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Ain Shams University President Inaugurates Advanced Engineering Labs and Digital Manufacturing Facility with ABB
Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, inaugurated the Electrical Fundamentals and Automation Laboratories at the Faculty of Engineering following their complete renovation and development, as part of the joint cooperation with ABB, the global technology and industrial automation company, in addition to the 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Building.
The inauguration was attended by Prof. Rami Maher, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Student Affairs; H.E. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, Ambassador of Sweden to Egypt; Mr. Thomas Baumgartner, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt; Prof. Mohamed Saleheen, Vice President of Ain Shams National University for Academic Affairs; Prof. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; and Mr. Ahmed Hammad, Chairman of ABB, along with ABB executives and a number of partners and guests from academic and industrial institutions.
During his speech, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen emphasized that this cooperation represents an outstanding model of partnership between the University and the industrial sector. He stressed that the development of university education is inseparable from openness to leading institutions and benefiting from their expertise.
He noted that the two newly developed laboratories provide a practical training and learning environment that keeps pace with the latest developments in engineering, technology, and automation, giving students a genuine opportunity to connect academic knowledge with modern industrial applications.
He also explained that the 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Building represents a significant addition to the Faculty's education and innovation ecosystem, supporting creativity, design, and prototyping while opening new horizons for students and researchers to transform their ideas into tangible models and applications.
He stressed that the mission of a modern university goes beyond transferring knowledge to producing and applying it, as well as serving society through genuine partnerships with the industrial sector. Such partnerships contribute to preparing graduates who are competitive and equipped with future-ready skills, while highlighting the importance of continuing cooperation in training, scientific research, and technology transfer.
At the conclusion of his speech, he extended his thanks and appreciation to ABB for its support in renovating the laboratories, to the Faculty of Engineering and its leadership, faculty members, and staff, as well as to the ambassadors and international partners in attendance, expressing his aspiration for further cooperation and partnerships in the coming period.
Prof. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, explained during his speech that these inaugurations come as part of the Faculty's plan to develop its educational and research infrastructure.
The inaugurations included the launch of a specialized 3D printing laboratory equipped with 17 printers utilizing various technologies and supporting printing with metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials, in addition to a 3D scanner and processing equipment.
The laboratory is designed to serve as a platform for applied education, scientific research, and innovation in additive manufacturing. The project also included the modernization of motor automation, digital control, and electrical fundamentals laboratories to provide hands-on training in advanced technologies related to motor control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), energy, and smart buildings.
Prof. Shaat explained that the new equipment includes VSDs, HVAC training tools, and the KNX smart system for controlling lighting, air conditioning, and window blinds. These technologies are expected to contribute to improving energy efficiency by between 30% and 40%.
The Dean highlighted the pivotal role played by ABB in developing the electrical laboratories, noting that the company has been a strategic partner of the Faculty since 1999, for more than a quarter of a century. He emphasized that this partnership has gone beyond merely supplying equipment to include technology transfer and the enhancement of industrial expertise within the educational environment, becoming a model for university-industry integration in supporting practical training.
In a related context, Prof. Amr Shaat stated that the Faculty maintains international partnerships with prestigious universities, including the University of East London in the United Kingdom, Mediterranea University in Italy, Ulm University in Germany, and the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
He also reviewed outstanding achievements recently accomplished by Faculty students in international competitions in the fields of electric vehicles, earthquake resistance, wind turbines, and HVAC systems, where they secured leading positions in competitions held in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The Dean concluded his speech by emphasizing that developing the laboratories represents more than merely upgrading equipment; it is a genuine investment in students aimed at preparing engineers capable of transforming knowledge into applications, challenges into solutions, and ideas into innovations that can compete globally, fulfilling the Faculty's ambition to remain an institution that combines the authenticity of the past with the technologies of the future.
Prof. Shaat extended his thanks and appreciation to Ain Shams University and its leadership, ABB and all partners, faculty members, teaching assistants, and administrative staff. He described these inaugurations as a new milestone in the Faculty's development journey and renewed the call for the continuation and expansion of cooperation to achieve further success.
Mr. Ahmed Hammad, Chairman of ABB, stated that the company is marking an exceptional and historic milestone this year as it celebrates 100 years of presence in the Egyptian market and the continuation of its various partnerships.
He noted that ABB is one of the world's leading companies in the fields of electrification and buildings, and that its century-long success has been built on genuine and effective partnerships with a wide range of institutions.
He explained that the company continues to invest in building and developing human capabilities through the inauguration of two new Electrical Fundamentals and Automation Laboratories at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University. The laboratories aim to provide advanced technological solutions that contribute to preparing a new generation of innovative professionals and ensuring that educational outcomes are aligned with internationally recognized standards across industrial sectors.
He added that the development and renovation of the laboratories has expanded their capacity to benefit approximately 2,000 students annually, making the laboratories an effective practical model for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application and equipping students with the skills required to lead digital transformation and implement smart energy solutions in the future.
As part of the ongoing partnership with the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, Mr. Ahmed Hammad announced the continuation of the company's support for scholarships through the Jürgen Dormann Foundation, enabling outstanding and deserving students to continue their educational journey.
The company also supports the transition of Faculty of Engineering students from the general education system to the credit-hour system, while continuously following their academic progress.
