The Egyptian Russian University (ERU) has organized a great celebration under the slogan “My Homeland, the Land of Pride and Dignity,” commemorating the golden jubilee of the glorious 6th of October victories, in the presence of a number of war leaders and heroes, a group of executive and popular leaders, prominent figures of higher education, and the university faculty members. The celebration took place at the hall of the late Dr. Sherif Helmy, with the support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mustafa, Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, and under the auspices of Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abd-el-Naby, the President of the University.

The celebration was honored by the presence of the heroes of the October War who had a clear mark on the war, namely: Major General Pilot / Ahmed Al-Mansoury, the performer of the amazing mind-numbing air maneuvers, for which he was described “the crazy pilot,” and Major General Captain Wessam Abbas Hafez, who had participated in the War of Attrition and October War, one of the heroes of the Egyptian Navy and a member of the “39” fighting group, who made great sacrifices and heroism in the October War in 1973. The celebration was also honored by the presence of Professor / Ahmed Nawwar: a sniper in the armed forces who had taken part in the War of Attrition and the 6th of October War, a full-time professor of graphics and the Head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, the former Head of the Fine Arts Sector, and the founding Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Menya.
Inaugurating the celebration, Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohammed Abd-el-Naby, President of the Egyptian Russian University (ERU), welcomed the university’s guests and thanked them for their participation in this celebration, which the university is keen to hold annually, and for being present among the students to recount the heroism and sacrifices of Egypt’s brave soldiers, to shed light on the epic of the great October Victory, including the relevant the everlasting stories of heroism, glory and success. Dr. Sherif also emphasized that the university administration is keen to organize many cultural seminars and to host many influential figures in various fields with the aim to shape the students’ national awareness and to develop the values ​​and spirit of loyalty and belonging inside them.
The ERU President explained that the October victory will always remain as a source of pride, and that we, Egyptians, have been celebrating the commemoration of this victory over the past 50 years in order for us to be inspired by the victories of the 6th of October: “the belief in the capabilities of our nation, God willing, to achieve victory in all fields, seriousness, perseverance, perfect organization, and self-sacrifice,” which are the basis for success in reaching the goal… pointing out that the purpose of this celebration is to rejoice in what the people of the nation have achieved. Furthermore, the celebration aims at delivering to the students a message that Egypt’s youth in the October War were the ones who crossed the canal, liberated the land, and restored the nation’s dignity, and that today’s youth have the same role in protecting their country and raising its status, through the current achievements, national projects, and sustainable development in various fields.
Through his speech, Major General Pilot / Ahmed Al-Mansoury reviewed the honorable heroics of the Egyptian Air Forces, in which he was one of the most prominent heroes during the war period until reaching victory, and how he was able to break records and global rules of fighting aviation, until his air battles and maneuvers and those of his fellows, the eagles of the Egyptian Air Forces, become lessons taught at local and international military academies. He also talked about his carrying out “fifty-two sorties” during the October War, and how he managed to land with his broken-down plane on the Zaafarana Road. He received many medals, including the Medal of Courage and the Military Star Medal, in addition to other ones.
In the same context, Major General Captain / Wessam Abbas Hafez spoke about the achievements of the Naval Special Forces, whose members are distinguished by their strong physical structure, and whose heroes have specific standards and special capacities, which help them perform their mission efficiently and easily. He narrated the full story of the operation of the Egyptian frogmen’s attack on the Port of Eylat and the sinking of the Israeli ships. He also mentioned the role performed by the “Fighting Group 39” – the most famous group in Egyptian military history – during the October War.
In his word, Professor / Ahmed Nawwar recounted his memories of the period which he spent in the armed forces, how it affected his personality, and that he considered it one of the most important periods of his life. This is because all his energy and life at that time were totally dedicated to his country, which is the most precious for him. He explained that he had great energy which turned into a strong will, and that he and his fellow soldiers – as he was a commander of 30 soldiers – in the sniper corps, exerted very great efforts to reach the goal, in terms of both sniping the enemy and crossing.

On her part, Dr. Hanaa Abd-el-Rahman, the Leader of Students’ Activities at the Egyptian Russian University, highlighted how much important it is for the students and new generations to know the history of their fathers and grandfathers who participated in the “October Victories” and to realize the unity of the Egyptian people and their armed forces.
She added that “October Victory” will always remain a source of the Egyptians’ glory and their pride of the men of the “Egyptian Armed Forces,” the nation’s shield and fortress in confronting any attempts to harm its land, security or stability throughout history.
Dr. Hanaa also indicated that the ERU’s Choir have performed, during the celebration, many patriotic songs, which inflamed the enthusiasm of the students and guests and they interacted with the songs. She also referred to the documentary film “The Crossing” which was played during the celebration. Dr. Ahmed Nawwar prepared and directed the film, in which he tackled, through a symbolic vision, the stage of the War of Attrition leading to the Great Crossing.

At the end of the celebration, Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohammed Abd-el-Naby, President of the University, honored: “Major General Pilot / Ahmed Al-Mansoury, Major General Captain / Wessam Hafez, and Dr. Ahmed Nawwar, for honoring the celebration and for the great sacrifices they made for our dear country, Egypt.
The celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the glorious victories of the 6th of October was attended by: “Engineer Tarek Belal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ministry of Education Dep. at the cities of Shorouk, Badr and “Hadayek Al-Aasemah”, a large number of faculty deans, faculty members and faculty supporting staff, students from all the university faculties, in addition to public figures.”