Under the auspices of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, the Graduate Studies and Research Council held its October 2024 session, chaired by Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Acting Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research Affairs, with the attendance of the graduate studies representatives from the university’s faculties and council members.

At the beginning of the session, Prof. Ghada Farouk and Prof. Hayam Wahba, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business and Head of the Standing Committee for Graduate Studies, congratulated Prof. Dalia El-Qurashy, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry for Graduate Studies, on joining the permanent committee.

Prof. Shahira Samir reviewed several agreements and memoranda of understanding presented by the Agreements Committee, including a memorandum of understanding between the Faculty of Al-Alsun at the university and the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, as well as agreements between the Faculty of Medicine and Benghazi University, and between the Faculty of Engineering and Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University in Russia.

Additionally, a joint memorandum of understanding was discussed between the university and the University of Oceans and Seas in Shanghai, and another between the Faculty of Al-Alsun and the Korean Cultural Center.

A proposal to standardize fees for similar services across both the Education and Student Affairs and Graduate Studies sectors, such as graduation certificates and their categories, was also discussed, submitted by the Faculty of Archaeology.

Prof. Ghada Farouk praised the teamwork and fruitful cooperation among faculties within the sector, highlighting the importance of faculties working together for optimal outcomes rather than as isolated, independent entities.

In line with the council’s follow-up on scientific research plans and showcasing best practices across the university’s faculties, Prof. Hayam Wahba, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business, reviewed the efforts and outcomes of the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research sector at the Faculty of Business, which included international rankings, research plan, development and best practices, partnerships, faculty accreditation, graduate studies, and research efforts.

The proposed implementation plan for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Strategy in Science, Technology, and Innovation for technology production and localization was also presented.

Prof. Islam Hegazy, Executive Director of Networks Centre at the university, presented a report on achievements during September, showing statistics that reflect increased faculty staff registrations on the network system, the growth of added theses, and the number of trained staff. A proposal was also presented to contract with a company to convert archival microfilm to modern digital films as part of the university's electronic archiving project.

Prof. Rasha Ismail detailed the training program for website development, including updates to various site pages, such as the addition of an "Avatar" that provides sign language for students with special needs on the Student Disability Service Center page.

Prof. Sherweit El Ahmady, Director of the International Students Department, explained the difference in the percentages of international students in the sector and ways to increase their numbers.

Prof. Mariam Farid Ayad from the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center congratulated the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Arts, Commerce, and Specific Education for renewing their institutional accreditation, with some faculties receiving conditional institutional accreditation.

At the end of the session, Prof. Dina Lashin, Director of the Central Unit for Graduate Program Development, presented a performance report on the unit's activities.