The university president welcomed the former Minister of Higher Education prior to the discussion of his doctoral dissertation. Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, welcomed today, Thursday, May 22, 2025, Professor Dr. Sayed Ahmed Abd Al Khalek, former Minister of Higher Education and Professor of Political Economy and Economic Legislation at the Faculty of Law, Mansoura University. This came shortly before he participated in the discussion of the doctoral dissertation submitted by researcher Ali Abd Al Moneim Ali Mohamad Khedr, entitled "The Economic Functions of Seaports," in pursuit of a doctorate degree in economics and public finance from the university's Faculty of Law. The meeting was attended by Professor Dr. Samir El Gamal, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Professor Dr. Mustafa Kamel Khalil, Professor and Head of the Department of Political Economy and Economic Legislation, former Dean of the Faculties of Law at Aswan and Damietta Universities, and the thesis supervisor. At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie welcomed the Minister, appreciating his visit to the university and his academic participation. He emphasized the importance of scientific cooperation and the exchange of expertise in supporting scientific research and advancing the educational process. For his part, Professor Dr. Sayed Ahmed Abd Al Khalek expressed his happiness with his visit to Damietta University, praising the university's academic and research development and affirming his support for all efforts to enhance the standing of Egyptian universities at the local and international levels.