In early November, an Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) delegation visited the Knowledge Hub Universities (Coventry University Egypt Branch) (TKH) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for an Academic Professional Partnership.

In what was IHE's first visit to North Africa, and we believe the first highways or civil engineering Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) to visit Egypt, president Katharine Kelly, chief executive Lyle Andrew and council member Dr Shervin Motamedi, visited the University campus to sign the MOU and importantly, meet with their civil engineering students.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Shahira Samir, acting president of TKH; Professor Sayed Ismail, deputy minister of housing; Dr Mohamed Elfaham, from the Engineers Syndicate; Dr Mohamed Elshafey, head of the School of Engineering at the Coventry University branch in Egypt and Dr Ramy Shaltout, regional TNE manager at Coventry University.

Dr Mohamed Elshafey PhD PEng FHEA, said: ‘TKH is delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE). This marks a significant step in empowering our Civil Engineering students with professional recognition, industry engagement, and pathways to excellence in highways and transportation engineering across Egypt and beyond.'

The IHE guests also accompanied TKH to meet with senior members of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate in Cairo to further the collaboration within the engineering community. The syndicate professionally registers engineers much the same way at our own Engineering Council in UK.

The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between Coventry University, TKH, and IHE, establish professional development pathways for engineers, and enhance regional engagement in engineering knowledge transfer.

On the final day of the trip, the IHE team visited the Great Pyramids at Giza, The Sphinx and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, accompanied by Dr Elshafey and Dr Omar Elhosseiny Elnady.

Following the five-day visit, president Katharine Kelly said: ‘The energy and optimism for our industry shown by everyone we met was infectious and, set against the magnificent backdrop of the pyramids, with live projects on the go wherever we looked. We extend sincere thanks to Dr Ramy Shaltout, and Dr Mohamed Elshafey, Ph.D., P.Eng., FHEA and for their incredibly generous hospitality and ensuring our trip was full.'

Dr Motamedi said: ‘Egypt is shaping world-class transport infrastructure, while standing proudly on the shoulders of one of humanity's greatest engineering civilisations. To witness modern innovation rising beside the timeless mastery of the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum was both humbling and inspiring. A powerful reminder that engineering at its best not only moves people, it moves history forward.'