From February 19-23, 2025, the Calabrian Institute of International Policy(IsCaPI) carried out an institutional mission to Egypt as part of the Summer Peace University (SPU) programming.
The delegation consisted of President Dr. Salvatore La Porta, Africa and Middle East Coordinator Dr. Taha Mattar, International Secretary Dr. Fabiana Andrea Bellina and Local Secretary Dr. Denise Fiore.
Mission objective: to strengthen relations with Egyptian universities and institutions, fostering new academic, cultural and scientific collaborations, and consolidate SPU’s presence as a platform for dialogue and cultural diplomacy.
The meeting at the Italian Embassy in Cairo
The mission opened with an official meeting at theItalian Embassy in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in the presence ofAmbassador Michele Quaroni.
At the meeting, the Embassy reiterated its support for IsCaPI initiatives, recognizing the value of SPU as a tool for international cooperation.
Afterwards, the delegation met withScience Attaché Domenico De Martinis, with whom new possibilities for collaboration between Italian and Egyptian universities were explored, particularly for student mobility and joint research.
Galala University: academy and international art
On Feb. 21, the delegation participated in a high-profile event at Galala University, attended by Chancellor Prof. Mohamed El-Sayed El-Shinawi, IsCaPI President Salvatore La Porta, Coordinator Taha Mattar andScience Attaché Domenico De Martinis.
On this occasion, the first African panel of the international art project “The World Gate,” created by Argentine artists of Luis Beltrán under the supervision of Prof. Akmal Abdelrahman, professor of the Faculty of Art and Design, was unveiled.
The project, which combines art and knowledge as tools for intercultural dialogue, was highly appreciated by academic authorities and international representatives from Argentina, Nepal, Italy, Egypt and Australia.
The day continued with a strategic meeting between IsCaPI and university leadership: Galala University expressed strong interest in joining the SPU network with academic exchanges of faculty and students.
May University in Cairo: a new protocol for SPU.
On Feb. 23, the delegation made a stop at May University in Cairo, meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mr. Nageh Mohamed Sayed Galal, Chancellor Prof. Moheb Al-Rafie and Director of the Office of International Education and English Language Program Rania M. A. Mageed.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking May University’s official membership in the SPU network.
This was followed by a lecture introducing the SPU program to students. It featured two witnesses from the previous Summer Peace University: Prof. Gihan Mohamed, a lecturer who gave some lectures, and Dina Hassan, a student participant.
Their first-hand experiences helped engage the academic and student community, sparking enthusiasm and interest in international collaboration opportunities.
Heliopolis University: an already established partnership
On the same day, the IsCaPI delegation visited Heliopolis University, welcomed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mr. Helmy Abouleish.
The university, the first Egyptian institution to sign an MoU with IsCaPI during the previous SPU, has already seen some of its students participate in the Summer Peace University in Belvedere Marittimo (October 2024).
The meeting strengthened this collaboration and opened new prospects for joint development in academia and culture.
Mission results
The mission to Egypt brought concrete results:
- official agreements with May University and consolidation of partnership with Heliopolis University;
- internationalization of SPU by opening new channels with Galala University;
- Institutional support from the Embassy of Italy in Cairo;
- Enhancement of art as a tool for intercultural dialogue with the World Gate project.
Conclusions
The mission to Egypt confirmed the role of IsCaPI and the Summer Peace University as a platform for international academic diplomacy, capable of uniting universities, institutions and students through culture, education and art.
Thanks to these new partnerships, the relationship between Italy and Egypt is enriched with concrete prospects for cooperation, strengthening ties between the Mediterranean and the Middle East in a dimension of peace and shared development.