University of Cairo returns to Sudanese capital
Aug 15, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The foundation stone for the branch of the University of Cairo in Khartoum was inaugurated Tuesday at Moqran quarter in Khartoum. The National Islamic Front closed the university earlier in the nineties.
The Minister of International Cooperation, Al-Tgani Salih Fedail, addressed a ceremony on this occasion appreciating the role of the Sudanese and Egyptian leaderships for establishment of the branch of the University of Cairo in Khartoum and the branch of the University of Alexandria in Juba city in south Sudan. He said that the establishment of the two universities will boost the joint work between Sudan and Egypt and support the scientific activity in Sudan.
The Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, Dr. Fayeza Abul-Naja, said that the establishment of a branch of the University of Cairo in Khartoum is incarnation to the fraternal ties and the longstanding cooperation between the Sudanese and Egyptian.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education, Peter Neyot, also addressed the ceremony for laying down the foundation stone describing the relations between Sudan and Egypt as eternal, distinguished and witnessing more cooperation in all domains, especially in the higher education field.
He said that the establishment of the branch of the University of Cairo in Khartoum reflects the aspiration of the two sister nations for more consolidation to the bilateral relations.
The Chairman of the University of Cairo, Ali Abdelrahman, said that around 45,000 students have been graduated at the branch of the University of Cairo in Khartoum, which was established in 1955. He said that the University of Cairo will provide its branch in Khartoum with its best lecturers and education means.
After the 30 June 1989 coup d’Etat of the National Islamic Front, the relations between Sudan and Egypt were deteriorated because the NIF harboured the Islamist Egyptian armed opposition. President al-Bashir at that time had closed the University of Cairo in Khartoum and confiscated Egypt properties in Sudan.
(ST)