Dr. Hassan Al-Numani, President of Sohag University, participated in the events of Cairo Water Week 2025, held in celebration of 50 years of Egyptian-Dutch relations. The event took place under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in the presence of Dr. Hani Sweilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Mr. Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Cairo; Ms. Tilly Smith, representative of the Dutch government; along with a number of ministers, ambassadors, and international experts in the fields of water, environment, and sustainable development.
Dr. Al-Numani emphasized that Sohag University seeks to be an active partner in supporting the state’s efforts in this vital field through scientific research and by preparing qualified graduates capable of leading the future in water resource management.
He added that, on the sidelines of the celebration, Sohag University signed a cooperation agreement with the Dutch organization Wavemaker United, affiliated with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to collaborate on the Youth Water Program: The Egyptian-Dutch Young Champions Challenge 2025. The program focuses on water, food, energy, climate technology, and promoting joint innovation. Dr. Al-Numani explained that the challenge was officially launched and will continue until Cairo Water Week 2026, culminating in a joint youth solutions showcase in the summer of 2026. This initiative will lay the foundation for a long-term youth cooperation platform between Egypt and the Netherlands, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and global youth engagement in water and climate solutions.
Dr. Al-Numani also announced the start of partnerships with local communities and Egyptian universities to support projects related to water, irrigation, agriculture, and sustainable development. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Dutch government—represented by Ms. Tilly Smith—and the Egyptian government—represented by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Hani Sweilam—to launch the Wavemakers Project in collaboration with local partners, aiming to raise awareness about water issues.