The Forum of Foreign Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities, focusing on education and healthcare in the Middle East and North Africa, was organized by Rossotrudnichestvo in collaboration with the North Caucasus Federal University. Held in Egypt on December 3–4 at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel, the event brought together experts and officials to strengthen international cooperation.

The forum opened with prominent attendees, including Russian Ambassador to Egypt Georgiy Borisenko, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Pavel Shevtsov, and Sherif Gad, President of the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities. Officials from the education and healthcare sectors, alumni association leaders, and activists from across the region also participated.

Activities on the first day continued until late in the evening and resumed the next morning with discussions and roundtables on key topics. The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Ambassador Borisenko and Minister Ashour, followed by speeches from alumni association representatives.

The opening session was presented by media anchor and Director of the Centre for Arab-Eurasian Studies Amr Abdel-Hamid. Over the two days, the forum covered various subjects, including scientific research, industrial and educational partnerships, and the role of alumni associations in strengthening ties with Russia. Opportunities for advanced training in fields such as higher education management and healthcare administration were also announced.

Sherif Gad and Pavel Shevtsov with participants at the round table discussion (photo courtesy of the Russian Cultural Centre)

During a press conference, Pavel Shevtsov spoke about Russia's growing role in international education, highlighting an increase in scholarship opportunities, currently at 320 annually, with plans to expand to 400. He addressed the challenges foreign students face when they return home, emphasizing the importance of Russia's comprehensive educational system, which integrates academics, sports, cultural exposure, and collaboration. This system, he noted, helps students adapt to diverse environments and succeed professionally.

Shevtsov also mentioned that around 30,000 foreign students currently study in Russia under government scholarships, including 6,000 from the United States and Western Europe. He reflected on the possibility of reviving the "golden era" of Russian education, saying that while times have changed, projects like the El Dabaa nuclear plant illustrate the growing partnership between Egypt and Russia. He expressed optimism about expanding Russian cultural centres and fostering interest in the Russian language across Egypt, extending beyond Cairo and Alexandria to other governorates.

Russian Ambassador Georgiy Borisenko, Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour with Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for International Cooperation, Media personality Amr Abdel-Hamid

One of the forum's highlights was a roundtable discussion titled Connected by an Atom: Human Resources for Sustainable Development in the Region. Sherif Gad hosted the session, with participants from various countries and Russian experts joining via video conference. The discussions focused on how large-scale projects like the Dabaa nuclear plant could serve as models for sustainable development, emphasizing the need for quality education, training, and creating environments that encourage innovation and productivity. Participants stressed the importance of aligning individual and institutional efforts to achieve lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits.

The forum provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and underscored the importance of collaboration in education and healthcare to drive development in the region.