Benha University President Highlights Role in Promoting Human Rights Culture

Prof. Nasser El-Gizawy, President of Benha University, presented yesterday the university's experience in supporting and promoting human rights culture during a meeting of the Human Rights Committee in the House of Representatives, chaired by MP Tarek Abdel Hamid Radwan, with the participation of several university presidents and committee members.
Prof. El-Gizawy affirmed that Benha University is not limited to being an educational institution, but is an active partner in spreading human rights culture within Egyptian society—through education, healthcare, community initiatives, and student activities. He stressed that this role reflects the university's commitment to being a leading model in fostering values of citizenship and democracy, aligned with Egypt's vision to strengthen human rights.
He added that the university plays a prominent role in raising awareness among students and the community by organizing seminars, training courses, awareness activities, and launching annual awards to entrench citizenship and democracy values, linking them to Egypt's National Human Rights Strategy.
Prof. El-Gizawy highlighted several initiatives, including seminars such as “Human Rights on Campus” and “Human Rights: Challenges and Achievements”, attended by university leaders, faculty, administrators, students, MPs, and experts. These events aim to enhance student awareness of human rights, clarify the state's role in upholding these principles, and emphasize that respect and protection of human rights are the foundation of national belonging—instilling democratic and civic values in students as future leaders.
He also showcased the university's efforts to support the National Human Rights Strategy through academic and community activities, linking presidential initiatives such as “Decent Life” and “A New Beginning for Building the Human Being” with university programs. These efforts include establishing psychological and social support offices in faculties, creating a Human Rights Unit alongside units such as the Anti-Violence Against Women Unit, offering training and awareness programs, and organizing student visits to national projects to connect state efforts with human rights. The university also launched an annual award—the Benha University Human Rights Award—granted each October.
Prof. El-Gizawy further explained that the university encourages research and academic studies on human rights, supporting theses and dissertations that connect human rights with sustainable development—such as the right to education, health, and environment. The university coordinates with the National Council for Human Rights and governmental bodies to implement joint programs and participates in international and regional conferences, enhancing knowledge exchange and positioning the university as an influential academic actor.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of student and community activities in this field, supporting student unions and scientific associations to organize human rights-related initiatives, engaging students in community projects serving vulnerable groups, and offering training programs for faculty and students on human rights protection mechanisms and community leadership skills. These efforts aim to prepare young leaders capable of spreading human rights culture in local society.