On March 10, as part of his official visit to Egypt Tajik President Emomali Rahmon visited Cairo University addressed teachers and students.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, Emomali Rahmon was warmly welcomed by Cairo University President Mohamed Othman Elkhosht as well as other teachers and staff of the university.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar and Cairo University Mohamed Othman Elkhosht reportedly made introductory speeches in the hall of the university.

By the decision of the Scientific and Educational Board of Cairo University, President Emomali Rahmon was awarded the title of "Honorary Doctor" for his valuable contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Tajikistan and Egypt, the development of scientific, security, humanitarian and cultural ties and especially global initiatives in water and climate.

Emomali Rahmon addressed the teachers and students.  During his address, the President reflected on the friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries, the rich historical traditions of Tajikistan and Egypt, noting that “on the basis of these glorious traditions of our ancestors and relying on modern scientific and technical achievements, we can establish mutually beneficial cooperation.”

In his speech, President Emomali Rahmon also expounded about the recent history of the Tajik statehood, the independence of the Tajik state and nation, the fate of the country in the first years of independence, the peace-making experience of the Tajik people, the development of science and education in our country, and its global initiatives.

Founded on December 21, 1908, Cairo University is Egypt's premier public university.  It is the second oldest institution of higher education in Egypt after Al Azhar University, notwithstanding the pre-existing higher professional schools that later became constituent colleges of the university. It was founded and funded as the Egyptian University by a committee of private citizens with royal patronage in 1908 and became a state institution under King Fuad I in 1925.  In 1940, four years following his death, the University was renamed King Fuad I University in his honor.  It was renamed a second time after the Egyptian revolution of 1952.  The University currently enrolls approximately 155,000 students in 20 faculties and 3 institutions.  It counts three Nobel Laureates among its graduates and is one of the 50 largest institutions of higher education in the world by enrollment.