President of New Mansoura University Participates in the Second India–Arab Universities Presidents’ Summit, Emphasizes Strategic Academic Partnerships

Professor Moawad Mohamed El-Khouly, President of New Mansoura University, took part in the Second India–Arab Universities Presidents’ Summit, hosted by Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates from February 11–12, 2026. The summit was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, under the theme: “Impact Beyond Borders: Research, Innovation, & Mobility.” The event brought together prominent higher education leaders from across the Arab world and the Republic of India.

The summit opened with an official ceremony that included the UAE national anthem and a presentation about Ajman University. Welcome remarks were delivered by Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, followed by opening addresses from Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, and Dr. Faraj Al-Ajmi, Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of the Education and Scientific Research Department at the League of Arab States. Speakers highlighted the importance of building strong and sustainable academic alliances between Arab and Indian universities, advancing collaboration in research and innovation, and promoting mobility for students and faculty members.

The first day featured a plenary session titled “Reimagining India–Arab Academic Partnerships,” which explored reshaping academic cooperation on deeper and more sustainable foundations—moving beyond traditional frameworks toward cross-border research and institutional alliances. Another interactive session, “Practical Steps Towards Impactful Partnerships,” focused on actionable mechanisms to transform academic agreements into effective programs with tangible impact in education, research, and innovation.

Professor El-Khouly participated in the “Presidential Roundtable I: From Vision to Action,” where university presidents discussed strategies for translating strategic visions into practical implementation plans and strengthening institutional integration between Arab and Indian universities. He also attended sessions on preparing future-ready graduates for the Arab–India knowledge economy, enhancing curricula and skills development, and expanding student and faculty mobility programs through mutual recognition and academic exchange.

On the second day, discussions continued with a session on “Research Collaboration for Sustainable Development,” which examined aligning joint research efforts with sustainable development priorities and regional socio-economic challenges. This was followed by “Bridging Two Knowledge Civilizations: From AI to Quantum and Beyond,” highlighting prospects for cooperation in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and quantum computing, while fostering intellectual bridges between the two regions. The day also included scheduled bilateral meetings to activate partnerships and explore new memoranda of understanding.

The summit concluded with the session “Accelerating Joint Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems,” in which Professor El-Khouly participated as a speaker. The session addressed strategies to advance shared innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, strengthen university–industry linkages, and translate research outputs into sustainable economic value. In his remarks, he stressed that the current phase requires partnerships grounded in implementation and measurable impact, emphasizing the shift from symbolic cooperation to genuine integration through joint programs and applied research projects.

The closing session presented key recommendations underscoring the need to deepen research collaboration, broaden academic mobility, and support joint innovation ecosystems—reinforcing the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development and building a cross-border knowledge economy.

During the summit’s second day, Professor El-Khouly signed a cooperation protocol with St. Aloysius University (SAU) in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. The agreement aims to promote joint research, facilitate student and faculty exchange, and launch applied academic initiatives in innovation and technology.

New Mansoura University’s participation in this high-level summit reflects its growing international presence and commitment to expanding its strategic partnerships, further positioning the university as a forward-looking institution actively contributing to regional and global innovation ecosystems.