Signing two cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Ain Shams and Mansoura Universities

Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, witnessed the signing ceremony of two cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Ain Shams and Mansoura Universities, via video conference technology, in the presence of Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of Ain Shams University, and Dr. Ashraf Abdel Basset, President of Mansoura University; With the aim of cooperating in the implementation of applied research projects to develop innovative solutions in various fields using the latest communication and information technology technologies.

The two agreements aim to enhance technical cooperation, harness all possibilities and exchange experiences between the Applied Innovation Center of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Ain Shams and Mansoura Universities; With the aim of applying the latest technologies to develop innovative solutions to solve important practical issues in vital fields, to start implementing a joint applied research project to serve diabetic patients by building an integrated system for early detection of diabetic retinopathy using digital mechanisms and advanced artificial intelligence techniques in taking pictures of the bottom eye and its analysis.

In his speech, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stressed the importance of these agreements in the implementation of joint projects using the latest international technologies in finding solutions to the challenges facing Egyptian society, especially in the field of health care, praising the fruitful and constructive cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in various fields, especially digital transformation and modern technological technologies, adding that they look forward to more of these agreements that contribute to supporting the sustainable development plan and Egypt's Vision 2030, as well as those that contribute to supporting the health sector and university hospitals.

On his part, Dr. Amr Talaat stated that the cooperation between the Applied Innovation Center established by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the two universities to employ artificial intelligence technology in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy is an extension of the constructive cooperation between the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Higher Education and Scientific Research by adding a new axis in joint cooperation projects, which is in the field of Health care, which is important in its positive impact on a large segment of citizens, explaining that the Applied Innovation Center has developed a technological solution for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy using artificial intelligence technology for more than a year, pointing to the importance of cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and hospitals. University to start a trial run to make the system more accurate, and roll it out to the rest of the country.

Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini praised the permanent cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, especially at the level of infrastructure and mechanization of university hospitals, noting that this agreement is the culmination of the partnership that brings together the two parties, adding that this cooperation will extend to other fields such as the medical field and others, inviting the participants to attend the opening activities The headquarters of the Innovation and Creativity Center will be on October 30, in its new image, as an edifice comparable to the largest innovation centers in the world, with the support of the Central Bank of Egypt.

On his part, Dr. Ashraf Abdel Basset that this agreement is a model for cooperation between the Artificial Intelligence Center at Mansoura University and the Ministry of Communications; With the aim of implementing applied research projects using the latest digital technologies to provide innovative solutions that help patients with treatment, noting that this project is one of the fourth generation applications in Egyptian universities and the applications of the industrial revolution, which use data analysis to reach innovative solutions, adding that the university has established a center of artificial intelligence excellence last year 2020, in line with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy launched by the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Higher Education.

Dr. Ahmed Tantawi, supervisor of the Applied Innovation Center of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, explained that the center constitutes a link between scientific research and practical implementation for the benefit of the citizen and the state, pointing out that the center has established partnerships with major universities and academic and research institutions to implement projects that use the latest global technologies in creating Solutions to the challenges facing Egyptian society.

The two cooperation agreements on the part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology were signed by Eng. Raafat Hindi, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Infrastructure Affairs, on behalf of Ain Shams University, Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of the University, and on behalf of Mansoura University, Dr. Ashraf Abdel Basset, President of the University.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Hisham Farouk, Assistant Minister for Digital Transformation, from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Iman Ashour, President of the National Telecommunication Institute, Dr. Hossam Othman, Advisor to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Technological Innovation, Electronics Industry and Training, Dr. Noha Adly, Advisor to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Research and Development, and from Ain Shams University: Dr. Omar Al-Husseini, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Osama Mansour, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Graduate Studies and Research Affairs, Dr. Diaa Abdel Majid, General Supervisor of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the university, Dr. Mohammed Al-Behairi, Director of the Center, Dr. Raaf Malak Boutros, Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Faculty of Medicine.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has established the Applied Innovation Center with the aim of developing the application of modern technologies, including but not limited to: artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, blockchain, Internet of things, big data analysis, robotics, and fifth generation networks, and others, where these advanced technologies are used to devise solutions to the challenges facing society, and the center also aims to develop human capital through the participation of young people in projects to implement these solutions while creating the appropriate climate for the growth of innovative start-ups.

The Center cooperated with Alexandria University in implementing an applied research project that resulted in launching a campaign for early detection of diabetic retinopathy using artificial intelligence technology in Alexandria Governorate, this is as a first step in preparation for increasing its capabilities in cooperation with other reputable research bodies.