Netherlands' ambassador, Laurens Westhoff, attended the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Al-Azhar University and the NVIC – Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo at Al-Azhar University, according to a statement of the embassy. The MoU was signed by Mohammed Al-Mahrasawy, President of Al Azhar university and Rudolf De Jong, Director of the NVIC, Through the Faculty of Languages and Translation at Al-Azhar university, this cooperation aims at fortifying the existing cultural and scientific relations between the university and the NVIC, and to further this cooperation by exchanging experiences and academic activities in the fields of research, education and training programmes. "I am truly honoured to be here at Al Azhar University, and I look forward to support strengthening relations between Al-Azhar University and Dutch universities through the NVIC for what we hope will contribute to serve as an interfaith dialogue platform", said Westhoff. After the signing ceremony, Netherlands' ambassador and director of the NVIC were hosted at the office of Taha Badry, dean of Faculty of Languages and Translation, were they discussed the operational aspect of the MoU and the way forward. Additionally in education engagements, Netherlands embassy signed a contribution agreement with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Egypt at the Dutch embassy in Cairo, early July. The agreement, for a total of €1m over 18 months, improves the access to quality education for more than 16,000 pre-primary and children enrolled in basic education within a broader protective environment. This project provides an integrated package to improve access to education, mainstreaming protection concerns for refugee and migrant children in Egypt especially in Giza, Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta governorates, as well as Al Behira, Kafr Al Shiekh, Marsa Matrouh, Aswan, and the Red Sea.
