The event opened with a speech by Asst. Prof Mina Samaan, who warmly welcomed the participants and extended gratitude to the various partners involved in organizing the event. He specifically acknowledged Galala University and TU Dresden for their significant contributions and the support of the DAAD Regional Office Cairo. In his remarks, Asst. Prof. Samaan emphasised the urgent need to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and create inclusive environments within universities, stating: “Universities must accommodate all individuals, particularly those with disabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

Asst. Prof Samaan, sharing his personal experience as someone with a visual impairment, highlighted the societal barriers that often contribute to exclusion. He cited the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of disability, noting that “disability is shaped more by societal barriers than by individual conditions.” His journey in securing funding for the workshop, with the assistance of Prof. Dr Gesine Marquardt, Liaison Officer for Students with Disabilities and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Technische Universität Dresden, showcased the importance of collaboration between international institutions in overcoming these obstacles.

The workshop officially commenced with a video presentation, followed by remarks from Prof. Dr Mohamed Elshinawi, President of Galala University, who emphasised the importance of working together to promote inclusivity. “It is a privilege to be in the presence of such esteemed colleagues and guests,” he stated, adding, “Our collaboration with the DAAD and our German partners reflects our shared commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive academic environment.”

Prof. Dina Orabi, Director of the Equal Opportunity Unit at Galala University, delivered an impassioned speech about the university’s ongoing efforts to promote equal opportunities. She remarked, “Our mission at Galala University is to ensure that every student, regardless of their background or ability, has the chance to succeed in a supportive environment.” Prof. Orabi detailed the work of the Equal Opportunity Unit, which currently serves over 60 students with disabilities across more than 12 programs, with the support of 92 dedicated volunteers. “Inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a key component of academic excellence,” she stressed.

Prof. Orabi has also introduced a three-year initiative aimed at raising awareness of equal opportunity on campus. She encouraged attendees to reflect on their roles in fostering inclusivity, adding, “We must all play our part in creating a culture of respect and understanding, where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated.” The session concluded with a video featuring efforts to raise awareness about visual impairment, further highlighting the university’s commitment to inclusivity.

The workshop featured five panel discussions, each of which explored various aspects of inclusivity in higher education, sustainable development, and the design of university campuses to accommodate diverse needs. The first panel discussion entitled “Creating a More Equitable and Inclusive Environment in Higher Education,” moderated by Prof. Dina Orabi, focused on strategies for making higher education more inclusive. Dr Stefanie Dreiack, Coordinator for Inclusive Universities at the Coordination Office for Equal Opportunities in Saxony, Leipzig University, highlighted the efforts in Germany to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) across all universities in the state of Saxony. “Our approach in Saxony is comprehensive,” Dr Dreiack explained. “We have action plans in place at all universities, and these are not just policies on paper – they involve leadership at various levels and focus on accessibility, digital inclusion, and raising awareness among students and staff.”

Dr Cornelia Hähne, Head of the Directorate of University Culture at TU Dresden, echoed this sentiment, noting that TU Dresden’s inclusion initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at fostering diversity and sustainability on campus. “Our university is more than a place of learning; it is a community where people from all walks of life come together to grow, teach, and contribute to society,” Dr. Hähne expressed. Furthermore, she discussed the university’s health management services, family-friendly policies, and cultural spaces, all of which contribute to an inclusive campus culture.

Dr Sara Zidan from Mansoura University tackled the importance of community engagement in fostering inclusivity, noting “We must involve not only students with disabilities but also their peers, ensuring that inclusion becomes a collective effort,” she emphasised. She elaborated on Mansoura University’s efforts to engage students with disabilities in academic and extracurricular activities, promoting an environment where all students can thrive.

Moderated by Hadeer Maher from Synerjies Center for International & Strategic Studies, the second panel discussion “Funding Agencies – Supporting Inclusive Universities” focused on the role of funding agencies in supporting inclusive universities. Dina Mohsen from Amideast discussed the USAID-funded Disability Centers established across 27 Egyptian universities. “These centers are critical for providing the support and resources needed by students with disabilities,” she said. However, she highlighted the challenges of ensuring that these centers remain adequately funded and staffed.

Eng. Mohamed Sobhy from Bibliotheca Alexandrina shared insights into the special needs program established in 2002, which provides essential services for visually impaired students. “Our program focuses on promoting self-sufficiency, computer literacy, and language acquisition,” Sobhy explained. Despite the program’s success, he acknowledged the ongoing struggle to secure sufficient funding. “Unfortunately, financial shortfalls continue to hinder our operations, but we remain committed to supporting our students.”

Esraa Aboelnasr from Giza Systems discussed community-led initiatives to empower individuals with disabilities. “Our program is driven by mentors from within the community, ensuring that decisions are made by the individuals themselves,” she said, emphasising the importance of empathy and shared experiences in fostering innovation.

In a statement, Aya Magdi, a PhD candidate in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design and a participant in the workshop, stated, “The workshop content aligns perfectly with my research on inclusive design. Egypt needs flexible, internationally aligned laws to bridge gaps between national and international universities.”

Entitled “Inclusive University Campuses – Architecture and Urban Design,” the third panel discussion brought together architects and academics to explore the challenges and opportunities of designing inclusive university campuses. Prof. Dr Gesine Marquardt from TU Dresden shared her experience in transforming TU Dresden’s 150-year-old campus into a more accessible environment. “We have implemented a Campus Navigator app that allows users to report barriers and find accessible routes,” she explained. This technology, she said, is essential for overcoming the challenges posed by the campus’s hilly terrain and historic buildings.

Prof. Ahmed Faggal from Ain Shams University reflected on the university’s efforts to modernize its campus while preserving its historical value. “Our campus was originally designed as a palace, so retrofitting it to meet modern accessibility standards has been a complex process,” he said. However, he noted that recent renovations have focused on creating an environmentally friendly and accessible campus with ramps, escalators, and elevators.

Dr Mahmoud Desouki from Nile Higher Institute highlighted his institution’s efforts to achieve U.S. accreditation by addressing accessibility issues. “We developed a comprehensive action plan that included mobile ramps and accessible elevators,” he stated. “Our goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their physical abilities, have equal access to education.”

On the sidelines of the event, Dr Stefanie Dreiack  pointed out, “Egypt’s regulations on accessibility are very good, but future efforts should focus on increasing government funding for individuals with disabilities.” She added, “Integrating accessibility into older buildings is a very hard problem in both Egypt and Germany.”

The fourth panel discussion, titled “Universities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” moderated by Dr Yasser Mahgoub from Galala University, explored the role of universities in advancing the SDGs. Dr. Mohamed Alaa from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development stressed the importance of integrating sustainability into university curricula. “Sustainability is not just an academic topic; it is a responsibility that we must teach our students to carry into their future careers,” he said.

Dr Asmaa Nasr El Din from Cairo University emphasised the need for universities to address real-world sustainability challenges through research. “Our projects must directly connect with the communities we serve, particularly in areas like agriculture and climate change,” she stated.

Yarah Basyoni from Galala University shared her experience on working with local communities to address specific challenges. “Our students engage in hands-on experiments, applying their knowledge to solve problems like water scarcity and food security,” she explained. This approach, she argued, helps to foster a strong relationship between academia and the local community.

Entitled “University Managers and Admission Policies for Students with Disabilities,” the final panel discussion of the workshop focused on the role of university administrators in developing inclusive admission policies. Dr Rana Zeidan from Galala University shared her personal experience as the mother of an autistic son, now a third-year software engineering student. “Awareness was not what it is today, but we have come a long way in creating a more supportive environment for students with disabilities,” she said. Dr Zeidan emphasised the importance of peer support and integration, noting that “disabled students should never feel alone, yet always be integrated into the broader university community.”

Dr Cornelia Hähne, from TU Dresden, discussed the university’s approach to embedding inclusivity across all departments. “Inclusion is not just about accommodating one or two students with disabilities; it’s about creating a campus culture where everyone feels welcome and supported,” she explained. She also shared how TU Dresden developed a strategic plan to ensure that inclusivity is a core component of the university’s operations.

Dr Alexandra Gazis, from the American University in Cairo (AUC), discussed the challenges of ensuring that all students with disabilities have access to the resources they need. “While our new campus was designed to be barrier-free, we are continuously working to address the evolving needs of our students,” she said, stressing the importance of faculty training in recognizing and addressing educational challenges.

Moreover, Mostafa Elsayed, CEO of Men7ety Education Solutions, remarked, “We support over 300 universities globally and use AI to improve the admissions process for students with special needs. From applications to post-enrollment services, we guide them through every step.” Dr Cornelia Hähne, , expressed, “I’m so delighted that Galala University invited me to Egypt.” She highlighted the value of collaboration, noting, “I feel much more powerful after these two days due to the new ideas gained.” Dr Hähne suggested creating “a database of good practice” to help universities share and learn from each other’s best practices.

Additionally, Ayat Ismail, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, discussed human-centered design, saying, “Environmental psychology examines the relationship between humans and their environment.” She pointed out a challenge in Egypt, noting, “The problem is not the ramps, but that people are riding in front of the ramp,” highlighting the need for better regulatory awareness. Asmaa Nasr Eldin, Lecturer at Cairo University, stated, “Inclusive universities are crucial for sustainable development.” She pointed out challenges faced by students with disabilities, adding, “They had issues with their routine and writing,” and emphasised the need for more dialogue.

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Asst. Prof.. Mina Samaan and Prof. Dr Gesine Marquardt, who reiterated the importance of collaboration in achieving the workshop’s goals. “This is just the beginning of our journey toward creating more inclusive and sustainable universities,” Asst. Prof. Samaan remarked. He called for continued cooperation between Egyptian and German institutions, adding, “We must work together to ensure that inclusivity becomes the standard, not the exception, in higher education.” Prof. Dr. Marquardt echoed these sentiments, emphasising the role of universities in driving societal change. “Inclusive universities are not only about accessibility; they are about creating environments where everyone can thrive,” she explained.

The workshop served as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and building partnerships that will continue to drive inclusivity and sustainability in higher education. Participants expressed a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to transforming their institutions into more inclusive and equitable spaces for all.