Sana'a: The Fourth Poetry Festival and Competition for students of public and private universities and community colleges was launched on Tuesday in the capital Sana'a, organized by the Higher Education Sector in cooperation with Azal University for Human Development, under the slogan 'You Are Not Alone' and in conjunction with the 62nd anniversary of the October 14 Revolution.
According to Yemen News Agency, the three-day competition features around 70 male and female poets representing 26 public and private universities and colleges, competing in both free verse and traditional popular poetry. The event is overseen by a judging panel including poets Harith al-Shamiri and Nabil al-Udaini.
In the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Education and Scientific Research Dr. Hatem al-Duais highlighted the importance of student activities in revitalizing campus life, discovering young talents, and nurturing creativity among university students. He praised the efforts of the General Department of Student Activities in the Higher Education Sector for reviving such initiatives, emphasizing their role in reinforcing values, enhancing students' cultural, social, and academic capabilities, and promoting knowledge exchange.
Dr. al-Duais encouraged participants to use their poetry to praise the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), express solidarity with the Palestinian resistance in its struggle against the Zionist enemy, expose the brutal crimes committed in Gaza, and focus on the Palestinian cause as the central issue of the Muslim Ummah. He also called for linking the Palestinian resistance with Yemen's struggle against aggression led by the U.S. and Israel.
For his part, Abdulkarim al-Dhahhak, Director of Student Activities at the Higher Education Sector, stated that the Fourth Poetry Festival and Competition aims to encourage students to commemorate the Prophet's birth, highlight the historical stance of Yemen's revolutionary and political leadership in support of Palestine, and strengthen students' identity and faith-based values. He noted that Yemen is rich with poets, writers, intellectuals, and scholars, and that universities and colleges are full of young talents whose potential can be discovered and developed through such activities.
President of Azal University for Human Development, Dr. Mohammed al-Aqeeli, praised the Higher Education Sector, participants, organizers, and judges for making the event a success for the fourth consecutive year. He emphasized the importance of the festival in identifying and refining poetic talents. Dr. al-Aqeeli affirmed the university's commitment to providing full support and facilities for hosting the event, noting that the poetry submissions focused on themes such as the 'Flood of al-Aqsa,' the legendary resilience of the Palestinian people, Yemen's honorable stance in supporting Gaza, and praise of the Prophet's birth.
The opening ceremony, attended by the Secretary General of Azal University Abdulkarim al-Gharsi, deans of colleges, and directors of student activities from various institutions, featured recitations of selected poems by participants. On the sidelines of the event, the Deputy Minister of Education and the university president inaugurated several engineering and computer labs with modern equipment. They also inspected medical laboratories and observed the educational process at the Graduate Studies Faculty.
Dr. al-Duais was also briefed on the university's use of the 'SAR' electronic system, which facilitates student registration, admissions, financial and academic records, class and exam scheduling, and the issuance of graduate documentation. Azal University is the first private institution in Yemen to implement this system as part of its efforts to promote governance, transparency, and quality in academic and administrative processes.