Prof. Dr. Mohamed El Shinawi, President of Galala University, participated in the high-level international conference “Bridging Continents: Higher Education as a Tool for EU–Southern Mediterranean Cooperation”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels. The conference convened senior policymakers, university leaders, and higher education experts to examine how academic cooperation can contribute to sustainable development, stability, and integration across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Prof. El Shinawi took part in Panel II: “Enabling Academic Mobility and Brain Circulation through University Alliances”, a session dedicated to exploring how South–North Mediterranean university alliances can serve as structured mechanisms for academic mobility and knowledge exchange. The panel addressed several key issues affecting higher education institutions in the Southern Mediterranean, including gaps and limitations in existing mobility programmes, disparities in funding opportunities, and challenges related to visa procedures and academic recognition.
Discussions also focused on emerging models of circular mobility, which aim to promote the exchange of talent while encouraging knowledge transfer and long-term institutional development, as well as the role of targeted exchange programmes in empowering youth and expanding inclusive access to international education opportunities.
A central feature of Galala University’s participation was the direct involvement of its students in the conference dialogue. Prof. El Shinawi was joined by Mohamed Elsadek, a student from the Biotechnology Program, and Lana Arafa, a student from the Interior Architecture Program. The students participated in the high-level discussions at the European Parliament, contributing student perspectives to conversations on academic mobility, international collaboration, and the future of higher education cooperation between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean.
Their participation highlighted Galala University’s approach to integrating students into international academic platforms and policy-oriented discussions, reinforcing the importance of youth engagement in shaping educational frameworks and mobility initiatives. By involving students from diverse academic disciplines, the university emphasized the value of interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing regional and global higher education challenges.
Through the participation of its president and students in this high-level forum, Galala University reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive academic mobility, supporting meaningful international partnerships, and empowering students to actively engage in regional and global higher education dialogue.
