In a move that reflects the strategic direction toward academic openness and enhancing regional and international cooperation, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, participated in the 57th General Conference of the Association of Arab Universities, held on April 23 and 24 at the International University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. The conference was held under the theme: "Arab Higher Education in the Light of Digital Transformation and Enhancing Regional Integration." This participation comes as part of the university's ongoing efforts to expand its  academic relationships and exchange expertise with leading educational institutions across the Arab world. The conference witnessed wide participation from leaders in higher education in the Arab world, headed by Professor Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Professor Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities; and Professor Dr. Abdel Majid Ben Amara, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils. A large number of university presidents, academics, and higher education specialists from various Arab countries also attended. In a statement, Professor Dr.  Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally expressed his happiness to participate in this prestigious academic event, stressing the importance of such meetings in exchanging experiences and strengthening relations between universities, in the belief in the importance of Arab integration in the fields of education and scientific research, and the necessity of joint work to confront the challenges facing higher education in the region, especially in light of the digital transformation that has become an undeniable reality, we at Damietta University strive to keep pace with this trend by updating our curricula and developing our educational environment in line with the requirements of the era and the Arab labor market. He added, "We are proud of the academic relationships forged during this conference, and we look forward to new partnerships with Arab universities to enhance innovation and knowledge exchange, serving the development goals of our societies." During the opening session, Professor Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama reviewed the most prominent achievements of the Association of Arab Universities' strategic plan for the period (2020–2030), which resulted from a joint effort between universities and institutions concerned with academic affairs at the Arab and international levels. The event also saw the announcement of the Union's awards for the best master's and doctoral theses. An Egyptian researcher from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Cairo University won the award for the best master's thesis in the field of the green economy and its impact on human health. Three Egyptian researchers also won the Yousef bin Saeed Lootah Award for Young Researchers, reflecting Egypt's scientific excellence on the Arab level. The Union honored Professor Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in appreciation of the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education's efforts in supporting Arab academic cooperation. During the conference sessions, participants discussed several strategic themes, including improving the quality of educational outcomes, strengthening research partnerships, developing curricula to meet the requirements of the Arab labor market, and keeping pace with the digital transformation in higher education institutions. The university's participation in this conference affirms its commitment to the Egyptian state's vision of enhancing its regional and international academic presence and elevating the status of Egyptian higher education at various levels.