Cairo, Egypt – 12 May 2026 – NOVA University Lisbon — Cairo Branch, hosted by The Knowledge Hub Universities (TKH), successfully held the inaugural “NOVA Expo 2026” under the theme “Build with NOVA, Sustain the Future,” bringing together academic leaders, diplomats, industry experts, innovators, faculty members, and students in a multidisciplinary celebration of experiential, project-based, and community-centered education.
The Expo marked a significant institutional milestone as it celebrated the graduation of the first cohort to complete their full academic journey under NOVA’s academic framework in Cairo. The event reflected NOVA University Lisbon’s educational philosophy, which emphasizes innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical engagement, and meaningful connection between academic learning and real societal challenges.
Throughout the day, attendees explored student-led projects, research-informed presentations, technological prototypes, sustainability-centered initiatives, and interdisciplinary capstone projects emerging from spaces of experimentation, inquiry, field engagement, and socially conscious innovation. Among the featured presentations were projects addressing sustainable operations, healthcare innovation, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, data-driven solutions, digital transformation, and socially responsive technological applications.
Students from Environmental and Industrial Engineering, Management, and Information Management presented projects that reflected real-world problem solving, operational feasibility, and community-centered innovation through practical and research-informed approaches.
NOVA Expo 2026 welcomed a distinguished group of guests and institutional figures, including Prof. Shahira Samir, Acting President of The Knowledge Hub Universities; Mr. Mohamed Shawky, CEO of Elsewedy Education; Ms. Amina Elsewedy, Head of Company Affairs; and Dr. Vasco Costa, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Portugal in Egypt, whose presence reflected the significance of the growing academic, cultural, industrial, and diplomatic ties between Portugal and Egypt through higher education, innovation, and international collaboration.
The event additionally featured two high-level panel discussions addressing pressing contemporary themes surrounding sustainability, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, ethics, and resilient professional practice.
The first panel, “Sustainable Operations and Green Supply Chains — Driving Resilient Business Performance in Egypt and Beyond,” brought together leading figures, including Prof. Hafez El Ghandour, President of the Commercial Syndicate; Prof. Ghada Amer, Artificial Intelligence Expert at the Cabinet’s Decision Support Center; Eng. Mohamed Mohey from El Sewedy Industries; and Dr. Mostafa Kamel from Egypt University of Informatics.
The second panel, “Data, Innovation, and Society — Shaping the Future with NOVA-IMS,” explored the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, governance, ethics, creativity, and society. Distinguished panelists included Prof. Sherine Mohamed Moharram, President of the Electronics Research Institute; Prof. Nevine Makram Labib, Chair of the AI Governance and Telehealth Working Group; Prof. Ahmed Hosny Radwan, Founding Dean of Arts & Design at Elsewedy University of Technology; Mr. Mohamed Osama Grida, CEO of 2B Egypt; and Eng. Tamer ElSherif, Global IT Director at Si-Ware Systems.
Reflecting on the significance of the Expo, Prof. Francisco Caramelo, NOVA Cairo Branch Director and Full Professor at NOVA University Lisbon, stated:
“NOVA Expo 2026 reflects a model of education grounded in innovation, sustainability, and experiential learning, where students are challenged to engage critically with real-world industrial and societal complexities.”
Dr. Vasco Costa additionally emphasized the diplomatic and international significance of the event, noting:
“NOVA Expo 2026 stands as a meaningful example of how academic collaboration, technological innovation, and cross-cultural dialogue can collectively contribute to shaping more sustainable and future-oriented societies.”
The Expo concluded with project spotlight presentations and a Graduate Recognition Ceremony honoring the resilience, creativity, and achievements of NOVA Cairo’s graduating cohort.
As the first edition of the Expo, the event established a strong platform for showcasing interdisciplinary innovation, applied learning, and future-focused collaboration, while reinforcing NOVA Cairo’s broader commitment to shaping graduates capable of thinking critically, innovating responsibly, and contributing meaningfully to both local and global communities.
