Prof. Sherif Saleh, President of Port Said University, inaugurated the “First Peoples’ Forum and Beacon of Cultures,” held for the first time at the university in a vibrant festive atmosphere reflecting the richness and diversity of cultures represented within the university community.
The forum was organized under the auspice and attendance of the University President and under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Shafei, General Supervisor of Student Affairs, with broad participation from international students who chose Port Said University for its distinguished academic reputation and supportive educational environment.
During the event, Prof. Sherif Saleh, accompanied by distinguished guests including Mr. Assem Hassan, Cultural Attaché of the Sudanese Embassy, toured the pavilions representing Sudan, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and India. Students proudly showcased their countries’ heritage, traditions, traditional attire, cuisine, and cultural identity, highlighting the spirit of unity and intercultural dialogue.
The celebration featured a variety of artistic and cultural performances, including Jordanian Dabke, a poetry recital and presentation about Palestine, traditional Indian dances, and folkloric performances by Syrian and Sudanese students. Egyptian students concluded the performances with songs, theatrical presentations, and a special video titled “A Tale of the Nile.”
In his remarks, the representative of the international students expressed deep appreciation to the university administration, emphasizing that Port Said University has become a second home for international students through its continuous support and inclusive academic environment.
The forum concluded with a collective performance by students of different nationalities, alongside a patriotic poetry recital by Lamis Islam, a student at the Faculty of Law, reflecting the university’s mission of promoting tolerance, coexistence, and cultural understanding.
The event was attended by the university’s vice presidents, deans, faculty members, and students. Prof. Dr. Sherif Saleh also extended his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the forum, including Dr. Amal Hal, master of ceremonies; Captain Mohamed El-Maliki, producer and director of the event; Prof. Dr. Mohamed Omar, choreographer; Dr. Walid Anani, choir director; Prof. Dr. Tarek Ghandour; Dr. Saeed Barghout; Ms. Sarah Galal, Director of Cultural and Artistic Activities; and student Rama Dia from Jordan.
In his closing remarks, the University President affirmed that Port Said University considers international students an integral part of its community, stressing that cultural diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and mutual understanding that helps build bridges of friendship among nations.
