[1][3] The idea to create a sustainable university was developed by Ibrahim Abouleish, the leader of the SEKEM initiative, which was founded in 1977.

The SEKEM Initiative handled these four main dimensions in a specific framework, which called sustainable flower.

[5] Based on this framework, students not only learn their specific curricula, but also take lessons in arts, culture, social sciences, environmental studies, and foreign languages.

[1][4] For teaching purposes and to promote sustainability, Heliopolis University operates a wastewater system and several photovoltaic installations,[1][2] students and staff can use a cafeteria, a restaurant, as well as sport and leisure facilities.

The Space of Culture is based on the philosophy to enable an intercultural meeting point and a crossroad between orient and occident, between West, East, North and South.