The DIEM project workshop “Bridging Cultural Heritage Academia and the Market: Challenges and Opportunities” took place on 1–2 February 2026 at Ain Shams University Faculty of Engineering in Cairo. Experts, academics, and professionals discussed regulatory gaps, knowledge mismatches between education and practice, adaptive reuse strategies, investment barriers, community engagement, and curriculum reforms. Key outcomes include proposals for stronger governance, interdisciplinary training, micro-credentials (e.g., adaptive reuse, digital heritage, heritage economics), and enhanced international collaboration to promote sustainable heritage preservation in Egypt and the Mediterranean.

Day 1 – 1 February 2026

Understanding and Identifying Challenges in the Expert Sector

11:00 – 11:30 Registration and Networking (welcome coffee, attendance list, initial stakeholder mapping)

Visitors/Participants: Prof. Dr. Aly Abdel-haleem, Prof. Dr. Mamdouh El-Damatiy, Dr. Hamdy EL-Setoohy, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Abdelbaset, Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Seady, Prof. Dr. Tarek Walley, Dr. Shymaa Shahyeen (and others)

11:30 – 12:00 Opening Session

Welcome address by Dean of FoE, ASU

Introduction to DIEM Team & Interreg NEXT MED context

Workshop objectives & expected outputs

12:00 – 13:00 Session 1: Academic Perspectives in Cultural Heritage

Format: Short presentations + discussion

Topics: Current academic research trends, education & training models, skills gaps & mismatches

Expected Output: Identification of academic strengths and key education/research gaps

13:00 – 14:00 Session 2: Educational Perspectives / Key Challenges in Academia–Market Integration

Format: Case-based presentations + Q&A

Topics: Cultural heritage in educational contexts, industry needs & employability, practice-based case studies

Expected Output: Mapping of education expectations and challenges

15:00 – 16:00 Session 1 (Museums & Sites): Strategic Collaboration Models between Museums and Capacity-Building Institutions

Format: Structured expert inputs + guided discussion

Topics: University–industry partnerships, roles of museums/heritage sites in capacity building

Expected Output: Proposed models for museum-led capacity building

Visitors/Experts: Prof. Dr. Ahmed Syam, Dr. Samya Hassan (Islamic Museum), Dr. Wala Magdy, Ms. Wala Mohamed (Zafraan Museum), Prof. Dr. Abdel Rahma EL-Serogy (Fayoum University), Dr. Ahmed Noqrashy (Head of Abydoos excavation site), Dr. Mohmed Ibrahim (President of Citadel Excavations Site)

16:00 – 17:00 Session 2 (Museums & Sites): Applied Practices and Successful Collaboration Models

Format: Moderated panel discussion

Topics: Successful case studies, museum sciences and applied research, capacity-building approaches

Expected Output: Compilation of opportunity areas and best practices

Day 2 – 2 February 2026

Theme: From Dialogue to Collaboration

11:00 – 11:15 Welcome and Recap

Summary of Day 1 insights, framing Day 2 objectives

Visitors/Participants: Prof. Dr. Heidi Shalaby (NOUH), Eng. Mohamed Hassan, Eng. Magdy El-Sabagh (Sigma), Dr. Mohamed Roshdy (TMG), Eng. Ibrahim El Shahed (ACC), Eng. Hania (Mentor Co.), Eng. Ahmed Bata (S.A.E)

11:15 – 12:30 Session 1: Market and Professional Perspectives

Format: Case-based presentations + Q&A

Topics: Cultural heritage in professional/market contexts, industry needs & employability, practice-based case studies

Expected Output: Mapping of market expectations and professional challenges

12:30 – 13:30 Session 2: Interactive Working Groups

Format: Facilitated group work + plenary feedback

Groups:

Education, curricula, & skills development

Market readiness & professional pathways

Innovation, digital tools & entrepreneurship

Tasks: Key challenges, priority actions, potential collaboration formats

Expected Output: Thematic recommendations and action-oriented proposals

13:30 – 14:00 Closing Session

Presentation of key findings & recommendations

Identification of follow-up actions & cooperation pathways

Closing remarks

Expected Output: Draft roadmap for future project collaboration