Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abdel Nabi, President of the Egyptian Russian University, announced that, as part of the university’s social and educational role, the Department of Architecture at the university’s Faculty of Engineering organized the first practical workshop for children, titled “Little Architect’s Day.” The workshop aims to contribute to developing creativity and design thinking among young generations from an early age through pioneering initiative to engage children in interactive activities to learn about the importance of architecture and instill the values ​​of teamwork and initiative by participating in designing a small architectural model. The workshop is supported by Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mustafa, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.
On the same topic, Dr. Alaa Mohamed El Batsh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Egyptian Russian University, explained that these activities help develop innovation skills and train children in the basics of architecture and urban design in simplified ways, by developing miniature architectural projects and implementing them using simple materials. This reinforces the university’s role as a leading platform for education and community service. He noted that the objectives of the Little Architect Workshop for Children include:
1. Developing creativity and design thinking among children through practical and interactive activities.
2. Introducing children to the basics of architecture and urban planning in a simplified and age-appropriate manner.
3. Using modern technology as a stimulating educational tool for designing and implementing models.
4. Instilling the values ​​of teamwork and collaboration with others.
5. Fostering the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship by training children to present and develop their ideas.
6. Setting up early community awareness of the role of architecture and its importance in improving quality of life and building future cities.
In the same context, Dr. Faten Labib, Head of the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering at the Egyptian Russian University, indicated that the Department of Architecture aims to be a pioneer in developing creativity and spreading architectural culture among children through interactive educational workshops that rely on practical experience and modern technology, with gradual development. The program is designed to become a comprehensive, multi-day training program that includes diverse activities that support learning and creativity and prepare an innovative generation aware of the role of architecture in building the future.
The Head of the Architecture Department at the Faculty of Engineering at the Egyptian Russian University stated that the “Young Architect’s Day” workshop targeted children between the ages of 7 to 15, with 73 participants. The workshop was a first-of-its-kind experience aimed at engaging children in interactive architectural activities that combine learning by experimenting, fun, and creativity. The event featured a number of interactive activities, most notably:
– Learning about the early history of architecture.
– Using simple materials: clay, paper, cardboard, and paints to build architectural models.
– Working in small groups to enhance cooperation and team spirit.
– Displaying the children’s projects at the conclusion of the workshop was attended by parents, the Dean of the Faculty, the Head of the Architecture Department, faculty members, and guests from the architecture professors at the Faculty of Engineering at Matariya University, including Dr. Sayed Marai, Dr. Nihad Hosni, and Dr. Manar Hussein.
Dr. Faten Labib reported that the workshop resulted in the children creating distinctive architectural models, featuring the Nile River with both banks, primitive houses, ovens, a well, areas planted with trees and palm trees, and animal models, a clear embodiment of the integration between urban and environmental elements.
The Head of the Architecture Department at the Faculty of Engineering at the Russian Egyptian University expressed her thanks to the university and college administration, as well as Dr. Tamer Salah from the Communications Department, for their support of this initiative and their encouragement to launch this workshop from its inception as an idea to its implementation. She also thanked the parents for their keenness and active participation in the success of the experience by encouraging their children to participate.
It is worth noting that the “Young Architect’s Day” workshop was organized by the Architectural Engineering Department’s assistant faculty members: Ass Lec. Aya Walid,. Ass Lec. Reem Taher, Ass Lec. Rowida Hamdy Ass Lec. Samar Hafez, Ass Lec. Aya Mohamed, Ass Lec. Nouran Mohamed, Eng. Lobna Abdel Karim, Eng. Manar Ramadan, Eng Bassam El-Sayed, Eng Ahmed Khalil, Eng. Toqa Salah, Eng. Alaa Abdel Basset, Ass.Lec Sara Alaa El-Din, and Eng. Nada Samir, and the faculty members: Dr. Zeinab Shaarawy, Dr. Roqaya Farouk, and the students who participated in the event were: Habeeba Ashraf, Maysam Mohammed, Salma Mohammed, Yasmine Mohammed, Rowan Ahmed, Maram Kamel, Mariam Osama, Marawan Wesam, Janna Ahmed, Rahma Abdel Khaleq, Muhannad Hassan Adam, Nermin Kamal, and Menna Allah Mahmoud, who contributed with their sincere efforts to the success of this distinguished day.