The first session of the Board of Trustees of Sadat City University was held at the invitation of Dr. Abdulaziz Qanswa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in the presence of Dr. Maher Mesbah, Secretary of the Council of Private Universities, with its new formation, which includes Major General Amr Al-Gharib, Governor of Menoufia, Dr. Nasser Abdel Bari, President of Sadat City University and Acting President of the National University, along with an elite group of academic and public figures, and representatives of the industry and civil society sectors.
The session witnessed the presence of the members of the Board of Trustees, namely: Major General Dr. Khaled Fouda, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Local Development, Ambassador Mohamed Al-Orabi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Counselor Adly Hussein, former Governor of Qalyubia, Dr. Nasser Abdel Bari, President of Sadat City University and Acting President of Sadat City University, Dr. Salah Al-Bilal, former President of Sadat City University, Dr. Hamdi Amara, former Vice President of Sadat City University, and Dr. Essam El-Din Metwally, Vice President of Sadat City University. Former Sadat, Dr. Hossam El-Din Mohamed, a full-time professor at the Faculty of Law, Sadat City University, Dr. Raja Hussein, a full-time professor at the Faculty of Law, Sadat City University, Dr. Hamdi El-Sisi, a full-time professor at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sadat City University, and Dr. Abdullah Issa Al-Sharif, Director of the General Secretariat of the Egyptian Petrochemical Holding Company at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister stressed that the establishment of private universities reflects the vision of the political leadership towards providing modern university education based on quality and competitiveness, and contributes to the preparation of scientifically and practically qualified human cadres, capable of supporting comprehensive development plans, noting that these universities represent an essential pillar for enhancing diversity in the higher education system, and providing specific specializations that keep pace with the requirements of the knowledge-based economy.
The minister pointed out that since the launch of the experience of private universities during the era of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and after him Dr. Ayman Ashour, the former Minister of Higher Education, private universities have become a major tributary and supporter of public universities, which contributed to maintaining the quality of the educational process, as well as diversifying funding sources, which reflected positively on improving the conditions of faculty members and workers.
The minister added that the relationship between public and private universities is a relationship of integration within one educational and research system, which contributes to achieving better educational quality and providing a stimulating academic climate for faculty members.
The Minister explained that the state attaches great importance to linking the education system with scientific research, given that scientific research represents a fundamental pillar of the knowledge economy, as publishing scientific research in international periodicals reflects community service and support for development plans, which confirms the pivotal role played by universities and research centers in achieving economic growth and building a knowledge society.
The minister added that the current stage is witnessing an increasing interest in developing the academic and administrative performance of private universities, to ensure the sustainability of their excellence, stressing the importance of the role played by the boards of trustees in formulating the university’s general policies, supporting its strategic directions, and strengthening its connection with its industrial and societal surroundings.
The Minister also stressed the importance of expanding applied and technological programs, and linking the educational process to practical reality, which contributes to graduating students who possess the necessary skills for innovation and are able to compete in various fields of work.
For his part, Major General A. Dr. Khaled Fouda, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Local Development, expressed his pride in participating in the procedural session of the Board of Trustees of Sadat City National University, stressing that private universities represent one of the important axes for developing the higher education system in Egypt, by providing modern educational programs that keep pace with the requirements of development and the labor market.
The Advisor to the President of the Republic for Local Development pointed out the importance of the role played by private universities in supporting the state’s efforts to build the Egyptian human being, qualifying cadres capable of creativity and innovation, and contributing effectively to the implementation of comprehensive development plans, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between universities and various state institutions and productive sectors, in a way that supports linking education outcomes to the needs of society, stressing his keenness to support all efforts aimed at improving the educational and research system, and enhancing the role of universities as centers for knowledge production and community service, in line with the state’s directions towards building a science-based economy. And knowledge.
For his part, Ambassador Mohamed Al-Orabi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that his participation in the Board of Trustees of Sadat City National University comes within the framework of keenness to send a positive message to Egyptian youth based on optimism and confidence in the future, especially in light of the economic challenges and current global conditions, stressing that education represents the basic foundation for building the future.
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Orabi indicated that his relationship with the higher education system goes back a long time, stressing his pride in belonging to this vital sector, and considering his presence as a member of the Board of Trustees a great honor and an opportunity to serve the nation, looking forward to contributing effectively to supporting the university’s progress and enhancing its role.
In the same context, Counselor Adly Hussein, former governor of Qalyubia, expressed his pride in joining the Board of Trustees of Sadat City National University, stressing that Sadat City represents special value to him as one of the development and educational castles in Menoufia Governorate.
Counselor Adly Hussein explained that educational institutions represent the true basis for reconstruction and development, stressing his belief in the principle of “education and reconstruction” as two basic pillars for building the modern state, and expressing his aspiration to be an active and hosting element that contributes to supporting the efforts of the Board of Trustees and enhancing the role of the university.
For his part, Dr. Nasser Abdel Bari, President of Sadat City University and Acting President of Sadat City National University, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the political leadership for the confidence in assigning him to head the university, stressing his keenness to complete the development process and achieve the state’s vision of improving the higher education system.
He explained that Sadat City University began as a branch of Menoufia University, until the decision was issued to establish it as an independent university, and in 2025 the decision was issued to establish Sadat City National University, which bears the name of the late leader Mohamed Anwar Sadat, in commemoration of his national contributions.
The President of Sadat City University also gave a presentation in which he reviewed the components of the university, explaining that it enjoys a distinguished strategic location in Sadat City, which is linked to a network of roads and major axes, and extends over an area of about 8,920 square meters.
He added that the university includes 7 colleges, including: pharmacy, veterinary medicine, science, computers and artificial intelligence, business, sports sciences, tourism and hotels, and offers modern academic programs that meet the needs of the labor market.
He also confirmed that Sadat City includes more than 3,000 factories and provides about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, and includes the largest specialized industrial complexes in the Middle East in the fields of iron, petrochemicals, textiles, and food industries, which provides broad opportunities for cooperation between the university and these entities to support practical training, scientific research, and community service. It has also been classified by the World Health Organization among the top 10 industrial communities in the Middle East for the cleanliness of its environment and the safety of its resources.
He explained that the university has about 1,700 students during its first year, distributed among the seven colleges, which reflects the growing demand and confidence in its academic programs. The university also provides a range of different student activities: trips, seminars, cultural activities, and sports activities.
During the procedural session, Major General A.H. Dr. Khaled Fouda was chosen as Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Hamdi Amara was chosen as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, unanimously by attendees.
