Aswan University participated in the activities of the fourth edition of the “Egyptian Universities’ Inspiring Students” Forum for students with disabilities at Egyptian universities and institutes, held under the slogan “Creatives with differences”. The participation reflects the university’s commitment to supporting and empowering students with disabilities and enhancing their active involvement in various areas of university life and student activities.
Aswan University’s participation was held under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Abdel Aziz Mehalal Orabi, Acting President of the University, and Prof. Ashraf Imam Abdel Radi, Vice President for Community Service and Environment Development and Supervisor of the Education and Student Affairs Sector. The participation was supervised by Dr. Abdel Moneim Al-Gilani, Dean of the Institute of African and Nile Basin states Research and Studies, and Mr. Hatem Yousry, Director General of the General Administration for Student Welfare.
The university’s participation in the forum stems from its vision of the importance of building an inclusive university environment that ensures equal opportunities and enables students with disabilities to discover their abilities, develop their talents, and hone their skills. This contributes to preparing generations capable of making an active contribution to the development process and reflects the Egyptian state’s commitment to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities and promoting social inclusion.
Prof. Mohamed Abdel Aziz Mehalal Orabi, Acting President of Aswan University, emphasized that the university considers supporting and empowering students with disabilities one of its top priorities, based on its belief that a university is not merely a place for education, but rather a national institution that contributes to building individuals, enhancing their capabilities, and unleashing their potential.
Orabi added that Aswan University’s participation in the “Egyptian Universities’ Inspiring Students” Forum demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing an educational and humanitarian environment that welcomes all students without discrimination and gives students with disabilities a full opportunity to showcase their talents and transform challenges into success stories. He stressed that difference is not an obstacle to achievement; rather, it can serve as a starting point for creativity, excellence, and making a positive impact.
Prof. Ashraf Imam Abdel Razek, Vice President for Community Service and Environment Development and Supervisor of the Education and Student Affairs Sector, noted that the university is working to strengthen the concept of inclusion within the university community by supporting activities that help discover the talents of students with disabilities and develop their skills, while providing opportunities that enable them to participate actively in various events.
Imam explained that the forum represents an important platform for exchanging expertise and successful experiences among students from Egyptian universities and institutes. He emphasized that empowering students with disabilities goes beyond providing services; it also means giving them opportunities for participation, leadership, creativity, and self-affirmation, thereby strengthening their self-confidence and affirming their capacity to achieve.
For his part, Dr. Abdel Moneim Al-Gilani, Dean of the Institute of African and Nile Basin States Research and Studies, explained that the university’s participation in the forum reflects its belief that the true investment is investment in people, and that students with disabilities possess creative energies and abilities that deserve support, encouragement, and opportunities to flourish.
He added that the forum’s activities and meetings presented inspiring examples of individuals who were able to transform challenges into opportunities for success, underscoring the importance of bringing such experiences into the university environment and promoting a culture of acceptance of differences and respect for diversity. This contributes to building a more aware society capable of making the most of the potential of its members.
The forum, organized by the Student Activities Sector of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with the Leadership Preparation Institute, featured a wide range of activities, meetings, and workshops. These included the “Inspiring Experiences Theater,” which gave students the opportunity to learn about successful role models who overcame challenges and transformed them into stories of achievement and success.
The forum also addressed a number of important topics, including the National Strategy for Empowering Persons with Disabilities, the development of inclusive education systems, and enhancing accessibility within universities. It also featured a range of activities and workshops aimed at developing students’ skills, discovering their talents, and enhancing their capabilities.
The Aswan University delegation affirmed that participation in such events represents a genuine opportunity to strengthen communication among students from Egyptian universities and institutes, exchange expertise and experiences, and highlight outstanding students with disabilities. This supports the state’s efforts to promote inclusion and equal opportunities.
Aswan University continues its efforts to support its students with disabilities and to provide a more accessible and inclusive university environment that enables every student to make the most of their abilities and transform their talents into achievements, based on the belief that a successful university does not merely open its doors to its students—it also opens the doors to their future.
