Inauguration of the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) of UNESCO

Under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of Ain Shams University, and within the framework of the partnership agreement concluded between the International Center for Innovation in Higher Education under the auspices of UNESCO and Ain Shams University, which was signed in November 2021, Ain Shams University hosted via video conference the opening activities of the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute of Online Education of UNESCO website, in the presence of a group of university leaders, a large number of researchers, faculty staff and representatives of Online-learning in various Egyptian universities.

Participate in the meeting:

- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Latif, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities.

- Prof. Dr. Hesham Farouk, Assistant Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Digital Transformation.

- Prof. Li Ming is Director of the International Center for Innovation in Higher Education under the auspices of UNESCO.

- Mr. QIN Changwe, Secretary-General of the National Committee of the People's Republic of China at the UNESCO Office.

- Mrs. Mary Anne Therese Manuson, Education Programs Specialist, UNESCO Regional Office for Science in the Arab Countries.

- Ms. Xiaohan BI, Associate Director and Head of the Office of the Africa and West Asia Programme, UNESCO.

- Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Saoud, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Student Affairs.

- Prof. Dr. Mona Abdel-Aal Al-Zahry, Executive Director of the Education Development Department at Ain Shams University.

- Prof. Dr. Ashraf El-Ghandour, Vice President of Alexandria University for Graduate Studies and Research.

- Prof. Dr. Gamal Abdel Rahim Mohamed Sousse, President of Benha University.

- Prof. Dr. Nancy Youssef Al-Assad, Vice President of Menoufia University for Education and Student Affairs.

- Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Sayed El-Shennawy, Acting President of Galala University.

The meeting began with the Republican Peace of the Arab Republic of Egypt, followed by a speech of welcome to the attendees and participating parties from Prof. Dr. Mona Abdel-Aal Al-Zahry, Executive Director of the Education Development Department at Ain Shams University.

During his speech, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of Ain Shams University, the pioneering role of Ain Shams University in the field of digital transformation and sustainable development, and the aspirations of Ain Shams University towards achieving an effective partnership with the International Institute for Online EducationIIOE of UNESCO with the aim of exchanging experiences and building the capacity of faculty members in the field of e-learning, as well as A. explained. Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini said that the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) is a quantum leap in the development of the Online -learning system in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and will contribute effectively to supporting Egyptian higher education institutions and helping them develop e-learning strategies in accordance with international standards.

Whereas, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Latif, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities, delivered a speech in which he explained the keenness of the Supreme Council of Universities to develop the teaching and learning system in Egyptian universities, while directing all the capabilities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research towards achieving this goal, stressing the keenness of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities to provide full support to the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE)

Prof. Dr. Hesham Farouk, Assistant Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Digital Transformation, emphasized the state’s interest in achieving the Arab Republic of Egypt 2030 strategy in the field of digital transformation through the development of higher learning institutions in technology and building international partnerships with the relevant authorities, the most important of which is UNESCO with the aim of improving the learning system and following the latest international strategies in the field of Online-learning.

During the presentation by Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Saoud, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Student Affairs, explained the most important competitive features of Ain Shams University and the advanced positions it has achieved in international rankings, especially in the field of education and learning and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also explained the importance of the Egyptian National Center for the International Learning Institute. Remotely in the professional development of faculty staff, which will positively reflect on teaching and blended learning and achieve digital transformation of higher education institutions.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Mona Abdel-Al Al-Zahry, Executive Director of the Education Development Department at Ain Shams University reviewed the goals of the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute for Online Education, and the privileges that higher education institutions will enjoy by joining the International Institute for Online Education network and the procedures to be followed to join the Institute’s network with Clarify the obligations that must be taken into account when joining.

The meeting was moderated by Dr. Dalia Youssef, Director of the Central Unit for E-Learning at Ain Shams University, which concluded the meeting by giving the floor to representatives of Egyptian universities that joined the International Institute for Online Education network to present an overview of their university and the goals they aspire to by joining the Institute's network.

It is worth noting that the number of universities that have joined the International Institute for Online Education network so far, in addition to Ain Shams University, which heads the Egyptian National Center for the International Institute for Online Educationand is located within the Department of Education Development on the campus of Ain Shams University in Cairo, has reached five universities: Alexandria University Benha University, Menoufia University, Galala University, Beni Suef University.

The Egyptian National Center for the International Institute of Online Education(IIOE) is considered a center to support innovation in higher education and digital transformation in the Arab Republic of Egypt, by striving towards achieving the following goals:

1. Activating the role of Ain Shams University in leading and localizing the International Institute of Online Education IIOE of UNESCO to benefit from its networks and resources in order to enhance the ability of more Egyptian higher education institutions to teach and blend learning with high quality and achieve digital transformation of higher education institutions.

2. Building an Egyptian national network of higher education institutions that join the International Institute of Online Education(IIOE) and consider them as members.

3. Building a national platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences for the professional development of faculty members and workers in higher education institutions through participation in discussions, workshops and trainings organized by the Institute.

4. Preparing a set of training programs and courses in partnership with the International Institute of Online Education, provided that these courses are designed specifically according to the Egyptian needs and in accordance with the national quality standards and the technical standards of the International Institute of Online Education related to online training courses.

5. Conducting joint research in the field of educational technology and digital transformation of higher education.