Today, September 10, 2026, the British University in Egypt opened the African Scientific Conference on University Sports 'Cairo 2026' on its premises. This is one of the many roles the university plays within the framework of the 12th African University Games.
The conference was held under the patronage of His Excellency Professor Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as Acting Minister of Culture. The event opening was performed by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohamed Lotfy MBE and His Excellency Professor Ashraf Sobhi, President of the Federation of African University Sports (FASU) and former Minister of Youth and Sports.
Mr. Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), along with university leaders, academics, and representatives of university sports organizations from across the African continent, participated in the opening ceremony.
Conference Content
The conference presented 130 research papers dedicated to the future of university sports. Topics covered healthy campus environments, management, disability issues, the anti-doping movement, sports marketing, artificial intelligence and esports, talent identification, and sport as a tool for peace and sustainable development.
Professor Lotfy emphasized that hosting this conference reflects the British University in Egypt's view that the functions of a university extend beyond its campus. He noted that sports and scientific research can unite to create stronger institutions beneficial to their communities. Furthermore, he announced that the University is the headquarters of the Federation of African University Sports and the exclusive academic partner of FISU across Africa and the Arab region, linking research with practice and strategic planning in university sports.
Significance of University Sports
His Excellency Professor Ashraf Sobhi stated that university sports serve as one of the main channels for uniting youth across Africa. He added that holding the conference concurrently with 'Cairo 2026' promotes knowledge exchange and cooperation among African students.
The University performs numerous functions during the Games. As the host of the FASU headquarters, it provides its campuses for housing university presidents, senior executives, and delegations from all over Africa, ensuring them all necessary organizational resources and infrastructure.
Two weeks before the start of the Games, the British University in Egypt campus hosted the torch relay ceremony for the 12th African University Games, which gathered leaders and student athletes before the competition began. During the Games, the institution also organizes a seminar on the development of university sports and a Forum of African University Vice-Presidents titled 'University Sports as a Catalyst for Institutional Excellence and African Development.'
The University clarified that its participation in 'Cairo 2026' goes beyond merely hosting events; it includes supporting participating delegations and institutions, confirming its status as a center for academic and sporting interaction between Egypt and African nations.
History and Achievements
The British University in Egypt was established in 2004 following a 1998 Memorandum of Cooperation between the governments of Egypt and the United Kingdom, and is the leading private British university in Egypt. It is known for its high standard of education, robust academic governance, and exceptional graduate employment rates. It is one of the few Egyptian higher education institutions offering 'dual degrees,' where students receive bachelor's and master's degrees accredited by the Supreme Council of Universities of Egypt and one of its British partners—the University of Manchester Metropolitan, London South Bank University, and Queen Mary University.
The University is the first QAA-accredited institution in Egypt and North Africa, demonstrating compliance with 10 European standards and quality assurance guidelines. It is also a signatory of the Magnetic Charter of Universities, which supports the principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, service to society, preservation of humanity and sustainability, and the promotion of prosperity and enlightenment worldwide.
With 13 faculties and a student body exceeding 13,000 people, the British University in Egypt is renowned for its 'learning by doing' approach, commitment to regional and global sustainable development goals, and unparalleled student life experience.