Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Inaugurates the Second Scientific Conference of the Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine Entitled:
“Aquatic Animal Diseases: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment”**
Under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Nasser El‑Gizawy, President of the University, and Prof. Dr. Gehan Abdelhady, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, Prof. Dr. Amany Abdelrahman Abbass, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, inaugurated the Second Scientific Conference of the Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, held under the title “Aquatic Animal Diseases: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment.”
The conference was attended by Prof. Dr. Hossam Fouad Atiya, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Dr. Adel Abdelalim Shaheen, Former Head of the Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Expert at the African Union; and Prof. Dr. Amal Mohamed Al‑Assaly, Head of the Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Conference Rapporteur.
The conference comes in light of the growing importance of aquaculture, which has become a fundamental pillar of food security and an important contributor to the national economy, especially as Egypt is among the largest fish producers in Africa. In recent years, accelerating climatic and environmental challenges have directly impacted the health of aquatic organisms, posing a serious threat to farm productivity. Consequently, disease diagnosis has become a cornerstone of modern aquaculture—not only to increase productivity, but also to ensure the safety and quality of the final product. In this context, and in recognition that human health is inseparable from animal and environmental health, aquatic animal medicine plays a vital role as a key partner and a first line of defense within the One Health framework.
The conference featured a number of distinguished scientific lectures, beginning with a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. El‑Khatib Yousry, Professor of Aquatic Animal Diseases at the National Research Centre, entitled “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aquatic Animal Diseases.”
This was followed by a lecture delivered by Prof. Dr. Amani Ahmed Mohamed, Director of the Veterinary Medicine Administration at the General Authority for Fish Resources Development, titled “Aquaculture in Egypt: The Future of Youth in the Aquatic Sector.”
Additionally, Prof. Dr. Haitham Ahmed Abdelghafar, Researcher at the WorldFish Center, presented a lecture entitled “Modern Trends in Aquaculture.”
The conference also included a lecture by Prof. Dr. Adel Abdelalim Shaheen entitled “The Relationship Between Aquaculture Systems and the Occurrence of Diseases.”
In line with the college administration’s strong commitment to student engagement in scientific events, and in the belief that such investment is a true guarantee of sustainability and the development of students’ practical, research, and personal skills, students participated in the conference by presenting a number of scientific posters showcasing their research activities.
The conference was attended by a large number of faculty members and researchers from various Egyptian universities, research centers, and institutes, in addition to faculty members, teaching assistants, and students of the college. The event also welcomed industry experts, representatives of research institutions, and fish industry companies, including Mr. Tong, Sales Manager at New Hope Company in Gamasa, and Dr. Asaad El‑Sabbagh, College Council Member and Chairman of the Board of Kheirat El‑Nile Company.
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