The event was attended by several ministers, the Governor of Cairo, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and Dr. Hani Helal, head of the UNESCO Chair for Cultural Heritage Preservation at Cairo University. Also in attendance were various ambassadors, university presidents, heads of research centers, and representatives from partner institutions and UNESCO.
Upon his arrival, Madbouly was welcomed by Minister of
Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Ayman Ashour and Dr. Omar El
Hosseiny, head of the academy's preparatory committee.
During the ceremony, Madbouly listened to speeches from
several officials, including Dr. El Hosseiny, Italian Ambassador Michele
Quaroni, French Ambassador Eric Chevallier, and UNESCO's Giannini.
In his speech, Ashour described the launch of the IAAU as an
"exceptional occasion," highlighting it as a significant milestone in
scientific and academic cooperation between Egypt and the world. He noted that
the academy was established in collaboration with UNESCO and leading
international institutions, including the School of Architecture of Grenoble in
France, the Faculty of Architecture at Sapienza University in Rome, and the
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam
in the Netherlands.
Ashour explained that the academy is a key outcome of
Egypt's National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research,
launched in March 2023. The strategy aims to enhance international standards
and link educational and research outcomes with local and global dimensions to
help academics keep pace with rapid developments.
He stated that the IAAU is intended to be a "pivotal
center of enlightenment" in Egypt, driving a qualitative leap in
architectural and urban planning education. The academy aims to connect various
disciplines, enrich the job market with highly qualified professionals, and
offer internationally accredited specialized certifications to enhance the
skills of existing professionals.
Ashour added that the academy will offer dual-degree programs in partnership with prestigious European schools of architecture and urbanism. The IAAU will not only train new architects and urban planners but also provide continuous, specialized training for those already in the workforce.