The Minister of Higher Education states that the file of supporting students with disabilities has unprecedented support from the President of the Republic

The Minister of Higher Education: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is keen to meet his children in “Capable with Differences”

Dr. Ayman Ashour confirms:

- Organizing student activities, workshops, and awareness and educational seminars

- Increasing interest of the universities in the rights of students with disabilities

- Providing facilities and various services for the disabled students.

- The ministry exerts concerted efforts to integrate the disabled students and guarantee their rights.

Dr. Ayman Ashour, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirmed that the file of supporting students with disabilities has unprecedented support from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic with the aim of empowering these students and integrating them into society; As one of the priorities of the Egyptian state; With the aim of improving the lives of these people, and ensuring that they obtain their full rights.

The Minister of Higher Education pointed out the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s keenness to meet his children of special needs in the “Capable with Difference” celebration, which has become an annual meeting, which culminated in the opening of the fifth edition of the “Capable with Difference” celebration.

Dr. Ayman Ashour pointed to the Ministry of Higher Education’s interest in the file of students with disabilities, working to provide them with all facilities, paying attention to their psychological rehabilitation, and creating opportunities for students to learn skills and gain various experiences, in addition to working to raise awareness of their rights to ensure a “dignified life” for them.

Dr. Ayman Ashour confirmed that the student activities that were implemented at universities varied between organizing educational seminars, training courses, workshops and lectures, recreational foreign visits, organizing exhibitions for small projects and handicrafts, competitions for student families, establishing community initiatives and participating in summit meeting competitions. In addition to participating in the activities of the Valley of Science and Technology, which included scientific competitions, scientific research and innovations, participation in innovation and artificial intelligence competitions at the level of Egyptian universities, exhibitions to display student innovations and creativity, workshops in digital transformation, computer education courses, and seminars on electronic crimes, Camps, festivals, artistic and musical competitions, plastic arts exhibitions, workshops on teaching various arts, and sports competitions were also organized. The integration activities that were implemented amounted to 1,029 events, with the participation of 138,534 male and female students.

Many events were held through the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation, where a sports meeting was held for people with disabilities, with the participation of 600 students from 35 universities. The Paralympic Championship for people with disabilities was also implemented, with the participation of 650 students from 35 universities, in addition to organizing the Martyr Rifai course with the participation of 52. University, and the event included 38 sports games (8 team games and 30 individual games).

The Leadership Development Institute hosted the activities of the “First and Second Training Program for Egyptian University Students” under the slogan “Creative with a Difference 1” and “Creative with a Difference 2.” The training program included providing lectures and workshops on (student activities, moderation of religious discourse, the power of art, and the preservation project). On the Egyptian family entity “Mawaddah”, a dialogue session with champion athletes, workshops on developing creative skills, and a visit to a number of national projects, and Egyptian champions with disabilities were honored with the “Berlin 2023 Olympics” delegation.

In the context of supporting students with disabilities, the Supreme Committee for Students with Disabilities was established, with the aim of creating an environment that helps create a model that recognizes differences, accommodates diversity, and works to overcome obstacles that prevent full participation.

The Supreme Council of Universities also agreed to accept students with hearing disabilities into Egyptian universities, and to work to provide them with all facilities, in line with the fourth goal of sustainable development.

The matter was not limited to organizing student events and activities only, as Egyptian public universities cooperated with the United States Agency for International Development (AMIDEAST) to establish centers to serve students with disabilities, and for this reason 5 university centers were established in 2018 at the universities of (Cairo, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Mansoura, Assiut), and in 2022, AMIDEAST, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, began establishing 15 additional centers in the universities of (Tanta, Zagazig, Helwan, Suez Canal, Beni Suef, South Valley, Fayoum, Sohag, Damanhour, Damietta, Suez, Sadat City, and Arish). , New Valley, Luxor), and these centers implemented several training programs and workshops, and approximately 7,612 students with disabilities benefited from the services of these centers, as well as providing 673 scholarships to talented youth from all over the Republic, including 44 students with disabilities. Disability.

Dr. Shereen Yahya, Advisor to the Minister for Student with Disabilities Affairs, indicated that the Ministry seeks to make all services available to persons with disabilities in all Egyptian universities and institutes, to complement the efforts of the Egyptian state towards achieving social justice, and implementing programs and policies related to the social integration of persons with disabilities.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, media advisor and official spokesman for the Ministry, stated that the implementation of many activities and events reflects the great interest that the Ministry and universities give to supporting students with disabilities and working to provide all facilities and services that help integrate with their colleagues, and work to provide them with diverse skills and experiences in various fields and providing training opportunities for them, and preparing the university infrastructure to be suitable for them.