The launching of the activities of the First Damietta Horticulture Conference under the theme "Sustainable Development of Horticultural Crops in the Light of Climate Change.". Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, witnessed the launch of the first Damietta Horticultural Conference today, organized by the Faculty of Agriculture under the title "Sustainable Development of Horticultural Crops in Light of Climate Change." The conference was held under his patronage and under the supervision of Professor Dr. Mohamed Abdel Hamid Shehab, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research. The conference will be chaired by Professor Dr. Al-Metwaly Mustafa Sleem, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and chaired honorarily by Professor Dr. Ali Fathi Hamayel, former Acting President of the University. Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Hadi will serve as the conference's general rapporteur. The conference was attended by distinguished academic figures and researchers, as well as representatives of the sponsoring companies, including: Al-Hilb Company, Qatilo, Mill Stone, Green House, Agris, and the Damietta Agricultural Syndicate. In his speech, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, welcomed all the attending senior specialists and academics, emphasizing that the country currently requires concerted efforts to advance all sectors, particularly agriculture. He emphasized the importance of this scientific conference as a platform for exchanging expertise and ideas, and its role in advancing sustainable agricultural development. The University President emphasized the need to establish effective research partnerships between the university and the industrial community, by directing scientific research toward applied issues of interest to the local market and supporting development priorities. This will contribute to producing actionable results that enhance the capabilities of the Egyptian economy. He also thanked the Dean of the College of Agriculture for organizing the conference, and the members of the Scientific Committee, appreciating their role in supporting the university's research and community service. The first Damietta Orchards Conference concluded with a set of preliminary recommendations, amidst high praise from attendees for the level of organization and the diversity of the conference's scientific themes, which are expected to contribute to strengthening the partnership between academic institutions and the private sector to achieve sustainable agricultural development. Among the recommendations:

- Improving the productivity and quality of horticultural crops to increase export competitiveness in the face of climate change.

- Focusing on developing post-harvest practices to preserve fruit quality and extend storage life.

- Using plant extracts and biostimulants to combat salinity and high temperatures.

- Studying the feasibility of using biostimulants to support sustainable production in agroecology.

- Focus on selection programs to develop varieties more tolerant to salinity and drought.

- Develop irrigation and fertilization systems for horticultural crops in water-scarce conditions.

- Apply biotechnology to improve varieties and increase productivity.

- Preserve local genetic resources for fruit and vegetable crops.

- Providing students with the opportunity to present their scientific research at conferences.

- Expanding the scope of the conference to become an international conference bringing together researchers from around the world.

- Publishing the conference's scientific research.

On the sidelines of the conference, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally, President of the University, and the attendees toured the Horticulture Department's product exhibition at the College of Agriculture. The exhibition featured student projects and innovative ideas, as well as a range of applied research projects being implemented by the college as part of its support for sustainable agriculture and linking scientific research outputs to the needs of society and the labor market.