Sustainable AASTMT

Knowledge Exchange

Community Outreach and Engagement

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Country: Egypt  |  Web: www.aast.edu

AASTMT actively offers, manages and delivers a wide range of outreach programs for local, regional and international communities. These programs span education and literacy, health and wellbeing, environmental awareness, innovation, cultural engagement, and social inclusion. Delivered through its colleges, student organizations, and external partnerships, AASTMT's outreach work directly advances the UN SDGs.

The examples below are drawn from the current and most recent academic years across multiple AASTMT colleges across its different campuses in Egypt.

Abbreviations for colleges and departments in this report:

the College of Pharmacy (Main Campus and Alamein Branch), the College of Language and Communication (CLC), the College of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology (CFAT), the College of International Transport and Logistics (CITL), and the College of Management and Technology (CMT).

Refugee and Community English Literacy

CLC students and faculty volunteered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to teach English to various age groups of refugees and youth at UNHCR headquarters over multiple cycles (August-September 2023, August-September 2024, and July 2025). The same volunteers also delivered specialized training courses in advertising, social media management, and creative content production to empower refugees with professional digital skills.

School and Youth Outreach

The CMT Political Science Department delivered introductory sessions on Political Science and Sustainability to school students over a two-year engagement period, reaching 85 participants. CFAT's College of Fisheries ran the Uni-Green Project targeting climate literacy among youth and low-carbon school practices and delivered the 'By Fisher to Fisher' training, a peer education program for fishing communities.

Coding, AI and STEM Education

Through the AASTMT Entrepreneurship Center and partnerships with national bodies, AASTMT delivered STEM and computational thinking programs on a scale. The Beaver Challenge Egypt program trained over 85,000 students in computational thinking. ICPC/ECPC national programming competitions engaged participants from 96 or more institutions. AI 101 and Arduino for Schools workshops introduced school students to AI, IoT, and microcontroller fundamentals.

Pharmacy Summer Schools and Scientific Engagement

The College of Pharmacy ran its third consecutive Summer School for Alexandria school students, featuring hands-on DNA extraction experiments and cardiovascular simulation tools, designed to promote early scientific engagement. A total of 55 participants attended the 5-day programme. Separately, the college organized the Career Orientation Day: Professional Path to Germany workshop, reaching 60 students and graduates with insights on the international pharmaceutical job market.

Quality Education and Accreditation Awareness

Both CLC and CITL Alamein Branch participated in the national 'New Beginning Initiative for Ensuring Quality Education', organized by the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE), empowering students to understand and contribute to quality assurance in higher education (SDG 4).

 

International Logistics and Supply Chain Education

CITL Alamein organized the 4th International Logistics Camp on the theme 'Artificial Intelligence in Logistics' in September 2024, attracting over 160 participants and 21 international and industry experts. Topics included digital supply chain transformation, smart logistics, green logistics practices, and AI-driven decision making. The campus also hosted an international academic seminar titled 'Digitalization of Supply Chain: From Strategy to Execution', featuring professors from universities in Romania, France, Slovenia, and Dubai.

 

Medical Convoys for Rural and Underserved Communities

The College of Pharmacy, Alamein Branch, in cooperation with the AlMowasat Hospital Patients Care Association and the AASTMT Student Affairs Deanship, organized a health convoy in the Ezbet ElHamara area of Kafr ElDawar. The convoy examined more than 850 patients across multiple medical specialties, conducted over 180 medical tests, and dispensed more than 800 free medication prescriptions, involving 15 staff and students over one day.

AASTMT's broader medical convoy programme (organized in partnership with the Alexandria Health Directorate) reaches rural clinics in locations including Marsa Matrouh, Al-Amiriya, and Al-Galaa, running 20 or more times per year.

Mental Health Awareness

CLC organized two on-campus wellbeing events in partnership with health professionals. The first hosted Dr. Jaidaa Mekky, Professor of Neurology at Alexandria University, for a talk on mental health, depression management, and sleep disorders. The second featured certified mindfulness coach Ms. Cariene Abdel Aziz, who delivered practical tools for stress management and emotional resilience. Both events directly align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

CLC also organized a seminar titled 'Mind Matters: Boosting Well-being with Mindfulness Techniques' delivered by a life coach, and a First Aid Awareness Training session run in collaboration with the Egyptian Red Crescent, where students delivered presentations on emergency situations and poisoning response.

Cancer and Chronic Disease Awareness

CLC participated in an awareness campaign on early breast cancer detection, in collaboration with Baheya Hospital. AASTMT's 100 Days of Health campaign addressed breast cancer, diabetes, and hypertension awareness in public spaces. EPSF-AAST student campaigns organized blood donation drives, plasma awareness, and chronic illness education events.

Hospital and Care Facility Visits

CLC students and faculty visited Al-Maamoura Mental Health Hospital on World Mental Health Day to conduct recreational activities and deliver awareness lectures. Students also visited Alexandria University Students Hospital distributing plants and flowers to children, incorporating environmental awareness messaging. Smouha University Hospital and Al-Shatby University Children's Hospital received student volunteers distributing iftar meals to patients' families during Ramadan.

 

Beach Cleanup Campaigns

CLC students participated in multiple beach cleanup campaigns in collaboration with Banlastic Egypt, an organization dedicated to combating plastic pollution. Campaigns took place at Abu Qir Beach (October 2024), El-Silsila Beach (June 2024), and El-Maadiya Beach (August 2024). Students engaged directly with beach visitors to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic waste on marine life.

CFAT students led the Abu-Qir Bay Beach Cleanup Campaign, a recurring initiative involving 35 students and volunteers focused on protecting coastal ecosystems. The college also organized a 'Towards Clean Blue Seas' workshop and the TouMaLi Project (Tourism Marine Litter), developing sustainable waste management solutions for the tourism sector in the MENA region.

Fishermen and Maritime Community Workshops

CFAT organized the 'Antifouling Paints: Environmental Hazards and Alternatives' workshop specifically designed for the Abu-Qir Bay fishermen community, with 20 participants including staff, students, and local fishermen. The workshop addressed the environmental hazards of conventional antifouling paints and promoted safer alternatives, bridging academic research and local livelihood needs.

Environmental Awareness Events

CLC students participated in the National Conference on Environmental Awareness at the Engineers' Syndicate Headquarters (January 2025), which addressed recycled products, climate change, sustainable education, and the SDGs. The Green Guardians student graduation campaign, launched under the slogan 'What we save, saves us', promoted environmental awareness and eco-friendly behaviour through digital campaigns covering climate change impacts including rising temperatures, extreme weather, floods, and droughts.

CLC participated in the 'The Sea Unites Us' celebration in Alexandria, organized with the Anna Lindh Foundation and L'Arche Foundation as part of a musical initiative held simultaneously across 24 Mediterranean countries, aimed at strengthening cultural and environmental ties.

 

Charitable and Welfare Campaigns

CLC students carried out multiple community service campaigns including Iftar meal distributions during Ramadan to residents in Al-Maamoura El-Balad village and workers at Abu Qir General Hospital (March 2025). Earlier cycles distributed food bags on UN World Food Day (October 2022), winter clothing to children in Abu Qir (December 2022), and Eid gifts to nursing home residents and orphanages.

CMT's Political Science Department organized the 'Ramadan's Kitchen' project serving 100 participants at Tbarak Farm, and the 'Warm Hearts, Warm Home' project visiting elderly residents in nursing homes across Egypt, involving 20 participants.

Children and Family Engagement

CLC organized the Family Solidarity Day in collaboration with the College of Management and the Deanship of Student Affairs, hosting over 300 children at AASTMT's Abu Qir campus with games, performances, and activities. A similar Orphan's Day celebration in May 2024 hosted more than 300 children at the Academy. The Dar Al-Rehab Orphanage received a CLC visit in November 2023 where students read stories and encouraged foreign language learning.

Inclusion and Accessibility

CLC participated in the International White Cane Safety Day celebration at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, organized by the Taha Hussein Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired. A group of visually impaired students and graduates represented the college. AASTMT also welcomed 47 displaced Sudanese students from Ahfad University for Women, who completed their pharmacy degrees through a joint programme, reflecting a commitment to inclusion and continuity of education.

Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality

The College of Pharmacy (Main Campus and Alamein Branch) participated in the 'She is the Driver of Development' Forum, organized with the National Council for Women Egypt. The College Dean chaired a panel titled 'From Leadership to Impact: Women Leading Sustainability', highlighting women's leadership journeys and the role of support systems. AASTMT also launched the 'Arab Women in Science' platform in collaboration with UNESCO, providing Arab women scientists with a digital space for connection, mentorship, and training.

The Alamein Campus hosted the forum 'She: The Driver of Sustainability' on February 12, 2026, in partnership with the National Council for Women, bringing together female leaders and showcasing women entrepreneurs and innovators.

 

Cultural Heritage Engagement

CLC organized field trips to historical sites including the Grand Egyptian Museum, Ibn Tulun Mosque, El-Kritliyya House, and the 'Tale of Two Cities' exhibition at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, exploring Egypt-Greece historical connections. CFAT organizes CFAT Annual Student Day featuring maritime heritage activities, and the College Heritage Decorations competition reflecting Egyptian maritime and religious culture during Ramadan and New Year seasons.

AASTMT participated in the 'Reviving the Memory of Alexandria' conference at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in collaboration with UNESCO, showcasing AI and hologram technologies for digital heritage documentation.

Media Literacy and Misinformation Awareness

CLC students launched the 'Factify' campaign to educate the public on the dangers of rumors and misinformation on social media, and tools for verifying news accuracy (April 2025). The 'Digi Devils' campaign targeted cybercrime awareness under the slogan 'Don't Be the Victim, Secure Your Digital Life'. CLC organized a workshop titled 'AI Solutions for the Sake of Truth', a full-day event with experts from Al-Ahram Newspaper, Microsoft, and Galala University addressing AI and fact-checking in media.

International Cultural Exchange

CLC organized its Intercultural Day, where students showcase traditional dances, music, and performances from different cultures globally, building mutual understanding and respect. Spanish Culture Day presented Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville through student presentations, performances, and food. A cultural day explored the traditions of Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. CLC participated in the World Cities Day event at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina emphasizing youth roles in building sustainable cities.

Volunteering at Public Institutions

CLC students volunteered in the Public Relations and Tours departments at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina from January to February 2025, guiding visitors through the library's main landmarks and historical museums. Further volunteering occurred during the international media conference organized by RUDN University (Russia), where CLC contributed 8 presentations and 7 research papers.

 

Entrepreneurship Center Outreach

The AASTMT Entrepreneurship Center has incubated over 300 startups, raised more than $10 million in funding, and delivered over 500 workshops. Programmes include Rally Egypt, Rally Arab, and Rally Accelerate. A dedicated Entrepreneurship Clinic for Pharmacy Staff Training was organized for faculty members, introducing key concepts of innovation, business development, and transforming ideas into practical opportunities.

International and Cross-Border Capacity Building

Through Erasmus+ and other funded programmes, AASTMT delivers outreach that extends to partner regions. Current projects include EmpowerHER (UK, gender equality in STEM), AquaVET (Nigeria, aquatic veterinary science), GEMS-TECH (Kenya, green shipbuilding education), SPEED (MENA, hybrid vehicle education), UP-TAKERS (Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, XR/VR learning labs), and SUMT (3D surveying and smart city mapping).

Training Workshops for External Organizations

The College of Pharmacy organized a Pharmacovigilance Workshop in partnership with the Saudi German Hospital and the Egyptian Drug Authority to advance medication safety and build capacity among healthcare professionals. The college also hosted the Arab Program for Disaster Risk Reduction coordination meeting, welcoming delegates from Arab countries and the European Union, and the University of Manouba (Tunisia) delegation for a tour of advanced research laboratories and discussion of joint academic initiatives.

Outreach Area	Key Activities	Lead Units	SDGs
Education and Literacy	UNHCR English teaching, school STEM visits, Summer Schools, national coding challenges, logistics camps	CLC, Pharmacy, CFAT, CITL, Entrepreneurship Center	SDG 4, 17
Health and Wellbeing	Rural medical convoys (850+ patients), mental health seminars, cancer awareness, hospital visits	Pharmacy (Main and Alamein), CLC	SDG 3
Environmental Outreach	Beach cleanups, fishermen workshops, marine litter projects, climate literacy campaigns	CFAT, CLC	SDG 13, 14
Social Inclusion	Food and clothing distributions, orphan and elderly care, displaced student support, World Food Day	CLC, CMT, Pharmacy	SDG 1, 10, 11
Women's Empowerment	Arab Women in Science platform, She: Driver of Sustainability forum, gender STEM initiatives	Pharmacy, AASTMT-wide	SDG 5, 17
Cultural and Information Services	Heritage field trips, Intercultural Day, media literacy campaigns, Bibliotheca Alexandrina volunteering	CLC, CFAT	SDG 11, 16
Innovation and Skills	Startups incubated, entrepreneurship clinics, international capacity-building projects	Entrepreneurship Center, Pharmacy, CITL	SDG 9, 17

AASTMT's outreach strategy is embedded across all colleges and campuses, ensuring that community engagement is not a peripheral activity but a core part of the institution's identity and its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals