Cairo University President Gaber Nassar granted King Salman Abdel Aziz Al-Saud an honorary PhD on Monday during a celebration at the university.
Saudi King Salman vowed to continue his support for the university, adding that the university’s decision to honour him honours all Saudi people.
In his speech at the celebration, Saudi King Salman praised the university’s role in “enriching the scientific movement in the Arab world”.
Saudi King Salman ended his five-day visit at Cairo University, which included the signing of several diplomatic and economic agreements.
On Sunday, during his speech at the Egyptian Parliament, Saudi King Salman spoke of the mutual agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) signed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, emphasising the new Red Sea bridge agreement which he said aims to boost the movement of regional trade and create job opportunities.
The visit has been much praised by both countries, especially in light of mutual economic cooperation. The Saudi king also met with high profile Egyptian officials, including Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, as well as Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Salman was seen off by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Prime Minster Sherif Ismail on Monday, as well as other security and civil officials.
According to a statement by the presidency, the visit succeeded in achieving its goals and Al-Sisi promised to follow up on its objectives.
Al-Sisi also asserted the two countries’ role in solving regional conflicts and “showing the true image of moderate Islam”.
One of high profile agreements signed during the Saudi king’s visit demarcated maritime zones in the Red Sea between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which sparked concern over giving Saudi Arabia sovereignty over Tiran and Sanafir islands.
Continued Saudi investment comes at a time when Egypt is suffering from a shortage in foreign currency reserves due to declines in revenue from tourism, the Suez Canal, and foreign direct investment. It has been economically dependent on loans from different Gulf countries as a mainstay in sustaining its economy.
