GIU Berlin

*The 4th edition of the Connects 2026 program, hosted at the German International University in Berlin, featured a series of inspiring training workshops and interactive sessions focused on Artificial Intelligence* 🎓💼

The workshops saw wide participation from experts and outstanding young professionals. Discussions centered on the latest insights, innovation, and the exchange of practical experience, giving participants a real opportunity to sharpen their skills and build a strong international network. 🌍✨

The event concluded with welcoming remarks from:
- Prof. Dr. *Ashraf Mansour*, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, GUC & GIU
- *Emine Demirbüken-Wegner*, Mayor of Reinickendorf District, Berlin
- Ambassador *Yomna Othman*, representing H.E. *Mohamed El-Badri*, Ambassador of Egypt to Germany
- Mr. *Peter Greisler*, Ministerial Director at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

Certificates for the Connects 2026 program were distributed to participants in the presence of media professionals, academics, diplomats, and members of the judiciary and press.

This is more than a miniature set it is a entire world on a smaller scale. As part of the international Connects 2026 initiative, participants transform a story or emotion into a miniature cinematic scene, using light, materials, and spatial composition to create atmosphere and meaning. Here, the set is not simply the background to the story it becomes the story.

A muscle signal could help a patient regain movement.

At Connects 2026, the OSCAR AI project presents an innovative model that uses muscle signals and image processing technology to support stroke-rehabilitation exercises, alongside an experiment that enables hands-free control of a robotic car.
The idea is simple, but powerful:
turning human bio-signals into intelligent commands that could support rehabilitation and open new possibilities for assistive technology.
From GIU Berlin, science becomes application and an idea moves closer to becoming a feasible project that can serve society and humanity.
Which application could create greater impact: smart rehabilitation or controlling devices through muscle signals?

*GIU Berlin is hosting the fourth edition of the Connects 2026 international workshops from July 20 to July 30, 2026

* The fourth edition of Connects 2026 features 24 workshops in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Design, and Music

* This year's edition brings together 523 participants, including:

* 236 students from the German University in Cairo (GUC)
* 243 students from the German International University (GIU)
* 44 students from various other universities
* The workshops are delivered by 39 instructors

* Connects is an annual initiative launched by GIU Berlin in partnership with the German University in Cairo (GUC) in 2023, in collaboration with the German International University (GIU). The program is led by Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo and the German International University in the New Administrative Capital.

* Connects serves as a global platform for inspiration, learning, and innovation, bringing together talented and creative students and graduates aged 18–30 from diverse nationalities and cultures in an international, interactive learning environment, with the participation of distinguished academics and experts from Egypt and Germany.

* The program has established itself as one of the leading international initiatives launched by the German universities to strengthen academic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between Egypt and Germany by preparing graduates equipped with international knowledge, skills, and experience that foster innovation, communication, and openness between peoples.

* The program includes interactive workshops in leading fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Design, Music, Architecture, and many others.

* The program also features cultural and recreational activities that encourage interaction among participants and support the development of international networking opportunities.

* The initiative aims to:

* Promote communication and mutual understanding among young people from different cultures.
* Encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
* Develop practical and creative skills.
* Inspire creativity and innovation while transforming ideas into implementable projects.
* Empower participants to present their experiences and benefit from the expertise of specialists and professionals.

* The program reflects the German universities' ongoing commitment to promoting the international German education model and strengthening collaboration among universities, academic institutions, research centers, and industry partners in line with global developments in knowledge and innovation.
Closing Ceremony and Certificate Distribution

The closing ceremony and certificate presentation will be attended by:

* Prof. Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo, the German International University, and GIU Berlin.
* Prof. Dr. Yasser Hegazy, President of the German University in Cairo.
* Prof. Dr. Slim Abdennadher , President of the German International University.
* Prof. Ralf Klischewski, President of GIU Berlin.

The Official Closing Ceremony Includes

* Welcome speeches.
* Attendance of high-level political, cultural, parliamentary, academic, and diplomatic figures.
* A musical and artistic performance titled "Connecting Through Music," blending traditional and contemporary Egyptian music with artistic performances.
* An exhibition showcasing students' projects and workshop outcomes, highlighting the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the program.

Distinguished Guests

The event will be attended by:

* Dr. Mohamed Elbadry, Ambassador of Egypt to Germany.
* Emine Demirbüken-Wegner, Mayor of Reinickendorf, Berlin.
* Mr. Peter Greisler, Ministerial Director at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
* Representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
* A number of distinguished academic and diplomatic figures.

The German University in Cairo reaffirms its commitment to the vision established by Prof. Dr. Ashraf Mansour to serve as a center of excellence and a bridge between Egypt and Germany, strengthening scientific, cultural, academic, and technological ties between the two countries.

The third edition of Connects, held in 2025, attracted 608 participants from various Egyptian universities.

Artificial Intelligence Workshops

1. Navigating the Future of Finance: Hands on Journey thrives AI and FinTech
*Instructors:* Dr. Heba Ali & Martin Walther

2. AI in Marketing and Design
*Instructors:* Dr. Sarah El Deeb & Dr. George Fahim

3. Beyond Data: Agentic AI at Workplace
*Instructors:* Dr. Slim Abdennadher, Dr. Caroline Sabty & Dr. Amr Saleh

4. CAPTIVE: AI-Powered Collaborative Technologies for the Era of Smart Vehicles
*Instructors:* Dr. Omar Shehata & Dr. Catherine Malak Elias

5. Data Science for Business: A Hands on Introduction to Analytics
*Instructors:* Dr. Heba Ghoneim & Dr. Noha Ghazy

6. From Threat to Trust: Intelligent Cybersecurity
*Instructors:* Dr. Maggie Mashaly & Amir Osman

7. OSCAR-AI
*Instructors:* Dr. Amir Roshdy & Dr. Mohamed Hamed

8. Codeless Marketing Lab
*Instructors:* Dr. Sandra Mertry & Dr. Norhan Hamdy

9. Techn-Driven Branding: Strategies for the AI Era
*Instructors:* Dr. Hager El Deeb & Farah Hussein

10. The interdisciplinary Medical AI: Deep Learning, Data Fairness, and Digital Medicine
*Instructors:* Dr. Nada Sharaf & Dr. Rana Younes & Shady El Barqouni

11. AI Enabled Cosmeceutical and Supply Planning
*Instructor:* Dr. Shaheer Aziz

12. AI, Digital Transformation, and Administration of Criminal Justice
*Instructors:* Dr. Ahmed Fathy Khalifa & Dr. Ahmed Ali El Kahwagy

13. The Future of Interior Design: Advanced AI and Virtual Reality for Architects
*Instructor:* Sherine Wael

14. AI Driven Immersive Visuals: From Concept to Live Projection
*Instructor:* Sabine Sultan

Design Workshops

1. Berlin Unseen: Photographing Subcultures and Urban Identity
*Instructor:* Nadine Tarek Garir

2. Narrative Spaces: AI Storytelling in Architectural and Interior Design
*Instructors:* Assem Galal & Mohamed El Sharkawy

3. Narrative Jewelry: From Hand Sculpting to 3D Printing
*Instructor:* Maria Jose Nichols

4. RAW BERLIN: Exploring Berlin's Material Culture Through Material-Based Spatial and Furniture Design
*Instructor:* Lamis Abdallah

5. Berlin Soundscapes: Architecture Shaped by Sound
*Instructor:* Ziad El Azizi

6. Scenography Studio: Miniature Worlds and Set Design
*Instructor:* Renada Mohamed

7. Berlin in Pixels: Expressive Pixel Art Workshop
*Instructor:* Mahmoud Ibrahim
*Pixel art is a form of digital art created using tiny squares known as pixels.*

8. The Not. Comic Book:
*Instructor:* Salma Alaa El Din

Music Workshops

1. Bridging the Gap: Exploring the Foundations of Cultural and Music Event Management
*Instructors:* Dr. Raghda El Abrashy & Ohoude Khadr

2. Fundamentals of Sound: Core Principles of Audio Engineering
*Instructor:* Audio Engineer Ayman Yani

We were delighted to welcome Mr. Uwe Jurkschat, Head of Treasury at DKB | Deutsche Kreditbank AG, as a guest speaker in the 10th edition of the Financial Markets and Institutions course at GIU Berlin, bringing together students from The German University in Cairo (GUC) and German International University (GIU).

During his lecture, Geopolitics as a Current Driver of Economic and Interest Rate Trends," Mr. Jurkschat shared valuable insights into how geopolitical developments are shaping the global economy, financial markets, inflation, and interest rate expectations. Drawing on DKB's practical experience, he highlighted the growing influence of geopolitical risks on economic growth, investment decisions, the outlook for interest rates, and their implications for the banking sector.

The session offered students an excellent opportunity to connect academic concepts with real-world banking practice through engaging discussions and interactive exchanges with an experienced industry leader.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Uwe Jurkschat for his continued commitment to supporting our students through this long-standing collaboration. We also thank DKB | Deutsche Kreditbank AG for its valuable partnership with the Financial Markets and Institutions course since 2016, helping strengthen the connection between academia and industry while enriching our students' learning experience.

Thank you for another inspiring session. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!

🎉 Congratulations to our student, Mostafa Aboalfotoh, on successfully defending his bachelor's thesis, "Perception-Based Safety for Self-Adaptive Rover Trajectory Planning," on 1 July 2026 during his research stay at the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam.

Conducted as a visiting researcher at HPI, Mostafa's work reflects the innovative research opportunities available to our students through international collaboration. Throughout his thesis journey, he worked closely with Christian Medeiros Adriano, whose mentorship and continuous support helped transform the project into a valuable research experience.

We also extend our appreciation to Prof. Dr. Holger Giese and the team at Hasso Plattner Institute for their guidance, trust, and for providing an inspiring environment that fostered academic growth and research excellence.

We are proud of Mostafa's achievement and wish him continued success in his future research and professional journey.

Congratulations, Mostafa! 👏🚀

Proud moment for German International University in Berlin (GIU Berlin) 🎉

We are so proud that Mariam El Hefnawi's design "Connect and Convers" is part of the WDC Campus exhibition Dream, Ideas and Prototypes — huge congratulations, Mariam! 👏

The opening was truly inspiring: dozens of student projects came together under one roof, each telling its own story of creativity, innovation, and bold ideas for the future. It was amazing to see so many talented minds, including our very own, turning concepts into reality and sharing them with the Frankfurt community and beyond.

Couldn't make it to the opening? No worries — the exhibition remains open until 9 August, so there's still plenty of time to explore all the projects, including Mariam's.

📍 Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, Exhibition open until 9 August 2026.

We are proud to share that two outstanding student projects from the German International University in Berlin (GIU Berlin) and The German University in Cairo have been selected for the WDC Campus exhibition as part of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 programme.

Our students were selected in the category "International Collaboration", highlighting the strength of cross-border design education and creative exchange.

We congratulate Mariam El Hefnawi (GIU Berlin, Product Design) and Jude Shoukri (GUC, Product Design) on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to seeing their work featured alongside inspiring projects from around the world.