With a parliament dominated by Islamists, a new constitution being written and presidential elections looming, what is the future of science research in Egypt after years of stagnancy under the previous regime?
Nile University, Egypt’s first research university, hosted university professors and scientists today in a conference to discuss their vision for boosting science research after a popular uprising about a year ago toppled long-time president Hosni Mubarak.
“When I talk about the future of Egypt I always talk about the future of science research, because science will be the way forward for us,” said Moataz Khorshid, ex-minister of higher education and scientific research in Egypt. “The science and knowledge gap is the most serious obstacle that developing world countries are facing.
“Our science spending does not surpass 0.4% of GDP, while the global average for advanced and successful countries is 3-4%,” says Khorshid. “Moreover, 89% of this comes from the public sector.” The private sector must be encouraged to fund research once they recognize the economic value of doing so.
“The country’s future strength will lie in technological projects,” says Tarek Khalil, provost of Nile University. Khorshid seconds his opinion, suggesting Egypt needs to move towards “research intensive industries,” such as information technology and pharmaceutical industries.
“In order to fulfill this vision, we need to improve technical training and education and work on boosting the research infrastructure in place, says Khalil. “We need to make Egypt attractive for researchers and research-producing industries.”
The attendees agreed there should be a general science strategy across the country’s different research institutes that fulfills the country’s needs, such as focusing on water and energy research. “We also need to understand that when we are putting together our future plan for science we must do so within the global context,” adds Korshid.
“We don’t need more talk in the media. We need all the state institutes to put science research as a priority. We need a clear strategy and good infrastructure that is not related to people in power so that it can continue smoothly as ministers come and go,” said former minister for scientific research Venice Kamel Gouda.
Ever since the popular uprising that toppled the previous regime, the future of Nile University has been in doubt when its new campus was allocated to Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zewail’s ambitious project, the Zewail City of Science and Technology.
The university has been struggling to regain its campus in the city of 6th of October on the outskirts of Cairo.
“I believe that every Egyptian scientist outside of Egypt yearns to come back and do something good for their country,” said Ibrahim Badran, past president of Cairo University. “I wish before I die to see all these people working together for the good of Egypt.”