Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, represented Ain Shams University in the Second Regional Conference of Francophone University Presidents hosted by the University of Sharjah under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University. Her Excellency gave a presentation on the distinguished role of Ain Shams University in supporting scientific Francophonie through a presentation of the most important joint research activities and dual degrees with the French side within the framework of the political support of the state and the strategic direction of the Ministry of Higher Education. She also presented Ain Shams University’s plans in this regard.

It is worth noting that the Director of the University of Sharjah, Prof. Hamed Al Nuaimi, opened the conference by welcoming the participants and emphasizing the importance of university cooperation to address the challenges of higher education in the region.

Jean-Noel Ballieu, Regional Director for the Middle East at the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, also spoke about the pressures exerted by university rankings and highlighted the main challenges facing universities in the region.

The President of the Francophone University Presidents' Forum, Prof. Salim Khalbous, presented the institutional news and major strategic projects of the University Agency of La Francophonie, highlighting the continuous growth of the first global network of universities. He also reviewed the proposed lines for developing the new strategy 2025-2029.

The conference’s dialogue sessions addressed a number of challenges and issues such as employment, linking scientific research to community service, professional integration, and integrating skills into university curricula.

The dialogue sessions and discussions continued over two days, with strategic debates on the future of higher education in the region.