The Faculty of Medicine at Galala University organized an international scientific symposium titled “Antimicrobial Stewardship: From Policy to Practice” on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. Held under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Shinawi, President of Galala University, and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Elbadry, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the event brought together a distinguished group of international and national experts, alongside faculty members and students, to discuss one of the most urgent public health challenges worldwide: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The symposium featured a rich scientific program with valuable contributions from leading specialists. The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. med. Jens Thomsen, a German clinical microbiologist and consultant for the World Health Organization in the Europe, EMRO, and SEARO regions. His lecture highlighted how national surveillance systems are used internationally to enhance antibiotic stewardship and support evidence-based policymaking.
Another major presentation was given by Dr. Rasha Abdelsalam El-Shenawy, Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship School at FADIC (UK) and antimicrobial stewardship consultant at the South Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She provided practical, evidence-based approaches to building sustainable antimicrobial stewardship programs across diverse healthcare settings, emphasizing long-term impact and adaptability.
National expertise also played a key role in the symposium. Distinguished speakers from the Egyptian Healthcare Authority, Galala University, and Cairo University delivered talks on core areas including stewardship implementation, diagnostic stewardship, clinical decision-making, and infection prevention and control. Their contributions highlighted the importance of integrated national action and collaboration across institutions to combat AMR effectively.
A central highlight of the day was the student poster exhibition, showcasing 30 posters submitted by students from seven faculties: Medicine, Pharmacy, Applied Health Sciences, Basic Sciences, Dentistry, Nursing, and Computer Science. The poster topics reflected the interdisciplinary strength of Galala University, addressing themes such as One Health stewardship approaches, stewardship awareness and education, diagnostic stewardship innovations, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence applications in predicting AMR trends. The exhibition underscored the scientific enthusiasm and research potential of Galala University students, reinforcing the University’s commitment to training future healthcare leaders and innovators.
Through this symposium, Galala University reaffirms its dedication to advancing medical education, research excellence, and community health priorities, while contributing meaningfully to national and global efforts to address antimicrobial resistance.
