A Distinguished Success Toward Its Declaration as a “Health Promoting University”

Alamein International University has concluded the evaluation visit of the World Health Organization delegation, marking a historic milestone as the first university in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the African continent to reach this advanced stage.

Under the patronage of Professor Dr. Essam Elkordi, President of Alamein International University, and Professor Dr. Hesham Gaber, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and in a pioneering step that places Egyptian higher education on the global health map, Alamein International University today concluded the activities of the World Health Organization (WHO) evaluation visit, held over two days on 21 and 22 January. This visit crowned a journey that has spanned several years and finalized the steps toward obtaining the title of the first “Health Promoting University” in Egypt and Africa.

The university welcomed the high level international delegation at the final stage of the designation process, namely the final evaluation. The delegation comprised distinguished experts from the WHO Regional Office and the country office in Egypt, as follows:

• Professor Dr. Samar Elfeky, Head of the Delegation.

• Professor Dr. Sadhana Bhagwat.

• Professor Dr. Randa AboElNaga.

• Professor Dr. Heba Aboubakr.

The visit featured extensive meetings with university leadership, faculty members, students, and community partners, in addition to field tours covering academic, medical, and service facilities. During these engagements, the university presented its integrated model for health promotion through governance, student empowerment, community partnerships, environmental sustainability, research and innovation, and the provision of a campus environment that supports health and wellbeing.

The delegation reviewed on the ground the outcomes of efforts launched since early 2023, evaluating the university’s performance across 100 criteria under six main indicators, namely general indicators, campus environment indicators, indicators related to promoting healthy lifestyles, indicators related to health promotion and wellbeing, indicators related to emergency preparedness and response, and indicators related to community engagement and sustainability.

The delegation expressed strong appreciation for transforming the campus into a comprehensive healthy environment, highlighting the following achievements:

• A dynamic and active community, where physical activity has become part of daily life, supported by a smart campus design that encourages walking, stair use, and the availability of a fully equipped running track.

• A clean and sustainable environment, with commendation for the strict implementation of a smoke free campus policy and the advanced environmental awareness reflected in waste segregation and air quality management.

• Nutrition that builds minds, through the commitment of campus outlets to offering healthy options rich in fruits and vegetables, reinforcing the belief that a sound mind resides in a sound body.

• People first, demonstrated by the university’s excellence in mental health support through a strong support network and digital follow up programs that safeguard student wellbeing.

• Innovation in the service of humanity, by linking creative minds to health needs through student patents and medical convoys that carry the university’s message to the wider community.

• Protection and prevention, via a proactive medical system that delivers care and promotes digital health awareness, prioritizing prevention before treatment.

With this distinguished conclusion, Alamein International University is not merely seeking certification from the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, but is establishing a sustainable legacy and an inspiring model through which it will transfer its expertise and unique experience to serve the Egyptian and regional community, in collaboration with its partners in success.

This global achievement would not have been realized without a clear vision and dedicated efforts by a team that believed in the idea and worked relentlessly to turn it into reality. The university administration extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to this distinguished accomplishment, with special recognition to:

• Professor Dr. Fahmy charl, Advisor to the University President, for his unlimited support and wise vision that served as a guiding compass throughout all stages of the project and helped overcome every challenge.

• Dr. Mohamed Ezzat Amin, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Coordinator of the Health Promoting University Initiative, and the driving force of the project, who led the team with professionalism and dedication and meticulously supervised the finest technical and organizational details to reach this global standard.

• Dr. Ibrahim El Naggar, Secretary General of the University, for his pivotal role in managing the organizational framework, overcoming logistical and administrative challenges, and mobilizing university resources to ensure the visit was delivered in a manner befitting the stature of Alamein International University.

• The champions of the accreditation file preparation committee for the Health Promoting University designation, Professor Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Kamel, Dr. Mohamed El Helwany, Dr. Amr Mamdouh, Dr. Loay Hosny Ragab, Engineer Mohamed Adel Qabbari, and Mr. Ahmed Samir Abdelhady, who worked as one team and exerted exceptional efforts to fulfill all standards and indicators.

• The coordinators of health promotion activities across colleges and programs, Dr. Nefertiti El Nekhaily (Sciences), Dr. Reda El Azab (Business), Dr. Soha Sami (Arts), Dr. Lamis Darwish (Engineering), Dr. Essam Abdel Latif (Computer Science and Engineering), Dr. Aya Khalil (Physical Therapy), and Dr. Sameh Shehata (Public Health).

• The entire Alamein International University community, including deans, program directors, faculty members, teaching assistants, administrative staff, and all university employees.

• Our creative students, in whom we take great pride and whose innovative ideas continue to inspire us.