Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, stated on the occasion of World No Smoking Day, May 31, 2025, that this day is an important opportunity to reflect on the extent of health, environmental, social, and economic risks resulting from tobacco use, which threaten the lives of millions of people annually, pointing out that confronting this phenomenon requires real solidarity from individuals and institutions. Each party assumes its responsibility for reducing its devastating effects.

Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that Assiut University, with its leadership, professors, and students, strongly supports national and global efforts to combat smoking in all its forms, and is keen to adopt preventive health policies that protect individuals, especially the youth, who represent the mainstay of the future and the nation's hope for progress and construction.

The university president added that awareness and Prevention are key pillars of Assiut University's strategy. The university works to create a smoke-free, safe, and healthy university environment that enhances the quality of university life and provides a supportive educational environment for the health and safety of students and employees alike.

Dr. El-Minshawy also stressed the need to address the misleading marketing methods used by tobacco companies, especially those targeting the youth, pointing out the importance of supporting everyone who wants to quit smoking through education, psychological and medical support, and working to spread a culture of awareness of the dangers of this habit.

Dr. Ahmed El – Minshawy, president of Assiut University, congratulated Dr. Hassan Qutb Abdul Rahman, a teacher at the accounting department of the College of Commerce, on winning the Sharjah Prize in public finance-the third session (2024-2025), for the category "distinguished Arab financial researcher", organized by the Arab Organization for administrative development of the league of Arab states, in cooperation with the Central Department of Finance in the emirate of Sharjah.

The president of the University praised the outstanding scientific and research contributions made by Dr. Hassan Qutb in the field of Public Finance, stressing that this honorable achievement is a new addition to Assiut University's rich record of excellence at the Arab and international levels, and reflects the University's promising academic and research potential.

Dr. El-Minshawy pointed out that this victory represents the culmination of the University's efforts in supporting scientific research and encouraging its researchers to actively participate in various scientific forums, believing in their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and enhancing the University's position in regional and global rankings.

  Dr. Jamal Badr, vice president for graduate studies and Research Affairs, expressed the University's pride in this achievement, which reflects the extent of its commitment to supporting the applied scientific research system, encouraging researchers to adopt distinguished projects that contribute to the development of scientific knowledge, expanding the circle of international publishing, and raising the University's rating among academic institutions.

Dr. Alaa Abdul Hafeez, dean of the Faculty of Commerce, stressed that Dr. Hassan Qutb's victory represents an honorable scientific achievement that reflects the college's excellence in the fields of scientific research, and confirms its ability to prepare academic cadres capable of competing in Arab and international scientific forums, pointing out that this coronation is a strong motivation to continue supporting researchers and encouraging innovation and academic excellence.

Dr. Al Hassan Qutb was honored during a major ceremony held on Monday, May 26, at the palace of culture in the emirate of Sharjah, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and in the presence of a constellation of prominent figures from various Arab countries. The award was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Central Finance Department in Sharjah, and Dr. Nasser Al Qahtani, director general of the Arab Organization for administrative development, and received a certificate of Honor.

The Sharjah Public Finance award is one of the most prominent Arab awards specialized in financial management, as it seeks to enhance the efficiency of public resources management, and honor outstanding competencies in this field at the level of individuals and institutions, in order to serve the goals of sustainable development and financial and administrative reform efforts in the Arab world.

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, stressed the University's keenness on the continuous development of campus facilities, and upgrading the aesthetic appearance of the university environment, reflecting the civilized face of the University, pointing to the importance of taking care of periodic maintenance and expansion in the creation of green spaces, to enhance public health, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, Dr. Ahmed Abdulmoula, vice president of the University for education and student affairs, conducted a field tour to inspect the ongoing development and beautification works on the students ' university city street, which aims to improve the university environment and increase the green area, which contributes to creating a more comfortable and attractive educational environment.

Dr. Abdulmoula explained that the tour included following up efforts to remove dead and damaged trees, preparing new basins to plant alternative trees, as well as opening a dedicated door for motorcycles to enter away from the pedestrian gate, in order to reduce crowding and ensure the safety of students.

He pointed out the importance of promoting awareness among university students and its affiliates about the culture of afforestation and the preservation of Environmental Resources, calling for the need for active participation in preserving the university environment, in order to enhance the quality of life on campus and keep pace with global trends towards environmentally friendly universities.

The vice president of the university was accompanied during the tour by Mr. Mahmoud Antar, director general of the university cities, Mr. Emad Mohammed Sayed, director of the University City (students), Mr. Alaa Amin, director of student welfare at the university cities, Mr. Alaa Khalaf, Director of the maintenance unit, and a number of university security staff.

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, participated in the regular meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, which was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, at the headquarters of Menoufia University, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the council, and the presidents of universities members of the council.

  Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy explained that the Supreme Council of Universities discussed during its meeting several important topics, including the announcement of the time map for the academic year 2025/2026, the approval of the rules for coordinating admission to universities and institutes, as well as discussing ways to strengthen linking scientific research with development plans and the national economy, activating innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, the meeting also addressed supporting the sustainability of professional development centers, and the implementation of the "Be Ready – one million innovative qualifications" initiative within the national strategy for higher education and scientific research.

  During the meeting, Dr. Ayman Ashour directed to quickly announce the results of the second-semester exams for the academic year 2024/2025, complete the necessary maintenance of laboratories and university facilities, ensure the application of Occupational Health and safety elements before the start of the new year, and also stressed the continuation of the implementation of artistic, cultural and social student activities during the summer holidays, and support talented students in various fields.

  The minister also stressed the importance of transforming scientific research outputs into products that serve the national economy, enhancing the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and linking research with development plans, stressing that universities continue to implement awareness campaigns for students to combat incorrect ideas and strengthen national affiliation.

  The meeting witnessed several important presentations, including Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, on the commercialization of research outputs, training researchers to invest research results in real feasibility studies, and identification of incubators and business accelerators.

  Dr. Sherif Kishk, Assistant Minister for Smart Governance, also made a presentation on the implementation of the "Be Ready – One Million Innovative Qualifications" initiative, one of the tools for implementing the Presidential Initiative "alliance and development", under the umbrella of the national strategy for higher education, which aims to integrate professional development programs into academic schedules, and facilitate the use of digital centers and laboratories in training students, in coordination with the managers of professional development centers within universities.

Dr. Mona Hagras, assistant secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, presented the priorities of the BRICS group and the accession of 22 Egyptian universities to membership of the specialized committees of the University network and reviewed the proposed areas of cooperation in vital disciplines.

  Dr. Adel Abdul Ghaffar, media consultant and official spokesman of the Ministry of higher education and scientific research, stated that the council approved at its meeting the time map for the new academic year 2025/2026, which begins on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and the mid – term exams of the first semester "Mid – Term" are held during the first 3 weeks of November according to each college, and the first semester of study continues for 15 weeks, ending Thursday, January 1, 2026, and the end of the first semester exams begin on Saturday, January 3, 2026, ending Thursday January 22, 2026, the Mid-Year vacation starts from Saturday, January 24, 2026, and ends Thursday, February 5, 2026, and the second semester begins from Saturday, February 7, 2026, and the second semester "mid-term" exams are held during the first 3 weeks of April according to each college, and the study continues for 15 weeks, ending Thursday, May 21, 2026, and the second semester exams are held during the months of May and June 2026, according to the nature of the study and exams at each college.

The official spokesman added that the council adopted the rules for coordinating admission for students holding the Egyptian General secondary certificate and its equivalent (Arabic and foreign certificates), technical certificates, and Azhar secondary certificate for 2025, and applicants for the Coordination of 2025 to enroll in public universities and institutes in the academic year 2025/2026, the same coordination rules in force last year.

Assiut University announced the start of the construction of a beach playground in the student city, which is scheduled to be erected behind the building (m). This is within the framework of the University's ongoing plan to support student activities and develop the infrastructure of university cities, which contributes to improving the quality of university life and encouraging students to practice various sports activities.

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy stressed that the university pays great attention to enhancing the student accommodation environment and providing the necessary means of support for sports practice, based on its belief in the importance of student activities in building the personality of the university student and developing his physical and social abilities, explaining that the establishment of the beach stadium is a distinct addition to the sports structure within the University City for female students.

He pointed out that the university continues its efforts in developing university cities and raising their efficiency, through the implementation of several projects aimed at improving the level of services provided to students, in line with the University's vision to provide an integrated and supportive university experience for the educational process.

As part of the ongoing preparations for the construction of a beach playground in Assiut University's female students ' City, Dr. Ahmed Abdulmoula, vice president for education and student affairs, conducted a field tour on Thursday morning, May 29, to inspect the site allocated for the construction of the playground behind the building (m), accompanied by Mr. Mahmoud Antar, director general of university cities, and several city officials and supervisors.

During the tour, Dr. Abdulmoula discussed with the officials of the university cities the technical requirements and specifications of the project, in preparation for the start of implementation according to a specific schedule that takes into account quality standards and speed of completion, in line with the aspirations of students and provides a supportive environment for practicing sports activities.

The vice president of the university stressed the keenness of the university administration to create a healthy and safe environment within the university cities, which contributes to improving the quality of Student Life, pointing out that sports activities are one of the main pillars in building the personality of the university student, an important supporter of Public Health, and enhancing the values of cooperation and belonging.

- The president of Assiut University appreciates the efforts of the Department of Clinical Pathology in keeping pace with the accelerated development of international medical analysis mechanisms and maintaining the sustainability of quality standards and accreditation

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, received on Thursday, May 29, a delegation of members of the EGAC National Accreditation Council, headed by Engineer Mohamed Adel Ahmed, the council's electricity consultant, at the end of their visit to the university to renew the accreditation of the laboratories of the Department of Clinical Pathology at University Hospitals.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Alaa Attiyah, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and chairman of the board of University Hospitals, Dr. Khalid Abdul Aziz, director of the University Hospital President, Dr. Hisham Abdul Rahim, head of the Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. Hanan Jalal, director of the Clinical Pathology Laboratories, head of the laboratory and blood bank unit at the University women's Health Hospital, in addition to the presence of several professors of the department, namely, Dr. Heba Ahmed Abdul Hafiz, Dr. Suhair Kamel Sayed, Dr. Iman Nasreddin, Dr. Asma Omar Abdel Wahab, and Dr. Amal Abdel Aziz Mahmoud.

The delegation of the National Accreditation Council included: Dr. Bligh Hamdi Zaki, a medical analysis specialist, Dr. Hossam El Sayed Abdullah El Sayed, professor of Clinical Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Dr. Dina El Sayed Hassan El Shenawy, professor of Clinical Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Dr. Mona Mohieddin Abdel Halim, professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, and Dr. Sulaf Ahmed Mohamed Kamel, researcher at the National Research Center.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. El-Minshawy welcomed the Council delegation, praising the importance of the visit, which reflects the outstanding level reached by the laboratories and units of the University Hospitals in achieving comprehensive quality standards, raising the efficiency of medical and laboratory performance in line with global developments, ensuring the sustainability of accreditation systems within the medical sector at the University, and supporting the level of medical and therapeutic services provided to patients.

The president of the University praised the efforts exerted by the Department of Clinical Pathology in all its units and specialties and its continuous keenness to update and keep abreast of the latest medical analysis mechanisms at the international level, praising the integrated institutional performance embodied in the repeated successes of the department, which reflects a great commitment of all its staff to maintain the University's position among its counterparts from Egyptian universities.

Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that the university administration attaches great importance to supporting its educational and medical facilities and Sectors, based on its keenness to consolidate a culture of excellence and quality sustainability, in line with national trends toward the development and modernization of University Hospitals, and reaching them to the ranks of leading medical institutions globally.

The president of the University pointed out that the University's development plan includes a comprehensive modernization of all medical city facilities, the completion of the new University oncology hospital, the trauma hospital, as well as the ongoing modernization of infrastructure and medical devices at the main University Hospital. 

Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that the university pays great attention to the International Classification, as part of its continuous endeavor to improve its position in various international classifications, and attract more international students from different countries, wishing continued success and success to all university hospital staff, stressing the importance of expanding the application of the latest quality standards and accreditation based on efficiency and rational medical practices.

Dr. Alaa Attiyah added that the University spares no effort in supporting and developing the infrastructure and modern technologies at the University Hospitals, which contributes to improving the outputs of medical education, therapeutic service, and scientific research, and keeps pace with international standards, stressing that this success is the result of teamwork and sincere effort from all team members within the Department.

Dr. Khalid Abdul Aziz explained that the main hospital is moving steadily towards continuous development, through the modernization of medical devices and technologies, and the support of technical and human cadres, to enhance the accuracy of analyses and the speed of results, pointing out that this step represents a strong push towards achieving more achievements within the framework of accreditation and quality standards.

Dr. Hisham Abdul Rahim explained that the delegation's visit lasted for three days, during which a comprehensive review of the standards for the accreditation of all clinical pathology laboratories and units was carried out, which includes: the central laboratory of the main university hospital with its various units, which include hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, the main blood bank, the laboratory of the women's health hospital with its various units, and the women's Health Hospital Blood Bank. 

For their side, the delegation of the National Accreditation Council igac stressed the merit of the four Clinical Pathology Laboratories at Assiut University Hospitals in obtaining accreditation efficiently by the new specification, which reflects the confidence that these laboratories enjoy in the validity of the results of analyzes, and access to the best ways to diagnose and treat diseases in the shortest time.

The Ejac delegation also expressed their deep appreciation to Assiut University for its full support of these laboratories, which represent an added value for the users of the medical services provided through them, thanking all the medical and administrative staff based on them in appreciation of their efforts in applying the latest internationally approved quality standards.

Under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, the Faculty of Pharmacy organized a health and educational day entitled "Smoking and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases such as Diabetes, anemia and obesity", in conjunction with the World No Smoking Day, in cooperation with the community service and environmental development sector of the faculties of Pharmacy and medicine, in partnership with the youth health center of the Department of public health of the Faculty of Medicine, in the presence of Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Alim, vice-president of the University for community service and environmental development, under the supervision of Dr. Alaa Attiyah, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Jehan Nabil Fateh, dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

   The event was organized by Dr. Mohammed Abdul Latif, vice dean of the College of pharmacy for community service and environmental development, and Dr. Huda Makhlouf, vice dean of the College of medicine for community service and environmental development.

  Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy stressed that the organization of this event reflects the University's keenness to perform its awareness-raising and preventive mission, and active participation in health initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness of the dangers of smoking and its close relationship with the spread of chronic diseases, pointing out that the university is working to integrate health culture within its educational environment and encourage students to follow healthy lifestyles, which contributes to preparing a conscious and qualified generation to participate effectively in community development.

The event was attended by Dr. Hassan Refaat, vice dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Dina Fathallah, vice dean for graduate studies and research affairs, as well as several faculty members and their assistants, college staff, and several Pharmacists of University Hospitals.

Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Alim inspected part of the awareness campaign activities held at the College, which included providing blood pressure, sugar, and body mass measurement services to participants, stressing the importance of continuing to organize such events because of their vital role in raising awareness of the importance of quitting smoking, and contributing to global efforts aimed at reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, of which smoking is one of the most prominent causes.

The seminar also included a scientific seminar attended by Dr. Medhat al-Arabi, professor of therapeutic nutrition and Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Mahmoud Attiya, full professor at the Department of Public Health. The seminar dealt with the multiple dangers of smoking, including increasing the likelihood of diabetes, contributing to obesity as a result of reducing the rate of calorie burning and increasing appetite, in addition to its negative impact on the production of red blood cells leading to anemia, as well as the general damage it causes to all body systems, with the introduction of effective methods that help individuals quit smoking.

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, president of Assiut University, conducted a field tour today, Thursday, May 29, inside the workshops of the Faculty of Engineering, as part of his continuous inspection tours to follow up on the progress of work within the various sectors of the University, and to identify the needs necessary to develop performance and improve the quality of educational and productive services, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and rationalization of resources.

The president of the university was accompanied during his tour by Dr. Khaled Salah, dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Mohammed Safwat, vice dean for community service and Environmental Development, Dr. Shehata Al-Dabaa, engineering advisor to the president of the University, Dr. Mahmoud Heshmat, supervisor of workshops and professor at the Department of mechanical design and production, as well as several department heads and faculty members of the college.

The tour included inspecting a number of workshops and laboratories, most notably the blacksmithing and carpentry workshops, where many equipment and tools that serve the University's sectors are manufactured and renovated, in addition to providing manufacturing services to the external community, which contributes to enhancing the productive role of the University and its service to the community and the development of the local economy.

Dr. El-Minshawy also inspected the CNC laboratory, which is equipped with an advanced device for manufacturing high-precision equipment, machine spare parts, wood products, and Gears, stressing that the laboratory represents a qualitative leap in training students on digital manufacturing techniques, and reflects the University's keenness to link academic education with modern industrial applications.

The rector praised the operational efficiency of the workshops and their vital role in providing a practical educational environment that enables students to apply engineering concepts directly, which enhances their readiness for the labor market and raises the quality of educational outputs, stressing that the workshops are a leading model in the optimal use of resources and the provision of effective local alternatives that reduce costs and reduce waste.

Dr. El-Minshawy stressed that the University spares no effort in supporting and developing these workshops, whether by providing them with the latest technologies or qualifying technical cadres, in a way that supports the University's orientation towards serving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing local production.

For his side, Dr. Salah explained that the college's workshops are one of the main pillars in supporting the educational process, as they provide an integrated training environment that allows students the opportunity for practical application, as well as their role in the production and maintenance of equipment that meets the needs of the college and its various departments, which contributes to raising spending efficiency and achieving self-sufficiency in some aspects.

In the same context, Dr. Mahmoud Heshmat pointed out the wide variety of workshop activities, which include manufacturing and maintenance of Engineering Devices and equipment, renovation of educational equipment in various sectors of the University, in addition to supporting students ' projects through the manufacture of models and mechanical parts, and manufacturing spare parts for devices used inside and outside the University.