General of the Department of Education and Student Affairs.

Where Prof. Mohamed Dia pointed out that students with disabilities have full support from the university administration, explaining that they have abilities, creativity, and positive energies in many fields, appreciating the role of civil society organizations and their efforts with the university.

His Excellency also called for the need to correct the concept of integration so that educational services are provided to students with disabilities in a way that suits their disability, which makes them truly in demand in the labor market.

Dr. Quincy Dermody explained the role of the AMIDEAST Foundation, which aims to advance the development goals of governmental organizations and bodies, and international development donors, in designing and implementing programs that strengthen institutions throughout Egypt, noting that students will be qualified for the labor market and developed, so that they are equal to other students, as well as making programs available. And their own buildings, in addition to appropriate facilities so that they can complete their university studies well.

Also, the role of the university cities sector in particular is to provide all means of subsistence and distinguished hotel accommodation for male and female students affiliated with the scholarships, and to provide them with exemplary, integrated care.

Her Excellency requested that the protocol concluded between the Amed East Foundation and the Center for the Care of Students with Disabilities, headed by Dr. Rana El-Helaly, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, be extended for another year to provide more services for our students with disabilities.

Dr. Dina Mohsen, Deputy Director of the Government Grants Program and responsible for implementing the disability program, expressed her appreciation for the effective role of the Center for Care for Students with Disabilities at Ain Shams University, which is the first of five centers opened at the level of Egyptian universities.

It is worth noting that the Center for the Care of Students with Disabilities at the university seeks to support and promote inclusive education for students with disabilities by providing a set of integrated services, which include providing sign language interpreters during lectures or any event within the university, providing chaperones, and providing classroom facilities to ensure a better experience. The lecture is complete and maximum benefit is reached, such as giving the student places where he can see appropriately, facilities for taking notes and others according to the different needs of each student, providing alternative texts such as printing materials in Braille, in addition to facilitating exams such as providing additional time, converting the exam to electronic, special committees. And others that are appropriate for each student and in coordination with the subject professor, in addition to providing various training for employees, faculty members and students to raise awareness about disability, providing various workshops for all students, supporting the university administration, employees and students to activate the required integration processes and remove barriers that limit the integration of students with disabilities.