October Victories Seminar: Between the Past and the Present

3-11-2025
Prof. Yasser Magdy Hatata, President of Fayoum University, attended the seminar organized by the General Administration for Community Service and Environmental Development in cooperation with the Students for Egypt family and the University's Social Solidarity Unit, entitled "The October Victories: Between the Past and the Present". The seminar featured a presentation by Major General Samir Farag, Military and Strategic Expert and Former Director of the Moral Affairs Department of the Armed Forces. Also the seminar was attended by Prof. Assem El-Essawy, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Sherif El-Attar, Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Arafa Sabry, Former Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies, Cultural Relations, and Research; Brigadier General Sherif Amer Badawy, Military Advisor to the Governor of Fayoum; many deans and vice deans of faculties; Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Hendam, Director of Military Education at the University; Ms. Sherine Fathy, Deputy Director of the Social Solidarity Directorate in Fayoum Governorate; faculty members; and students. The seminar was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, in the University's Grand Celebration Hall.

Prof. Hatata emphasized that the generation of the October War is considered the golden generation, having made immense sacrifices to rebuild the nation and reclaim its lands despite the difficulties they faced in achieving victory. He pointed out that the October victory proved the strength of the Egyptian military character.

He explained that Major General Samir Farag is a symbol and a role model for the Egyptian leader, possessing shrewdness, knowledge, and expertise.

During the seminar, Major General Samir Farag discussed the plans drawn up by President Mohamed Anwar Sadat and his military commanders to achieve victory under the difficult circumstances faced by the Egyptian Armed Forces after the 1967 defeat, which necessitated rebuilding the Egyptian army.

He also addressed the strategic deception plan implemented days before the war, which included the visit of the President's National Security Advisor to US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to request peace and negotiations, in addition to organizing Umrah pilgrimages for officers and their families and demobilizing a number of army personnel. This gave the Israelis the impression that the Egyptians were incapable of waging war. He presented Scenes from the October War, showing how Egyptian forces managed to breach the myth of the Bar Lev Line using water hoses. He also discussed the significant superiority of the Egyptian navy, air force, and tanks during the war, which gave the Egyptian army a rapid advantage.

At the end of the seminar, Prof. Hatata presented the university's shield to Major General Samir Farag in recognition of his efforts. A number of students, children of martyrs and wounded soldiers, were also honored.