On Sunday, 7 December 2025, Professor Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, welcomed Professor Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), which aims to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the developing world. This visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and TWAS as strategic partners in developing and disseminating knowledge, advancing science, and supporting scientific research.

The meeting was attended on behalf of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina by Ms. Heba Elrafey, Senior Public Relations and Acting Head of the External Relations and Media Sector; Dr. Marwa El-Wakeel, Head of the Academic Research Sector; Eng. Esraa El-Fayoumi, Acting Head of the Researchers' Support and Development Unit at the Center for Special Studies and Programs (CSSP) affiliated to the Academic Research Sector; and Ms. Eman Wahdan, Acting Head of the Public Relations Section affiliated to the Public Relations and Media Department.

Since 2005, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has hosted the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries’ Arab Regional Partner (TWAS–AREP) through the Center for Special Studies and Programs affiliated to the Academic Research Sector. The program aims to promote scientific capacity and excellence among Arab scientists, particularly young researchers in the region. This year, the center celebrates twenty years of hosting TWAS-AREP.

Professor Marcelo Knobel began his visit with a tour of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, followed by a meeting with Dr. Marwa El-Wakeel, Head of the Academic Research Sector, along with the team of the Center for Special Studies and Programs and TWAS-AREP.