Alexandria: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the new headquarters of Senghor University in New Borg El Arab City, Alexandria. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo, Burundi’s Foreign Minister €°douard Bizimana, and several African officials, along with politicians and academics from around the world.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Senghor University, located in Alexandria, serves as a unique academic institution that merges the African and Francophone spheres, promoting a model of higher education and international cooperation. Established by the International Organization of La Francophonie, the university is not just an educational institution but a strategic platform for preparing leaders to drive development across Africa through programs that integrate academic knowledge with practical applications.
The decision to locate the university in Alexandria is significant, given the city’s historical role as a cultural and scientific hub. The new headquarters’ inauguration included a meeting between Chairman of the Board Hany Helal and Executive Dean Thierry Verdier, who discussed the university’s development over 35 years. They highlighted the university’s success in educating students from Francophone African countries at its former Alexandria headquarters, which was temporarily provided by the Egyptian government.
The inauguration ceremony featured a documentary that reviewed the university’s history and its development over the years. The film emphasized Senghor University’s status as an international institution affiliated with the Francophonie organization and named after L©opold S©dar Senghor, a prominent African figure of the 20th century. It also highlighted contributions from international figures such as Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Maurice Druon, and Ren©-Jean Dupuy.
The documentary noted that the university has trained over 4,200 graduates from across Africa, many of whom now hold senior positions in various sectors. It included remarks from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who expressed pride in hosting Senghor University in Alexandria and supported the construction of a larger headquarters for the institution.