Sherif Gad... A Cultural Bridge Between Cairo and Moscow, and a Voice for the Arab World on the Global Stage
From Moscow to Cairo, from international youth festivals to official cultural forums, Sherif Gad has carved a unique path that made him one of the most prominent symbols of cultural exchange between the Arab world and Russia — a distinguished figure in media and international cultural affairs.
His journey began in the Russian capital, where he graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at Moscow University in 1986. He then pursued a course in directing and cinematography at the renowned Moscow Film Institute in 1987 — skills that later enriched his presence in Arab media and cultural circles.
Between 1988 and 1991, he worked as a journalist for Al-Ahali and Sawt Al-Arab newspapers, delivering cultural and social insights with clarity and balance. In 1988, he transitioned into institutional cultural work when he was appointed as the Arab Director of the Soviet Cultural Center in Cairo.
Since 1991, Sherif Gad has been leading the cultural activities at the Russian Cultural Center in Cairo, playing a vital role in fostering intercultural dialogue and creating platforms that connected generations with the academic and cultural legacy of Russia.
He founded the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities, which became a home for alumni across Egypt. He also served as President of the Arab Union of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities in two terms: 2004–2006 and 2018–2022, affirming his role as a regional leader in this field.
His influence goes beyond alumni associations. He is also the Vice President of the Egyptian Film Society, Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, and Secretary-General of the African Union of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities — a reflection of his deep involvement in cultural and regional cooperation.
Sherif Gad led the Egyptian delegation at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi in 2017, and chaired the Arab Alumni Forum of Russian and Soviet Universities held in Cairo in November 2018, which brought together participants from 14 Arab countries. In 2024, he returned to Sochi as Deputy Head of the Egyptian delegation, once again affirming his prominent role in international cultural forums.
Sherif Gad remains a shining example of an engaged intellectual and a committed graduate who transformed his academic roots into a comprehensive project for human dialogue and cross-cultural cooperation.
