The University President Attends Fulbright Workshop on “Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer”

Prof. Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of Damietta University, attended the workshop organized by the Fulbright Commission entitled: “2026 University Leadership Program Series: From Idea to Ecosystem – Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer”. The event was held in the presence of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chair of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt, alongside several ministry leaders and presidents of Egyptian universities.

The workshop also included Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research; Dr. Mostafa Rifaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities; Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister and Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector; and Dr. Maggie Nessif, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt, along with a number of academic leaders.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour highlighted that the Fulbright program has served as a cultural and scientific bridge between Egypt and the United States since its inception, providing a platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise between the two nations. He emphasized the ministry’s and universities’ commitment to strengthening academic and research collaboration with educational and research institutions worldwide, opening broader avenues for scientific and academic partnerships that support national priorities and human capacity building.

Dr. Ashour also pointed out the ministry’s and universities’ interest in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation as key elements of the national higher education and research strategy, and their role in linking scientific research with industry to boost the national economy.

Dr. Maggie Nessif highlighted the long-term partnership between Egypt and the United States, including the Fulbright program, and thanked Dr. Ashour for his vision in shaping the future of higher education. She noted that the Fulbright Commission in Egypt is the only one worldwide managed by the country’s Minister of Higher Education, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to the program. She also outlined the fully funded programs, training opportunities for students in emerging fields, postgraduate and postdoctoral research opportunities, and programs designed to enhance faculty members’ administrative and organizational skills.

Dr. Richard Joseph, Fulbright expert and senior advisor to the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, and former academic president of Bryant University and Hult International Business School, delivered a presentation titled “From Idea to Ecosystem: Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer.” He focused on bridging the gap between academic research and the market, the ministry’s efforts through the presidential initiative “Alliance & Development” and the R2E program to train researchers as entrepreneurs, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, enhancing the role of technology transfer offices, incentivizing faculty innovation, strengthening industry partnerships, and collaborating with academic, research, and industrial institutions. He emphasized the importance of a technology transfer strategy aligned with labor market needs, operational environments, community engagement, and national priorities.

At the conclusion of the workshop, fruitful discussions took place between university presidents, ministry leaders, and the expert on how to leverage the workshop content to enhance Egypt’s educational and research systems.

Prof. Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally stressed that the workshop provided an important opportunity to exchange international experiences in entrepreneurship and technology transfer, strengthen the connection between research outputs and market needs, and highlighted Damietta University’s commitment to supporting innovation and fostering entrepreneurial thinking among faculty, researchers, and students in line with the national higher education and research strategy and sustainable development goals.