The Knowledge Hub Universities welcomed Dr. Salwa Rashad, Secretary General of the Council of Foreign University Branches, during her visit to the Coventry University (UK) and NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal) branches on campus.
The visit was attended by Dr. Mahmoud El-Meteini, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Shahira Moussa, Vice President and Acting President of The Knowledge Hub Universities; Dr. Ibtisam Farid, Acting Head of the Coventry University branch; Dr. Francisco Carmelo, Head of the NOVA University Lisbon branch; in addition to a number of program directors and faculty members.
During her tour of the Coventry University branch, Dr. Rashad visited academic buildings housing lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, training workshops, and administrative offices. The tour included the engineering laboratories, digital fabrication lab, media center, physiotherapy lab, lecture halls, gymnasium, and student dining facilities.
Dr. Rashad met with students enrolled in a training program and emphasized the importance of practical training in developing students’ skills and preparing them to meet labor market demands. She also commended the strong presence of faculty members and teaching assistants on campus, noting their commitment to delivering lectures and training programs in line with the academic schedule since the beginning of the academic year.
The Secretary General reviewed the academic and training programs offered at the Coventry University branch, highlighting their alignment with current and future job market requirements and their consistency with the objectives of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research.
As part of the same visit, Dr. Rashad toured the NOVA University Lisbon branch, where she reviewed academic facilities, laboratories, training workshops, faculty offices, and sports and recreational spaces available to students. She expressed her satisfaction with the smooth and successful operation of the educational process and emphasized the importance of further enhancing training opportunities to equip students with practical and professional skills.
Dr. Rashad also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and collaboration between branches of foreign universities, describing it as a key objective of the Council of Foreign University Branches. She noted that such collaboration plays a vital role in developing students’ integrated and diverse skill sets. In addition, she highlighted the importance of continuing sports, cultural, social, and artistic activities, as well as supporting talented students, to foster a sense of belonging and enrich the overall student experience.
The Coventry University branch at The Knowledge Hub Universities offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in engineering, computing, design and media, business administration, psychology, and physiotherapy. The NOVA University Lisbon branch offers innovative programs in industrial and environmental engineering, management, information management, and risk management, and represents the first international branch campus of a Portuguese university outside Portugal.
