Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abd-el-Naby, President of the Egyptian Russian University (ERU), announced that students from the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts accomplished outstanding success at the 65th edition of “Al-Talāʾi” (Pioneers) Competition and Exhibition for Youth, which was organized by the Society of Fine Arts Lovers at Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum. The event was carried out with the support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mostafa, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.

The President of the ERU announced that the faculty won three prestigious awards in the area of ceramics during the event: student/ Karen Halim won the Artist Said Al-Sadr Award, while students/ Nada Mamdouh Abd-el-Kareem and Hagar Ahmed Ragab won the Artist Salwa Roshdy Award; in addition to the outstanding participation of the two students/ Safeya Mohamed and Habiba Ayman. Dr. Sherif emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting students’ participation in such competitions and meaningful initiatives: activities that showcase creative talents, reinforce a sense of belonging, and contribute to raising social awareness.

In the same context, Dr. Mohamed Oraby, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the ERU, pinpointed that these achievements were not confined to the field of ceramics but extended to various artistic disciplines, reflecting the richness of the academic experience within the faculty. He highlighted participation in the following fields:

– Painting: Students/ Ahd Mostafa, Sama Mohamed, and Kirollos Ragai.

– Mural Painting: Student/ Omneya Adel.

– Drawing: Student/ Mohamed Mahmoud.

The Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the ERU stated that the faculty management and the university administration are keen to have students participate in these competitions, given their role in developing skills and honing talents in order to enable students to compete in local, regional, and global labor markets. He expressed his pride in both the winners and the participants, noting that this achievement reflects the faculty’s strategy of enhancing experimentation and creative skill development, while providing students with opportunities for direct engagement with the visual arts society and dialogue with prominent critics and artists.

This distinguished participation conforms with the vision and strategy of the ERU to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its academic and student activities. The achievement supports Goal 4 (“Quality Education”) by honing applied skills and reinforcing experimentation; Goal 5 (“Gender Equality”) through the outstanding presence and award-winning success of female students; Goal 11 (“Sustainable Cities and Communities”) by employing arts to enrich cultural and community life and by preserving and developing Egyptian cultural and artistic heritage; and Goal 17 (“Partnerships for the Goals”) through effective collaboration between the university and civil society and cultural institutions.