Participation of Prof. Dr. Nevine Gharib El-Sayed – Professor at the Department of Architecture and Dean of the Faculty – in the international meeting organized by the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) for the “UfM Advisory Group of Schools of Architecture in the Euro-Mediterranean Region,” held in Chania, Crete, Greece, on May 22–23, 2025.

It is worth noting that the “UfM Advisory Group of Schools of Architecture in the Euro-Mediterranean Region” was established under the umbrella of the Union for the Mediterranean, with the aim of bringing together a group of academics from across the region who are interested in working at the regional level to:

• Identify innovative regional teaching practices involving architecture schools from both EU and non-EU UfM countries.
• Adapt curricula to better respond to the common challenges facing the region.
• Strengthen the links between academia/research and the public sector.

This meeting continued the discussions held in:

Barcelona (UfM Headquarters, May 23, 2022), Ankara (Middle East Technical University, December 1–2, 2022), Tirana (POLIS University, May 18–19, 2023), Ben Guerir – Morocco (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, May 30–31, 2024),and Brussels – Belgium (Faculty of Architecture La Cambre-Horta, Université Libre de Bruxelles, November 21–22, 2024).

The program also included a visit to the School of Architecture at the Technical University of Crete and a tour of the design studio, during which the Dean presented a talk on urban challenges in Crete.

Additionally, a report highlighting best practices on pedagogical innovation across the region, to be presented in Barcelona in the fall.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a declaration among the participating parties to continue implementing the organization’s objectives for a sustainable future.