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MED-WET Partners Participate in Fundão Agricultural Innovation Fair, October 2024, Portugal

[:en] The MED-WET partners, including the team from Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, had the opportunity to showcase their excellent results at the Fundão Agricultural Innovation Fair, held during (9-13) October 2024 in Portugal. This event provided a wonderful platform to widely share the project’s advancements, exchange insights, and engage with various international stakeholders in the water, energy and agricultural sectors. During the fair, the HUSD team actively participated in a parallel conference, where they delivered in-depth presentations and speech covering the MED-WET’s goals, achievements, and importance in advancing sustainable water management for climate-resilient agriculture among the rural and desert communities. At the heart of their presence was the MED-WET stand, which attracted significant attention of the majority of participants. It served as a focal point for information dissemination, providing an interactive space where farmers, agricultural experts, policymakers, and researchers could learn more about the project’s innovative approaches to water conservation and irrigation technology in arid regions. The stand featured detailed explanations of the project’s outcomes, including key findings and 3-D prototypes of the three technologies “Constructed Wetlands in Sekem El-Wahat, Solar energy-driven desalination for greenhouse agriculture in Malta and the SLECI Irrigation technology in Portugal and Morocco”. This obviously proven the MED-WET’s success in realizing efficient water management practices that contributed to sustainable farming and addressed water scarcity challenges in the Mediterranean region. Overall, the Fundão Agricultural Innovation Fair was a highly productive experience for all participants. It allowed the MED-WET team to expand their network, raise awareness about the critical issue of water scarcity, and underscore the project’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the Mediterranean region. The fair highlighted the increasing importance of collaborative efforts in addressing water conservation and irrigation challenges in agriculture, reinforcing the relevance of the MED-WET initiative. [:]

Showcasing the Med-Wet Project: Partners Participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Cairo

[:en] One of the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development’s successful research projects called “MED-WET” is selected among the top successful and highest performing 20 EU–Prima projects worldwide this year 2024. An international conference and fair was conducted on 3 Oct., 2024 in Cairo organized by Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in association with the European Commission (EC) office in Cairo. In which, a team from HUSD and MED-WET’s partner countries from Malta and Germany presented the key results of the MED-WET project, including the successfully developed three technologies (Constructed Wetlands in Sekem El-Wahat, Solar energy-driven desalination for greenhouse agriculture in Malta and the SLECI Irrigation technology in Portugal and Morocco). That mega event allowed HUSD to showcase the innovative solution of the low-cost, low-energy and nature-based “Instream Constructed Wetland” model addressing water challenges and climate change in the Mediterranean. Such innovations aim to conserve water, improve irrigation efficiency and tackle water scarcity (climate-resilient agriculture). The marketplace offered meaningful exchanges with international partners. HUSD’s team discussed potential collaborations with stakeholders who are interested in new research projects, which will help further amplify the impact of the Med-Wet project. The conversations done with promising future partners underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and innovation in addressing complex environmental challenges, on the top of them “water scarcity and climate change”. [:]

[:en]Showcasing the Med-Wet Project: Partners Participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Cairo[:]

[:en] One of the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development’s successful research projects called “MED-WET” is selected among the top successful and highest performing 20 EU–Prima projects worldwide this year 2024. An international conference and fair was conducted on 3 Oct., 2024 in Cairo organized by Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in association with the European Commission (EC) office in Cairo. In which, a team from HUSD and MED-WET’s partner countries from Malta and Germany presented the key results of the MED-WET project, including the successfully developed three technologies (Constructed Wetlands in Sekem El-Wahat, Solar energy-driven desalination for greenhouse agriculture in Malta and the SLECI Irrigation technology in Portugal and Morocco). That mega event allowed HUSD to showcase the innovative solution of the low-cost, low-energy and nature-based “Instream Constructed Wetland” model addressing water challenges and climate change in the Mediterranean. Such innovations aim to conserve water, improve irrigation efficiency and tackle water scarcity (climate-resilient agriculture). The marketplace offered meaningful exchanges with international partners. HUSD’s team discussed potential collaborations with stakeholders who are interested in new research projects, which will help further amplify the impact of the Med-Wet project. The conversations done with promising future partners underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and innovation in addressing complex environmental challenges, on the top of them “water scarcity and climate change”. [:]

Medical Center

Heliopolis Medical Center is situated on the Heliopolis University campus within the Faculty of Physical Therapy. The center offers medical and dental services, physical therapy, nutritional guidance, health education, first aid, and BLS training. It caters to Heliopolis students, staff, and employees for emergency and dental services, while the physical therapy clinics are open to the general public as well. All units are well-equipped to handle both regular and emergency cases, with a fully equipped ambulance on standby for emergencies. In case of referrals, the center has a service agreement with a prominent hospital in the nearby Al-Obour district. Sekem Medical Center oversees the clinic’s supplies, ambulance services, and nursing staff. Additionally, all Heliopolis University students undergo a medical checkup upon admission, and their medical records are maintained at the center for future monitoring. Botanical Garden The Heliopolis Botanical Garden covers 4,000 square meters and follows a traditional rectangular design with a central water basin, reminiscent of ancient Egyptian Pharaonic Gardens. It includes distinct sections such as a medicinal plant garden, a spice and aromatic plant garden, a garden featuring useful plants, and a fruit tree garden. The water basin hosts various swamp and water plants like the Egyptian Indian Lotus and Papyrus. Situated within the six-hectare university campus, the garden also features ornamental shrubs and trees in its surroundings. Heliopolis Botanical Garden operates a plant seed bank primarily for cultivation and conservation reasons. The garden prioritizes the preservation of various rare and endangered Egyptian plant species such as Balanites aegyptiaca and Glossostemun bruguieri. Visitor Information Opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. Admission is free, and guided tours can be scheduled by contacting Dr. Saber Hendawy at 0127 911 1197. Information Technology The Information Technology Department at Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development offers technology resources to enhance learning for students, faculty, and staff. This supports teaching, research, creativity, and service in line with the university’s mission. Here’s a breakdown of the services provided: Learning Environments: Supports academic technology services like classroom systems and public computer lab support. Manages distribution of course equipment, facility design, maintenance, and media production services. Academic Applications and Service Centers: Provides online learning technologies, web content management, and IT training. Offers support for computing services, including accounts, email, security, and hardware. These services aim to enhance the learning experience and support the university community. Modern E-Learning Technologies that Spark Student Innovation and Creativity Accessible Online Resources: Teachers consistently upload course materials online for students to access at their convenience, from any location. Engaging Online Activities: Students engage in interactive learning experiences, such as participating in forums, submitting assignments, responding to quizzes, or collaborating on wikis, fostering a dynamic online learning environment.   Synchronous and Asynchronous Communications between Students and Teachers Mailing: Every student has his/her own email address to enhance communication with his colleagues and his teachers. Drive: Every student has his/her own online drive. Students can open, edit, manage and share their documents online with their colleagues Open and Online Messaging, Forums, Chat, VIP and Blogs. Online Services for (Student and Parents) Online Course Registration / Scheduling. Course Completion Tracking / Monitoring Attendance. Online Results. Online Tuition / Billing / Invoicing. Information Security safeguards data and IT assets against threats using technical solutions, education, and continuous assessments to reduce the impact on the institution’s goals. Core Infrastructure Services uphold the computing environment on campus, offering email, storage, remote access, printing, and server management to support academic requirements. The Networking team oversees data networks, internet connectivity, and IP management, ensuring network security and resolving issues. The University Library System enables access to information sources for education, research, and community engagement, aligning with the university’s strategic goals. FORM Are you ready to take the next step toward your future career? Application Form

Ecosystem Research Center

Ecosystem Research Center Heliopolis University’s Ecosystem Research Center, HU-ERC is dedicated to studying the sustainable development tools in regard to climate, water, plants & animals, and the possibility of community development for harsh desert environments. With SEKEM Vision to transform the desert by bringing life, and sustainably developing communities, to it through agricultural activities, HU-ERC plays a pivotal role in the success of currently developed ecosystems in the Oasis Development Project & 13 Villages Initiative. It is also responsible for studying the possibilities of creating new successful ecosystems both locally & globally. Vision To become the ecological hub that provides communities with the knowledge & training needed to bring sustainable communities to life in the desert. Mission Provide ecological knowledge, in terms of research, applied studies, consults & training, in the desert areas; which consequently help provide necessary conditions for ecosystems to develop in the desert, thus creating sustainable communities. Development Tracks SEKEM Vision Goals Ecology SVG 5: Biodynamic & organic agriculture SVG 6: Sustainable water management SVG 7: Renewable energies SVG 8: Rich & resilient biodiversity SVG 9: Active climate change mitigation UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 6: Clean water & sanitation SDG 7: Affordable clean energy SDG 11: Sustainable cities & communities SDG 13: Climate action SDG 14: Life below water SDG 15: Life on land SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals Services 1.Research & Applied Scientific Studies Through the collaboration of faculty of organic agriculture, HU-ERC explores plant growth and sustainable production in desert areas, thus enabling the development of communities surrounding agricultural activities. Through the management, monitoring & evaluation of field research in the Egyptian desert, HU-ERC establishes a database for natural resources that helps identify potential growth in desert areas. HU_ERC is also responsible for publishing & exchanging relevant research on non-traditional energy sources as well as the development of water resources and the rationalization of its consumption; consequently maintaining ecological balance & biodiversity in desert areas. Technical Consulting HU-ERC provides technical consultations that aim to cooperate with and transfer knowledge & experience to interested organizations, beneficiaries, as well as local & scientific societies. It also organizes workshops, seminars & conferences that discusses the development of desert areas in Egypt & MENA region, in terms of organic agriculture, water consumption as well as energy sources. Field Training HU-ERC facilitates the field training of interested parties, whether from HU or other organizations, in the ecological development of the currently developing communities in the desert, as well as the exploration of new communities. Community Awareness In collaboration with HU Carbon Footprint Center & Center for Organic Agriculture in Egypt, HU-ERC helps in raising awareness on the transition from traditional to organic agriculture, and the methods required for its development in desert areas. Services 1.Research & Applied Scientific Studies 2. Technical Consulting 3. Field Training 4. Community Awareness News Contact us Development Tracks SDG 1: No poverty SDG 8 : Decent work & economic growth SDG 9: Industry innovation & infrastructure SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals SVG 1: Lifelong learning & potential unfolding SVG 10 Circular economy SVG 12: ethical finance SVG 13: Responsible consumption & sustainable lifestyle SVG 14: Integral organizational development & Leadership SVG 16: Social transformation News & Events View All Contact Us [email protected]

Integrative Health Center

Integrative Health Center With SEKEM Group’s holistic view of human health to include the wellbeing of mind, body & soul, the Integrative Health Center-IHC of Heliopolis University works to raise awareness on this view across Egypt. IHC fosters multiple projects in collaboration with the Rural Development Development Center-RDC as well as the university to achieve its holistic health goals. HU community members served 0 SEKEM Group Employees served 0 families reached with the 13 Villages Community 0 women reached in rural areas 0 children reached in rural areas 0 Vision Create an integrative health system that is made accessible to Egypt’s families, while delivering tailored services to each family member, with inclusion of physical & mental health services. Mission Raise awareness on integrative health approaches & make integrative health services available & deliver it to rural areas to all individuals across Egypt. Development Tracks SEKEM Vision Goals SVG 1: Lifelong Learning & Potential Unfolding SVG 2: Holistic research SVG 3: Integrative health SVG 15: Equality & diversity SVG 16: Social Transformation UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3: Good health & wellbeing SDG 6: Clean water & sanitation SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth SDG10: Reduced inequalities SEKEM Medical Center Collaboration The first SEKEM Medical Center was established in 1996, to serve the families in the 13 Villages Initiative. While the medical center team caters for the patients’ physical health, HU-IHC provides integrative health services to the individuals in the community, catering to their holistic & mental wellbeing. On the other hand, HU Health Center, located inside the university, presents a collaboration between HU_IHC & SEKEM Medical Center; where the medical center staff are catering for the physical health & are offering the medical services, while HU-IHC team are offering the holistic health & wellbeing services to HU community, including students & staff members. The medical services include diagnosis, treatment as well as therapy services. EcoHealth Insurance Collaboration To achieve SEKEM’s Cultural Vision Goal of making integrative health available to all individuals, EcoHealth Insurance  was established. It is a medical insurance company, operating in Egypt, dedicated to offering integrative medical services and is powered by SEKEM Group. HU-IHC, EcoHealth along with SEKEM Medical Center started an initiative where medical checkups are conducted in order to implement integrative, holistic & preventive medicine in Egypt. While the medical center team is responsible for individuals’ medical check-up & services, HU-IHC team is responsible for integrative health screening, assessments and collecting patient lifestyle information in order to create a holistic health profile on each patient. Learn more about EcoHealth Apply for EcoHealth” targeted to SEKEM & HU communities Request EcoHealth Services for your company/employees Health on Wheels Initiative  The “Health on Wheels” initiative started in 2020 during COVID times, when people couldn’t leave their homes to seek medical services at the 13 Villages community, and it continues to provide its services till today. This service aims to both raise awareness on integrative health practices, as well as provide services to those who need it.  We have a vision of providing these services in rural areas across Egypt. The initiative supervised by IHC team & operated by SEKEM Medical Center team, tackles the overall wellbeing of individuals & provides art & movement therapy to them, while also catering for their medical needs at their home when needed. Get your company Involved as part of CSR Health Shuttle Initiative While Health on Wheels Initiative sends integrative health professionals to the patients’ homes, the Health Shuttle Initiative brings patients in need of medical care from th 13 Villages Initiative to the SEKEM Medical Center. The initiative is also in collaboration with Heliopolis University’s Rural Development Center, where Integrative Health Center team provide overall wellbeing services to patients, and SEKEM Medical Center team provide the medical care required. Get your company Involved as part of CSR Women’s Health Services  HU-IHC tackles women’s health by 2 initiatives in Cairo as well as the rural areas of Egypt. Our initiatives don’t only tackle women’s physical health, but also their overall wellbeing, raising awareness on self-care & mental health practices.  1.Women’s Health Project  In this project, the HU-IHC team works on training women in the rural areas to be able to coack other women in rural areas about their overall health as well as self-care practices. Targeted at the women of the 13 villages initiatives, the project aims to empower a select group of women to become Women Health Coaches who are able to deliver further coaching to women in the rural areas of Egypt. One coach will have an impact & reach up to 200 families. A Health Coach visits women at home, and gives attention to their physical and psychological condition. They transfer knowledge about building awareness of the menstrual cycle and menopause, and about simple means as well as natural remedies for their self-care. This includes therapeutic eurythmy movement and treatment, the use of herbs, Art therapy and other methods of integrative health care. Empower Women in Rural Areas as part of CSR 2.Women Health Forum The Women Health forum is a quarterly event that takes place at Heliopolis University, which aims at raising women’s awareness on integrative health approaches, by providing fun & engaging activities and talks to help them connect with themselves on mental & spiritual levels. Previous Women Health Forums Apply to Join the next Forum’s Activities Get your tickets to the upcoming Women Health Forum Children Health Project The Children Health Project aims to provide integrative health services to children across the rural areas of Egypt & thus started with the 13 Villages Initiative children & is working to expand its services much further. The project also aims to help parents care for the integrative health of their children in a holistic manner by: – Providing health checkups to the children in SEKEM School & kindergartens located within SEKEM Group. – Providing workshops for children that tackle multiple holistic health topics, such as personal hygiene & nutrition. – Providing workshops for parents that

[:en]Announcement: Heliopolis University Low Carbon Energy Report Released![:]

[:en]Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development is proud to announce the release of our latest report on Low Carbon Energy Usage across campus! This report highlights our commitment to a greener future by measuring the amount of low-carbon energy utilized in our operations. Through this analysis, we’re taking bold steps toward sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. Key Highlights: A detailed breakdown of renewable energy sources powering our campus Insights on energy efficiency improvements across our facilities Actionable goals for expanding clean energy use in the coming years Together, we’re paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this report possible! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working towards a 100% low-carbon campus! #HeliopolisUniversity #SustainableFuture #LowCarbonEnergy #CleanEnergy See the report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/122aDtID_M3wxZSzZnKuzx-VcHolUbxh5/view?usp=sharing[:]

[:en]Heliopolis University Connects Solar Power Panels to North Cairo Electricity Grid[:]

[:en]Heliopolis University is pleased to announce the official connection of its solar power panels to the North Cairo Electricity Company, scheduled to go live on December 6, 2023. This milestone represents a significant step in the university’s commitment to sustainable energy and environmental responsibility. The solar power initiative at Heliopolis University aligns with the institution’s vision to minimize its carbon footprint and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources. By connecting to the North Cairo Electricity grid, the university will contribute clean, renewable energy to the local community, supporting both energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Heliopolis University has been actively implementing sustainable practices across its campus, and this solar power connection is the latest in a series of green initiatives. The university’s solar panels are expected to supply a substantial portion of its energy needs, creating an eco-friendly campus environment that serves as a model for other educational institutions in Egypt and beyond. See the agreement here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pRqezY7hmjR6hUiXwtoNb5vA6Ch7etj7/view[:]

[:en]Heliopolis University Releases Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards Report[:]

[:en]Heliopolis University is pleased to announce the release of its Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards Report, a key document outlining our commitment to responsible water management and environmental sustainability. This report establishes clear guidelines for the treatment and discharge of water on campus, ensuring that our practices align with environmental standards and support local ecosystem health. The Water Discharge Guidelines focus on minimizing pollutants, conserving water, and implementing eco-friendly discharge processes. By adhering to these standards, HU aims to reduce its environmental footprint, safeguard water quality, and promote sustainable campus operations. The report includes measures for monitoring water quality, reducing chemical use, and optimizing wastewater treatment practices to prevent contamination of surrounding natural resources. Heliopolis University encourages all students, staff, and stakeholders to familiarize themselves with these guidelines and support our water sustainability initiatives. Together, we can contribute to preserving water resources and promoting a sustainable future. For more information, please review the Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards Report available on our website. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NjCU9b4Aj4ZPfEdRPQwq3PjPYk8J98Jt/view?usp=drive_link[:]

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