The activities of the 20th Annual Conference of the Adult Education Center at Ain Shams University, titled "Cybersecurity and Adult Education in the Arab World," were launched. The conference is held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Prof. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of the University, and under the presidency of Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development, and President of the Conference, along with Dr. Islam El-Sayed, Director of the Center and Conference Rapporteur.

In her speech during the opening session, Prof. Ghada Farouk welcomed the attendees, praising the significance of the topics addressed by the conference and their role in tackling current challenges.

She emphasized the necessity of raising awareness about the importance of data security, noting that this is no longer just an issue of privacy, but has become closely linked to national security. She stressed the need to take effective steps to enhance societal awareness of the importance of data protection, as safeguarding information security has become one of the fundamental pillars for ensuring the stability of societies and protecting them from various threats.

She added that the digital revolution has had an impact on educational institutions in general, and adult education institutions in particular. The field of adult education has been influenced by the changes associated with this revolution, and terms related to the use of technology in adult education, as well as digital literacy and cybersecurity, have emerged. She highlighted the importance of the conference in envisioning the future of adult education in the Arab world in light of cybersecurity requirements, and in proposing trends, plans, and programs that ensure linking adult education with the demands of the digital age and sustainable development.

In the speech of Eng. Walid Zakaria, Head of the National Center for Emergency Preparedness of Computers and Networks, representing the Minister of Communications, he confirmed that by the end of 2024, the losses resulting from cyberattacks worldwide amounted to 902 trillion US dollars, and it is expected to reach 13.82 trillion by 2028, according to the German company Statista, which specializes in market and consumer data. This emphasizes the need for us to exert every possible effort to protect critical infrastructure in our society and safeguard ourselves from cyber risks and electronic threats.

He added that Egypt is on the right path toward a comprehensive digital transformation in services and transactions, as well as the overall development of government performance through projects aimed at enhancing digital information infrastructure. This is the result of continuous and extensive work over the years by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in general, and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority in particular, which has paved the way for Egypt to become one of the top 12 countries in the world, according to the Global Cybersecurity Index issued by the International Telecommunication Union just a few months ago.

Egypt also achieved 100 out of 100 points, placing it in the top tier of countries in the Global Cybersecurity Index. These are governments considered models for information protection, reflecting Egypt's international leadership and the success of its cybersecurity experience.

Prof. Eid Abdel Wahid, Chairman of the Executive Authority of the General Authority for Adult Education, also confirmed that adult education is no longer limited to learning to read and write as it was in the past. This view has become outdated in light of the technological advancements the world is witnessing.

He pointed to the need to rethink adult education and learning through specific axes, the most important of which are awareness and education for their effective role in achieving sustainable development. He also emphasized the need to redefine illiteracy, as it is no longer limited to alphabetic illiteracy alone, but also includes functional illiteracy and other aspects of life. Additionally, it is necessary to reconsider adult education curricula, taking into account diversity, reliance on modern technology, and establishing clear procedures for qualifying trainers with specialized skills suited to adult education.

He further added that we must think about Arab and international partnerships to support adult education programs, establish a common Arab definition for this field, and create a unified Arab plan to empower adult education trainers.

In his speech, Dr. Islam El-Sayed, Director of the Adult Education Center, clarified that the focus of the organizers of the 20th Annual Conference of the Adult Education Center at Ain Shams University was in line with what was emphasized by international adult education conferences, the most recent being the Marrakech Conference. This includes the importance of the digital dimension in achieving quality adult education and learning, and the necessity of leveraging digital culture and social media networks as a transformative shift in the field of adult education. This shift helps adults acquire new life skills needed in the digital age to build a sustainable future.

He added that the conference presents the insights of experts and researchers from various Arab countries on the best practices in cybersecurity and adult education programs in the Arab world. This highlights the need for new roles for adult education institutions in the Arab world, emphasizing the importance of sustainable professional development for adult educators in light of cybersecurity requirements. The conference will feature eight scientific sessions spread over three days, including fifty research papers and working papers from a distinguished group of professors and researchers from fifteen Arab and African countries, as well as twenty-five universities, ministries, and research centers from Egypt and the Arab world. Additionally, a roundtable discussion on the Marrakech Framework in the context of digitization will be held by the Arab House for Adult Education and Development "AHD," along with a workshop on protecting scientific research in the digital age, led by Dr. Hany Shaker, Director of the Digital Library at Ain Shams University.

At the end of his speech, he expressed his gratitude to all the partners of success and the organizers of the conference, looking forward to developing future visions and new roles for adult education institutions in the Arab world in light of the basic principles of cybersecurity.

The opening session of the conference was attended by Major General Mohamed El-Ghabari, former Director of the National Defense College and Military Advisor to Nasser Academy, Mrs. Elsy Wakil, General Secretary of the Arab House for Adult Education and Development "AHAED," Prof. Safaa Shehata, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education at Ain Shams University, and a number of faculty staff from the university, as well as experts and specialists in adult education and cybersecurity.