- Dr. El-Minshawy: Assiut University seeks to instill the spirit of innovation and scientific thinking in children from a young age"

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, opened today, Wednesday, July 9, the activities of the combined stage (sixth and eighth) of the "children's university" events, organized by the University in cooperation with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology under the supervision of Dr. Gina al-Feki, president of the Academy.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that the children's university project is one of the most successful educational initiatives at the level of the Republic, as it is implemented in more than 45 universities and research centers, and aims to discover talented children and develop their scientific and creative skills from a young age, praising the pivotal role of the project in simplifying Science for children and instilling a spirit of innovation and a love of exploration.

The president of the University explained that the project strengthens the Egyptian state's orientations towards preparing a new generation of thinkers and innovators, through various scientific activities including Natural Sciences, Engineering, Environment and climate, medicine and health, agriculture and food, mathematics, programming and Information Technology, and humanities, thus contributing to building generations capable of critical thinking, problem solving, and active participation in community development.

Dr. El- Minshawy added that Assiut University is keen to harness its academic and scientific potential to support the project and provide a rich educational experience for children, allowing them to learn, experiment and innovate within a stimulating and safe university environment, believing in the importance of investing in young people and qualifying them to be future leaders.

The children's University is one of the important projects aimed at developing intellectual creativity among children through participation in various activities within the University's faculties under the supervision of: Dr. Jamal Badr, vice president for graduate studies and research, Dr. Rana al-Rifai, executive director of the children's University at the academy, and Dr. Yara Ibrahim Mohammed, coordinator of the children's University at Assiut University and dean of the Faculty of early childhood education.

For his side, Dr. Jamal Badr stressed the importance of the project, praising its role in raising children on the principles and standards of scientific research, and developing their mental and cognitive skills, pointing out that the project contributes to promoting critical thinking, problem solving, and generating creative ideas, in line with the state's orientation towards transforming scientific research from the theoretical to the Applied side, and building a society based on knowledge and innovation.

Dr. Yara Ibrahim explained that the current stage targets 175 children between the ages of 9 and 14, divided into two groups; the sixth group includes 110 children, and the Eighth group consists of 65 children. She added that the project is being implemented within multiple faculties at Assiut University, including the faculties of Science, Pharmacy, Engineering, Computer and Information, Fine Arts, and early childhood education, under the supervision of a group of specialized professors.

Dr. Yara Ibrahim pointed out that the children's University is implemented according to a protocol of cooperation with the Academy of scientific research and technology, and includes the preparation of children at four age levels (E1, E2, F1, F2), ten days for each level, and addresses various scientific fields that cover children's cognitive needs and help them develop their skills at an early age.

She stressed that the children's university project is an integrated model for the implementation of the strategy of the Ministry of higher education and scientific research, which aims to provide a supportive and stimulating educational environment for children, and enable them to creativity and excellence, thanking the university administration and the Academy for their continuous support for the project.

At the end of the events, Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy honored Dr. Magda Hashem, former dean of the Faculty of Early Childhood Education and founder of the children's university project at Assiut University, in recognition of her pioneering role in establishing the project and caring for talented children since its inception.

  The meeting was attended by Dr. Manal Anwar, vice dean of the college for graduate studies and research, Dr. Magda Hashem, former dean of the College of early childhood education and former founder of the children's University, and Dr. Ayat Farouk, deputy coordinator of the children's University at Assiut University, with the participation of several deans of colleges, vice deans of the College of early childhood education, faculty members, participating children and parents.