Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdel Nabi, President of the Egyptian Russian University, announced that the university campus received a student delegation from the Russian Federation consisting of (29) male and female students from Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (Moscow) and Russian State University for the Humanities (Moscow). The visit comes within the framework of student exchange agreements concluded between the Egyptian Russian University and a number of Russian universities. He pointed out that hosting the student delegation was fully supported by Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mostafa, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.

The President of the Egyptian Russian University explained that an intensive visit program was prepared for the Russian student delegation to get acquainted with historical places in Cairo and its surroundings, as well as Egyptian history, culture, and traditions, alongside tourist and coastal areas. This program is offered by the university to students of the Russian partner universities in order to strengthen cultural and academic relations, activate student exchange, extend bridges of communication and openness to foreign cultures, and consolidate ties between the Egyptian state, the Egyptian people, and the peoples of the Russian Federation.

In the same context, Dr. Makarem El-Ghamry, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun and Technical Languages at the Egyptian Russian University, indicated that the Russian students attended lectures on Arabic language and culture in the faculty’s classrooms and language labs. They also participated in a cultural program introducing them to Egyptian civilization and culture, in addition to a welcoming meeting. She noted that the visit of the Russian student delegation and their study at the Egyptian Russian University will enhance dialogue between Egypt and Russia, and contribute to spreading Arabic language and culture beyond its borders.

The Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun and Technical Languages added that this visit represents one of the university’s contributions to strengthening Egypt’s “soft power” by providing Russian students studying Arabic with the opportunity to practice using it in Egypt. At the same time, they were introduced practically to Egyptian monuments, history, culture, and traditions. She stressed that this would make them more understanding of Egypt’s circumstances and the aspirations of Egyptians, which would later be reflected in their decisions and dealings related to Egypt in their future professional lives.

For her part, Mrs. Ikram Mohamed Abdel Hamid, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Russian University, stated that the university provided all the students’ essential needs during their stay in Egypt, including accommodation, training, and entertainment. A rich program was arranged throughout their visit, covering numerous attractions in Egypt’s most beautiful cultural, touristic, coastal, and recreational sites.

In the same vein, Dr. Hanaa Abdel Rahman, Supervisor of Student Activities at the Egyptian Russian University, revealed that the visit program of the Russian Federation student delegation inside the campus included attending some lectures with their Egyptian peers, in order to achieve closeness, integration, and interaction with Egyptian society and enrich their experience. She pointed out that the Russian students were from Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (Moscow) and Russian State University for the Humanities (Moscow).

Similarly, Mohamed Saber, a Russian language instructor at the Egyptian Russian University, confirmed that the program included visits to several famous shopping centers in Cairo, a Nile cruise, a papyrus factory, the Suez Canal, the Pyramids of Giza, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, the Citadel of Salah al-Din, Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i Mosques, the Coptic churches complex in Old Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, Prince Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial, Al-Azhar Mosque, Khan Al-Khalili, Al-Muizz Street, Qaitbay Citadel, the Roman Amphitheater, and other tourist landmarks. In addition, trips were organized to several cities such as Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, and Fayoum.

Meanwhile, the students expressed their happiness at visiting Egypt, their warm reception, and the opportunity to practice Arabic at the Egyptian Russian University, as well as getting to know Egyptian and Arab culture closely. They stressed that the visit program was comprehensive, and that the university administration provided them with all means of comfort. They explained that they are ready to exert great effort to learn the Arabic language and to contribute to spreading the culture and strengthening Arab-Russian friendship. They also expressed their wish to serve as ambassadors in their country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially in Arab or Middle Eastern countries, after this useful and enjoyable visit to Egypt.