Cairo University’s Faculty of Mass Communication held the third edition of its annual Cultural Forum on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The event was organized under the patronage of Professor Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University, and Professor Dr. Souraya Ahmed El-Badaoui, Dean of the Faculty, with coordination led by Professor Dr. Bassant Mourad, Professor of Radio and Television.

The forum stands as one of the faculty’s most prominent events celebrating cultural diversity and fostering intercultural dialogue. Organized in collaboration with various embassies and cultural attachés accredited in Egypt, the forum aims to integrate international students into university life and strengthen their sense of belonging to their “second home,” Egypt. It also provides an open platform for students to showcase their authentic cultures and heritage.

Professor Dr. Souraya El-Badaoui highlighted that this year’s edition featured participation from 14 countries across the Arab world, Africa, Asia, and Europe, including Palestine, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Mauritania, Greece, China, India, and Egypt. The host country offered a vibrant display of its ancient heritage and cultural identity through traditional crafts such as oud-making, arabesque woodwork, kheyameya textiles, and copperware.

Dr. El-Badaoui emphasized that the forum serves as a unique opportunity to promote the values of tolerance, diversity, and mutual understanding. It supports cultural and intellectual exchange while allowing the Egyptian community to engage closely with various global cultural identities.

Each participating country was allocated a dedicated pavilion to exhibit key elements of its culture, including heritage, traditional dress, cuisine, and folk arts. The event featured dynamic and interactive performances, enriching the cultural experience for both students and visitors.

Professor Dr. Bassant Mourad, the forum coordinator, noted that this year’s edition witnessed remarkable momentum, with enthusiastic participation from student delegations and vibrant cultural displays. Highlights included the Dabke dance from the Levant, the Egyptian Tanoura performance, Sudanese wedding ceremonies, and artistic showcases from North, East, and South Sudan, in addition to traditional Chinese Wushu and colorful Indian dances.

Dr. Mourad concluded by affirming the forum’s growing significance as one of the faculty’s flagship annual events. It stands as a leading platform for intercultural communication, offering students a space to express their cultural identities in front of a diverse audience that includes officials and visitors. The forum, she noted, reflects Egypt’s soft power on both academic and cultural fronts.