Benha National University took part in the Egyptian Universities Youth Forum, Creativity – Innovation – Entrepreneurship, organised by the Leadership Development Institute of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research from 16 to 18 October 2026, as part of Egypt Forum 2026, held under the theme A Look at Today .. A Vision for Tomorrow. The Forum was held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, in response to his call for greater youth participation in dialogue on national issues and the country’s future, and for young people’s views and proposals on development priorities to be heard.
At the direction of Prof. Tamer Samir, President of Benha National University, and under the supervision of Prof. Hussein El-Maghraby, Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University was represented by a delegation of 39 students from its various faculties. They joined more than 1,000 students from public, national, technological and private universities across Egypt, representing a broad range of interests in creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology.
The Forum continued the student dialogue initiated at Egyptian universities during the preparatory sessions for Egypt Forum 2026. It provided university students with a platform to examine national issues, assess current challenges and put forward ideas, solutions and proposals to help shape future priorities. It also sought to harness young people’s scientific knowledge and creative potential in support of comprehensive development.
A key feature of the programme was a panel discussion on innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions, with contributions from Dr. Hany Eiad, Executive Director of the Innovators Support Fund, and Dr. Karim Hammam, Adviser to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Student Activities and Director of the Leadership Development Institute. The discussion explored approaches to identifying innovators and nurturing their talents, mechanisms for supporting student-led ideas and projects, and ways to ensure that the outcomes of higher education and scientific research respond to society’s needs.
The discussion highlighted the importance of translating creative ideas into practical applications by assessing promising proposals, providing appropriate technical and financial support, and aligning graduation projects and research applications with national priorities and the challenges facing different sectors. Participants also examined the contribution of competitions, hackathons and specialised programmes to identifying emerging talent, alongside the importance of closer collaboration among universities, organisations supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and start ups.
The dialogue sessions further enabled students to engage directly with the issues under discussion and put forward proposals for developing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. They also considered how access to programmes and initiatives supporting innovators and talented young people could be expanded, reinforcing the role of academic institutions in translating knowledge and scientific research into practical solutions to societal challenges and supporting the development of a knowledge-based economy.
The programme also featured field and educational visits to national institutions and technology focused projects. These included Knowledge City, the Egyptian Space Agency and the Information and Decision Support Center of the Cabinet. Students also visited a number of landmarks in the New Administrative Capital, including the City of Arts and Culture, the Museum of Egyptian Capitals, the Opera House, the Mosque of Egypt, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ and the Financial and Business District. In addition, meetings were held with the Ministers of Investment and Planning, giving students first hand exposure to national efforts in technology, innovation, planning and economic development.
Benha National University’s participation was particularly relevant to the preparatory dialogue for Egypt Forum 2026, which addressed a wide range of themes, including development gaps and spatial justice, the economic programme, energy, food and water security, education and employment, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and health. These themes reflect the breadth of issues under consideration and the importance of engaging young people in developing proposals informed by knowledge and academic experience and responsive to society’s needs.
Through its participation, Benha National University reaffirms its commitment to engaging students in national initiatives that bring together dialogue, knowledge and practical application. The University continues to encourage creative thinking, initiative and the development of innovative solutions, contributing to the preparation of a generation of young people who understand the country’s priorities and are equipped to apply their knowledge and skills in support of development and to play an active role in shaping the future.