Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, received Mr. Eric Chevalier, Ambassador of France to Cairo, and his accompanying delegation, within the framework of joint cooperation between the two sides.

Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, stressed the importance of close and fruitful cooperation relations between Egypt and France, especially in the fields of higher education and scientific research, pointing to the distinguished results achieved as a result of many initiatives, programs, grants and joint projects between the two parties, noting Ain Shams University's keenness to push this cooperation to further progress.

The President of Ain Shams University discussed with the French Ambassador the mechanisms for maximizing the benefit from the expertise of both parties in implementing the principles of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research within the framework of promoting mutual goals.

During the meeting, the French Ambassador expressed his thanks and gratitude to Ain Shams University for its pioneering role in the field of higher education and scientific research, appreciating its academic role and the prestigious international reputation it enjoys, ranked internationally among the largest universities in the world.

He also expressed his aspiration to enhance areas of academic cooperation between French universities and their Egyptian counterparts, proposing to increase the number of specializations included in these partnerships.

This was followed by a visit by the French Ambassador to the Faculty of Law, where he was received by Prof. Mohamed Safi, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Mohamed Shafei, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, Prof. Yassin El Shazly, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Prof. Ahmed Dehoum, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, and Prof. Nora Issa, Director of the French Department at the Faculty. The Dean of the Faculty welcomed the visit of the French Ambassador to follow up on the French program, which is being implemented in cooperation between the Faculty of Law, Ain Shams University, and the Faculty of Law, Jean Moulin University, Lyon 3, since 2001, noting that the Faculty of Law was the first to conclude an agreement to grant a dual degree with the University of Lyon 3 since 2001.

During the meeting, Ambassador Eric Chevalier touched on the signing of the largest framework agreement for international partnership between Egyptian and French universities in the two countries, which was signed in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities; to grant dual degrees in 15 scientific specializations, which was signed last July, where it was agreed to grant dual degrees in 15 scientific specializations.. and 100 scholarships for doctoral degrees, as well as launching a number of initiatives to enhance Egyptian-French academic and research cooperation, and implementing joint student exchange programs, in addition to directing new study programs to serve sustainable development within the framework of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development", as well as taking into account the needs of the Egyptian labor market, and enhancing teaching in French in Egypt.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law and the French Ambassador to Cairo held a friendly meeting with the students of the French Department at the Faculty, where they discussed their dreams and ambitions, which can be achieved through joint cooperation between Ain Shams University and Lyon 3 University. They also discussed his life as a diplomat, the events he faced, and how he overcame them by not surrendering and facing fears. This is what he advised the students to do. He also stressed the need to build bridges between cultures and societies, pointing out that many companies that expand internationally need people who understand different cultures and have different cultural backgrounds. The Faculty’s shield was presented to His Excellency the French Ambassador in appreciation of his efforts.

After that, the French Ambassador and his accompanying delegation visited the Faculty of Business, where they were received by Prof. Khaled Kadry, Dean of the Faculty, in the presence of Prof. Hiam Wahba, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Graduate Studies and Research, Prof. Farid Moharam, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Students Affairs, Dr. Iman Abdel Salam, Director of the French Department, and a group of faculty staff and students from the French Department at the Faculty.

Prof. Khaled Kadry, Dean of the Faculty of Business, emphasized the depth of the relations, as cooperation took place between Ain Shams University and the University of Poitiers in France under the partnership agreement between the Faculty of Business – at Ain Shams University and the Institute of Business Administration - University of Poitiers in France in April 2000, where it began accepting students in the French language study program at the Faculty of Business with the courses equally distributed between the English language taught by the faculty professors and the French language taught by professors delegated from the University of Poitiers.

The French Ambassador stressed his happiness to be at the Faculty of Business at Ain Shams University and his desire to contribute to strengthening relations by contributing to activating international partnerships, especially at the doctoral level, and contributing to resolving any obstacles related to developing relations. He stressed his happiness through the interviews that took place with the students with the level of their professional and intellectual progress, appreciating the role played by the administration of the faculty and the university.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Shahira Samir, Executive Director of the International Relations and Academic Collaboration Sector, Prof. Sherweit El-Ahmady, Director of International Students and Mobility Office at the University.