the research and innovation system in egypt - ARTI Puglia

October 2008 

UNIONE EUROPEA 

Regione Puglia 

Agenzia regionale 

per la tecnologia 

e l’innovazione 

Osservatorio 

permanente 

dell’innovazione 

THE RESEARCH 

AND INNOVATION 

SYSTEM IN EGYPT 

Scientific and technological 

cooperation opportunities 

with the Apulian innovation 

system 

QUADERNIINTERNAZIONALIARTI

UNIONE EUROPEA 

Regione Puglia 

Agenzia regionale 

per la tecnologia 

e l’innovazione 

Osservatorio 

permanente 

dell’innovazione 

Attività cofinanziata dall’Unione 

Europea attraverso il POR Puglia 

2000-2006, Misura 3.13 “Ricerca 

e sviluppo tecnologico”, Azione 

E “Costituzione dell’Osservatorio 

Permanente dell’Innovazione”. 

Progetto grafico 

Nino Perrone 

Impaginazione 

GrafiSystem snc - Modugno (Ba) 

© 2007 ARTI 

Agenzia Regionale 

per la Tecnologia 

e l’Innovazione 

S.P. per Casamassima km 3 

70010 Valenzano (BA) 

tel. 080/4670.576 

fax 080/4670.633 

info@arti.puglia.it 

www.arti.puglia.it 

L’ARTI, l’Agenzia Regionale per la Tecnologia e l’Innovazione 

della Regione Puglia, è stata creata con legge regionale nel 

2004, con il compito di costruire il Sistema Regionale Pugliese 

dell’Innovazione (SIR). Questo significa: 

a) migliorare le condizioni di contesto; 

b) rafforzare i singoli attori (imprese e strutture di ricerca, in termini 

di crescita dimensionale, innovazione, internazionalizzazione); 

c) promuovere la collaborazione tra gli attori (pubblico-privato, 

privato-privato, pubblico-pubblico). 

In particolare nell’ambito dell’Osservatorio permanente 

dell’innovazione, l’agenzia produce rapporti e analisi da diffondere 

in Puglia e fuori per disseminare la conoscenza e favorire la 

discussione. 

Questo documento rappresenta il primo dei Quaderni Bianchi 

ARTI, relativi alle analisi derivanti dalla attività di indagine 

dell’Osservatorio ed è dedicato alla prima significativa iniziativa 

di rafforzamento dell’offerta tecnologica in Puglia (Accordo di 

Programma Quadro tra Stato e Regione Puglia per la Ricerca: Progetti 

Strategici). 

This report is based on a survey realized for ARTI by the 

Center for Advancement of Post-Graduate Studies and 

Research in Engineering Sciences (CAPSCU), Faculty of 

Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt, in the person of Prof. 

Adel M. El-Nadi. 

Il presente Quaderno si basa su un ampio lavoro realizzato, 

su incarico dell’ARTI, dal Center for Advancement of Post- 

Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering Sciences 

(CAPSCU), Facoltà di Ingegneria, Cairo University, Egitto, 

nella persona del Prof. Adel M. El-Nadi.

ARTI International Booklets 

ARTI, Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation, in agreement with the 

Mediterranean and Economic Development Assessorships of the Apulia Region, has 

started an activity aimed at the promotion of the scientific and technological cooperation 

among the regional actors, both research and university centers and innovative 

enterprises, with their counterparts in foreign countries, with a special focus on the 

Mediterranean and Balkan areas. 

The “ARTI International Booklets” series reports the studies carried out on the research 

and innovation systems in the target countries. The Booklets are quick consultation tools 

that, besides presenting a general information picture about the innovation systems 

structure and governance, highlight a limited number of “excellent” organizations that 

represent the best candidates – in terms of scientific competences, available research 

results and attitude to international cooperation – for setting up bilateral partnerships 

with the Apulian scientific and technological actors, in those technological areas that are 

of major relevance for the Apulia region. 

In the first phase of this project, the considered countries have been: Morocco, Tunisia, 

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestinian Territories, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Western 

Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Erzegovina, FYROM-Macedonia, Albania, 

Bulgaria), Romania, Slovenia, Argentina and Chile. 

Quaderni Internazionali ARTI 

L’ARTI, Agenzia Regionale per la Tecnologia e l’Innovazione, in accordo con gli Assessorati 

al Mediterraneo e allo Sviluppo Economico della Regione Puglia, ha avviato una attività 

rivolta principalmente ai Paesi dell’area balcanica e mediterranea, finalizzata alla 

promozione della cooperazione scientifica e tecnologica tra gli attori regionali, siano essi 

imprese innovative o istituti universitari e di ricerca, e i loro omologhi nei Paesi stranieri. 

La collana “Quaderni Internazionali dell’ARTI” nasce per raccogliere i rapporti sui sistemi 

dell’innovazione e della ricerca dei Paesi considerati. I Quaderni sono strumenti di rapida 

consultazione che, oltre a presentare un quadro informativo generale sulla struttura 

e i sistemi di governance dell’innovazione, individuano un numero limitato di enti e 

organizzazioni “eccellenti” – in termini di competenze scientifiche, risultati prodotti e 

propensione alla collaborazione transnazionale – negli ambiti tecnologici di maggiore 

interesse per la Regione Puglia, in modo da facilitare l’attivazione di contatti bilaterali e la 

creazione di partnership. 

Nella prima fase del progetto, i Paesi presi in esame sono: Marocco, Tunisia, Algeria, 

Egitto, Giordania, Libano e Territori Palestinesi, Israele, Turchia, Grecia, Balcani 

Occidentali (Serbia, Montenegro, Croazia, Bosnia-Erzegovina, FYROM-Macedonia, Albania, 

Bulgaria), Romania, Slovenia, Argentina e Cile.

Fonte: CIA - The World Fatbook

THE RESEARCH AND 

INNOVATION SYSTEM IN 

EGYPT 

Scientific and technological 

cooperation opportunities 

with the Apulian innovation 

system

Index 

PART ONE: GENERAL FRAMEWORK 

1. Egyptian economy, 11 

1.1 Introduction, 11 

1.2 Reform Era, 12 

1.3 Land, Agriculture and Crops, 14 

1.4 Water Resources, 15 

1.5 Main Industries, 15 

1.6 Mineral and Energy Sources, 16 

1.7 External Trade, 17 

1.8 Public Finances, 17 

1.9 Exchange Rate policy, 18 

1.10 Investment, 18 

1.11 Challenges, 20 

1.12 Summary, 20 

2. Industry in Egypt, 22 


2.2 Industrial investment, 23 

2.3 Industrial Sectors Structure, 24 

2.4 Recent Industrial Programs, 25 

2.5 Protecting the Environment, 25 

2.6 The industrial Production Development, 25 

2.7 Improving the quality of Egyptian industrial products, 25 

2.8 Industrial exports, 26 

2.9 Summary, 27 

3. Education in Egypt, 28 


3.2 Basic Education, 29 

3.3 High School Education, 30 

3.4 Modern instructural methods for basic education, 31 

3.5 International cooperation projects for basic education,32 

3.6 Higher education, 32 

3.7 Modernization of higher education, 33 

4. Science in Egypt, 37 


4.2 Science centers, 37

5. Research, development and Innovation in Egypt, 44 


5.2 The structure, 44 

5.3 Egypt’s main innovation actors, 45 

5.4 The governance system of R&D and Innovation in Egypt, 49 

5.5 The performance indicators, 50 

5.6 National policy of science and innovation, 50 

5.7 Regional policy of science and innovation, 51 

5.8 Governing norms & laws and funding of R&D and innovation, 52 

5.9 International cooperation Projects, 53 

PART TWO: RESEARCH CENTERS INVENTORY 

6. Introduction, 59 

7. Research centers forms, 60 

7.1 Aerospace, 60 

7.2 Agrofood, 66 

7.3 Mechatronics, 71 

7.4 Health, 80 

7.5 Information and Communication Technologies, 82 

7.6 Renewable Energy, 104 

7.7 Other, 112

Part one: 

general framework

1. Egyptian Economy 

1.1 Introduction 

Economic growth in Egypt has been held back by a severely limited amount of arable land (less 

than 5% of the total area) as well as a large and rapidly growing population. After 1945, a large 

proportion of funds and energy were devoted to preparing the country for regional warfare 

and later rebuilding. The country’s industrial base increased considerably in the 20th century, 

especially after 1952. The state owned much of the economy and played a decisive role in its 

planning. However, in recent years Egypt has moved toward a more decentralized, marketoriented 

economy, and there has been an increase in foreign investments. 

Table 1 

Government Ministries of Egypt 

Administrative Development 

Agriculture 

Civil Aviation 

Communication and Information 

Technology 

Culture 

Defense and Military Production 

Economic Development 

Education 

Electricity and Energy 

Environmental Affairs 

Finance 

Foreign Affairs 

Foreign Trade and Industry 

Health and Population 

Higher Education and Scientific Research 

Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities 

Information 

Interior affairs 

International Cooperation 

Investment 

Irrigation and Water Resources 

Justice 

Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils 

Local Development 

Manpower and Immigration 

Military Production 

Petroleum 

Social Solidarity 

Tourism 

Transport 

Waqfs (Endowments) 

A series of International Monetary Fund arrangements, coupled with massive external 

debt relief resulting from Egypt’s participation in the Gulf War coalition, helped Egypt 

improve its macroeconomic performance during the 1990s. Egypt joined the World Trade 

Organization (WTO) in mid-1995 and has since become one of the most open and free 

markets in Africa and the Middle East. 

Through sound fiscal and monetary policies, the Government of Egypt tamed inflation, 

slashed budget deficits, and built up foreign reserves. Structural reforms, such as 

privatization and new business legislation Egypt’s steps toward a more market-oriented 

economy have prompted increased foreign investment. Hard currency inflows resulted 

mainly from tourism, worker remittances, oil revenues, and Suez Canal tolls and by the 

late 1990s external payments were not in crisis. 

11 

1. Egyptian economy

At the turn of the millennium, monetary pressures have eased more with the continued oil 

price rise since 2002, increased natural gas exploration and production and a moderate 

rebound in the sensitive sector of tourism. Egypt’s reform record has substantially 

improved since Nazif government came to power in 1994. Egypt has made substantial 

progress in developing its legal, tax and investment infrastructure. The reform programme 

is still a work in Progress. 

Four years into a robust economic expansion, this country has shaken off its history of 

Arab state socialism and embraced the free market. A rush of construction is throwing up 

office buildings. Sluggish state-owned companies from banks to department stores are 

being sold to private investors, and foreign capital is flooding in, lured by the scent of 

certain profit. Egypt today has all the earmarks of a gathering boom. Ambitious economic 

reforms launched in 2004 have won plaudits from the business community. Economy 

grows at an annual rate of about 7%. Egypt’s reformist prime minister, Ahmed Nazif, 

remains committed to the transition from a bloated state-centric economy to a more 

market-oriented one. 

1.2 Reform Era 

Under comprehensive economic reforms initiated in 1991, Egypt has relaxed many price 

controls, reduced subsidies, reduced inflation, cut taxes, and partially liberalized trade 

and investment. Manufacturing become less dominated by the public sector, especially in 

heavy industries. A process of public sector reform and privatization has begun to enhance 

opportunities for the private sector. Agriculture, mainly in private hands, has been largely 

deregulated, with the exception of cotton and sugar production. Construction, nonfinancial 

services, and domestic wholesale and retail trades are largely private. This has 

promoted a steady increase of GDP and the annual growth rate. The Government of Egypt 

tamed inflation bringing it down from double-digit to a single digit. Currently, GDP is rising 

smartly by 7% per annum due to successful diversification. 

Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) increased 

fourfold between 1981 and 2006, from US$ 1.355 in 1981, to US$ 2.525 in 1991, to US$ 

3.686 in 2001 and to an estimated US$ 4.535 in 2006. Based on national currency, GDP per 

capita at constant 1999 prices increased from EGP (Egyptian Pounds) 411 in 1981, to EGP 

2.098 in 1991, to EGP 5.493 in 2001 and to EGP 8.708 in 2006. Based on the current US$ 

prices, GDP per capita increased from US$ 587 in 1981, to US$ 869 in 1991, to US$ 1.461 

in 2001 and to an estimated US$ 1.518 (which translates to about US$ 130 per month) in 

2006. According to the World Bank Country Classification, Egypt has been promoted from 

the low income category to lower middle income category. Average wages in 2007 hover 

around $8-10 per day. 

The reform programme is a work in progress. Noteworthy that the reform record 

has substantially improved since Nazif government came to power. Egypt has made 

substantial progress in developing its legal, tax and investment infrastructure. Indeed, 

over the past 5 years, Egypt has passed, amended and admitted over 15 legislative pieces. 

The economy is expected to grow by about 7%-8% in 2007/2008. 

12 the research and innovation system in Egypt

Table 2 

Egypt’s Summary of Budget Financing (Billions of Euros and Fiscal years) 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Revenues 18,01 14,17 12,94 15,3 20,87 22,21 22,9 34,19 

Taxes 11,68 8,86 8,53 10,45 13,49 14,01 14,89 20,65 

Grants 0,98 0,52 0,64 0,3 0,33 0,47 0,39 0,57 

Expenditures 26,58 20,24 18,54 22,3 28,68 27,36 29,95 42,2 

Wages and 

Compensations 7,02 5,38 4,73 5,73 6,45 6,61 7,39 10,17 

Interest 5 4,11 3,9 4,52 5,08 6,51 6,45 6,56 

Subsidies and 

Social Benefits 4,15 3,28 3,14 4,1 9,51 6,69 7,99 16,57 

Cash Deficit -8,56 -6,07 -5,6 -7 -7,8 -4,79 -7,05 8,02 

Net Acquisition of 

Financial Assets -0,29 -0,89 -0,25 -0,12 0,85 -1,19 -0,24 

Overall Deficit -8,85 -6,96 -5,85 -7,13 -6,95 -6,34 -7,29 

Net Borrowing 8,76 6,95 5,85 7 6,94 6,28 7,17 

Proceeds from 

Privatization 0,96 0,006 0,002 0,14 0,02 0,06 0,12 1,24 

Deficit as % of 

GDP -10,20% -10,50% -9,50% -9,60% -8,20% -6,70% -6,90% -6,40% 

Source: Ministry of Finance (Figures for 2008 and 2009 are budget estimates) 

Table 3 

GDP per capita (EGP = Egyptian Pounds) 

Indicator 1981 1991 2001 2005 2006 

GDP (PPP) per capita 1.354,81 2.524,99 3.685,98 4.316,59 4.534,82 

(US$) 

GDP per capita at 

3.121,85 4.075,47 5.138,36 5.519,09 5.692,24 

constant prices (EGP) 

GDP per capita at 

545,8 758,85 956,8 961,5 999,00 

constant prices (US$) 

GDP per capita at current 411,20 2.098,71 5.493,28 7.890,65 8.707,88 

prices (EGP) 

GDP per capita at current 

prices (US$) 

587,42 869,30 1.460,98 1.315,75 1.517,85 

Source: IMF WEO Online database 

Surging domestic inflationary pressures from both economic growth and elevated 

international food prices led the Central Bank of Egypt to increase the overnight lending 

and deposit rates and the rates which currently stand at 10% and 12% respectively. 

Reform of energy and food subsidies and inflation targeting are perhaps the most 

controversial economic issues in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. 

13 1. Egyptian economy

Fig. 1 Distribution of GDP in Egypt in 2001 

Trade, Finance & 

Insurance 

21% 

Hotels and 

Restaurants 

2% 

Housing 

and Real 

Estate 

2% 

Government Services 

7% 

Transportation 

9% 

Construction 

6% 

Electricity 

2% 

Petroleum & 

Products 

8% 

Industry & 

Mining 

20% 

Social and Personal 

Services 

7% 

Agricolture 

16% 

Source: UNIDO 

1.3. Land, Agriculture and Crops 

Warm weather and plentiful water permit several crops a year. Land is worked intensively 

and yields are high. Cotton, rice, wheat, corn, sugarcane, sugar beets, onions, and beans 

are the principal crops. Increasingly, a few modern techniques are applied to producing 

fruits, vegetables and flowers, in addition to cotton, for export. Further improvement is 

possible. The most common traditional farms occupy one acre (4.000 m²) each, typically in 

a canal-irrigated area along the banks of the Nile. 

Several researchers questioned the domestic (and import) policies for dealing with the socalled 

the “wheat game” since the former Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali was in office. 

In 2006, areas planted with wheat in Egypt exceeded 400 thousand acres (1.600 km²) 

producing approximately 8 million metric tons. The domestic supply price farmers receive 

in Egypt is 1.200 (US$ 211) per ton compared to approximately EGP 1940 (US$ 340) per 

ton for import from the USA, Egypt’s main supplier of wheat and corn. Egypt is, in fact, 

the U.S.’s largest market for wheat and corn sales, accounting for US$1 billion annually 

and about 46% of Egypt’s needs from imported wheat. Other sources of imported wheat, 

include Kazakhstan, Canada, France, Syria, Argentina and Australia. There are plans to 

increase the areas planted with wheat up to nearly 3 million acres (12.000 km²) by 2017 to 

narrow the gap between domestic food supply and demand. 

The Western Desert accounts for about two-thirds of the country’s land area. For the 

most part, it is a massive sandy plateau marked by seven major depressions. One of 

these, Fayoum, was connected about 3.600 years ago to the Nile by canals. Today, it is an 

important irrigated agricultural area. 


Practically all Egyptian agriculture takes place in some 25.000 km² (6 million acres) of 

fertile soil in the Nile Valley and Delta. 

Some desert lands are being developed for agriculture, including the controversial but 

ambitious Toshka project in Upper Egypt, but some other fertile lands in the Nile Valley 

and Delta are being lost to urbanization and erosion. Larger modern farms are becoming 

more important in the desert. 

The agriculture objectives on the desert lands are often questioned; the desert farm lands 

which were offered regularly at different levels and prices were restricted to a limited 

group of elites selected very carefully, who later profiteered retailing the granted large 

desert farm land by pieces. This allegedly transforms the desert farms to tourist resorts, 

hits all government plans to develop and improve the conditions of the poor, and causes 

serious negative impact on agriculture and the overall national economy over time. One 

company, for example, bought over 70 hectare of large desert farm for a price as low as 

EGP 0,05 (US$ 0,01) per square meter and now sells for EGP 300 (US$ 66)per square 

meter. In numbers, 70 hectares bought for about US$ 6.000 in 2.000 sells for over US$ 3,7 

million in 2007. Currently, no clear solution exists to deal with these activities. 

Agriculture biomass, including agricultural wastes and animal manure, produce 

approximately 30 million metric tons of dry material per year that could be massively and 

decisively used, inter alia, for generating bioenergy and improve the quality of life in rural 

Egypt. Unfortunately, this resource remain terribly underutilized. 

1.4. Water Resources 

“Egypt,” wrote the Greek historian Herodotus 25 centuries ago, “is the gift of the Nile.” 

The land’s seemingly inexhaustible resources of water and soil carried by this mighty river 

created in the Nile Valley and Delta. Without the Nile, Egypt would be little more than a 

desert wasteland. 

The river carves a narrow, cultivated floodplain, never more than 20 kilometers wide, as it 

travels northward toward Cairo from Lake Nasser on the Sudanese border in front of the Aswan 

High Dam. Just north of Cairo, the Nile spreads out to form a fertile delta about 250 kilometers 

(150 miles) wide at the seaward base and about 160 kilometers from south to north. 

Before the construction of dams on the Nile, particularly the Aswan High Dam (started in 

1960, completed in 1970), the fertility of the Nile Valley was sustained by the water flow 

and the silt deposited by the annual flood. Sediment is now obstructed by the Aswan High 

Dam and retained in Lake Nasser. The interruption of yearly, natural fertilization and the 

increasing salinity of the soil has been a manageable problem resulting from the dam. The 

benefits remain impressive: more intensive farming on thousands of square kilometres 

of land made possible by improved irrigation, prevention of flood damage, and the 

generation of millions of gigajoules of electricity at low cost. 


1.5. Main Industries 

The main industries in Egypt are tourism, Iron and steel, cement, engineering industries, 

petrochemicals, chemical industries (especially fertilizers and pharmaceuticals), plastic 

products, military production, textiles, ICT and food industries. The ICT, Information and 

Communication Technology, represents one of the newly emerging sectors in the Egyptian 

industry. Egyptian Industry will be studied in a separate section. 

1.6. Mineral and Energy Sources 

Fig. 2 

Oil Production and Consumption 

Egypt’s mineral and energy resources include petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, gold 

and iron ore. Crude oil is found primarily in the Gulf of Suez and in the Western Desert. 

Natural gas is found mainly in the Nile Delta, off the Mediterranean Sea shore, and in 

the Western Desert. Oil and gas accounted for approximately 14,8 % of GDP in the year 

2006. Crude oil production has been in decline for several years since its peak level in 

1993, from 941.000 bbl/d 1 (149.600 m³/d) in 1993 to 873.000 bbl/d (138.800 m³/d) in 

1997 and to 696.000 bbl/d (110.700 m³/d) in 2005. (See Figure). At the same time, the 

domestic consumption of oil increased steadily (531.000 bbl/d and 616.000 bbl/d (97.900 

m³/d) in 1997 and 2005 respectively. The Government of Egypt has been encouraging the 

exploration, production and domestic consumption of natural gas. Natural gas output 

continues to increase and reached 65,7 billion cubic meters in 2008. The main natural 

gas producer in Egypt is the International Egyptian Oilfield Company (IEOC), a branch of 

Italian ENI-AGIP. Egypt’s excess of natural gas will more than meet its domestic demand 

for many years to come. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has established 

expanding the Egyptian petrochemical industry and increasing exports of natural gas as 

its most significant strategic objectives. Egypt and Jordan agreed to construct the Arab 

1. billions of barrels per day 


Gas Pipeline from Al Arish to Aqaba to export natural gas to Jordan; with its completion 

in July 2003, Egypt began to export 1,1 billion cubic feet (31.000.000 m³) of gas per year. 

Total investment in this project is about $220 million. In 2003, Egypt, Jordan and Syria 

reached an agreement to extend this pipeline to Syria, which possibly could mean a future 

connection with Turkey, Lebanon and Cyprus. 

Gold mining is more recently a fast growing industry with vast untapped gold reserves 

in the Eastern Desert. There is already a gold rush and gold production facilities are now 

reality from the Sukari Hills, located close to Marsa Alam in the Eastern Desert 

With respect to nuclear energy, Egypt’s President Mubarak on October 29, 2007, gave the go 

ahead for building several nuclear power plants. Egypt’s nuclear route is purely peaceful and 

fully transparent and hopefully should not face technical and financing obstacles in the future. 

Egypt is a member of the IAEA and has both signed and ratified the Nuclear Nonproliferation 

Treaty (NPT). Currently, a draft Law on Nuclear Energy is being reviewed by the IAEA and 

expected to be passed by the Egyptian Parliament in 2008. Many other countries in the region, 

including Libya, Jordan, Morroco, and Yemen aspire to build nuclear power plants. 

1.7. External Trade 

Egypt’s main exports consist of natural gas, and non-petroleum products such as readymade 

clothes, cotton textiles, medical and petrochemical products, citrus fruits, rice 

and dried onion, and more recently cement, steel, and ceramics. Exports value rose to 

$24,22 billion f.o.b in 2006. Egypt’s main imports consist of pharmaceuticals and nonpetroleum 

products such as wheat, maize, cars and cars’spare parts. Export partners 

were Italy 12,2%, US 11,4%, Spain 8,6%, UK 5,6%, France 5,4%, Syria 5,2%, Saudi Arabia 

4,4%, Germany 4,2%. Egypt’s Balance of Payments made a surplus of US$ 4478 million 

in FY 2 2005 compared to a deficit of US$ 158 million in FY2004. Egypt’s trade balance in 

goods and services was US$ (-3,87) billion in FY2006 (UN Data). In the Arab world, Egypt 

has the largest non-oil GDP as of 2005. The gross external debt of Egypt, including the 

total public and private debt owed to non-residents repayable in foreign currency, goods, 

or services is estimated at US$ 29.898 million at the end of FY 2007. 

One major Egyptian success grew out of a provision in U.S. trade law designed to promote 

Arab-Israeli reconciliation. In 2004, the U.S. approved plans for Egypt to export to the 

USA products made in special export zones. So long as the goods derived at least 11,7% 

of their value from Israeli inputs, they could enter the USA duty-free. Annual sales and 

workforce of related companies nearly doubled. 

1.8. Public Finances 

On the revenues side, total revenues of the government were EGP 78,32 billion (€ 14,17 billion) 

in FY2002 and are projected to reach EGP 184,7 billion (€ 22,9 billion) in FY2008. Much of the 

increase came from a rise in tax revenues, particularly personal income and corporate taxes 

2 Fiscal year 


which constituted the bulk of total domestic taxes, due to recent tax reforms. This trend is likely 

to gradually widen the tax base in the forthcoming years. Revenues, however, have remained 

more or less constant (about 21%) as a percentage of the GDP over the past few years. 

On the expenditures side, strong expenditure growth has remained a main feature of 

the budget. This is mainly a result of continued strong expansion of (1) the public-sector 

wages driven by government pledges. Wages and Compensations increased from EGP 

30,5 billion (€ 7,02 billion) in FY2002 to EGP 59,6 billion (€ 7,39 billion) in FY2008; (2) high 

interest payments on the public debt stock. Interest payments rose from EGP 21,8 billion 

(€ 5 billion) in FY2002 to EGP52,0 billion (€ 6,45 billion) in FY2008. Importantly, dramatic 

increase in domestic debt which is projected to be roughly 62% of GDP in FY2008 up from 

58,4% in FY2002; and (3) the costs of food and energy subsidies, which rose from EGP 

18,0 billion (€ 4,15 billion) in FY2002 to EGP 64,5 billion (€ 8 billion) in FY2008. 

The overall deficit, after adjusting for net acquisition of financial assets, remains almost 

unchanged from the cash deficit. The budget’s overall deficit of EGP 43,8 billion (€ 10,07 

billion) or -10,2% of GDP for FY2002 has become 49,2 billion (€ 6,35 billion) in FY2007, so 

that is narrowed to -6,7% of GDP. Deficit is financed largely by domestic borrowing and 

revenue from privatization sales, which became a standard accounting practice in budget 

Egypt. The government aims at more sales of assets in FY2008. 

1.9. Exchange Rate policy 

The exchange rate policy is linked to US Dollar. With the turn of the new millennium, Egypt 

introduced a managed float regime and successfully unified the Pound exchange rate visà-vis 

foreign currencies. Currency black markets do not exist anymore. The transition to 

the unified exchange rate regime was completed in December 2004. Shortly later, Egypt 

has notified the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it has accepted the obligations of 

Article VIII, Section 2, 3, and 4 of the IMF Articles of Agreement, with effect from January 

2, 2005. IMF members accepting the obligations of Article VIII undertake to refrain from 

imposing restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for current international 

transactions, or from engaging in discriminatory currency arrangements or multiple 

currency practices, except with IMF approval. Egypt thus assured the international 

community that it will pursue economic policies that will not impose restrictions on the 

making of payments and transfers for current international transactions unnecessary, and 

will contribute to a multilateral payments system free of restrictions. 

In the fiscal year 2004 and over most of the fiscal year 2005, the pound depreciated 

against the US Dollar. Since the second half of the fiscal year 2006 until the present time, 

the pound gradually appreciated to EGP 5,35 per USD. 

1.10. Investment 

Egypt’s location astride trade routes linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe is a key 

selling point when officials meet with potential investors. So far, the government has done 

well competing against nations such as Turkey for the right to host companies looking for 

an export platform to serve consumers in Africa and the Middle East. 


From just $ 450 million five years ago, foreign direct investment rose to more than $ 10 

billion last year. One key: Egypt has been among the principal beneficiaries of a torrent 

of oil dollars coming from countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

The USA was the leading source of capital last year, though it ranks eighth in cumulative 

investment. Major American corporations such as Citibank, General Motors and Procter & 

Gamble have sizable stakes here. 

A large share of foreign investment has originated with neighbouring Arab states that are 

putting their petrodollars into speculative real estate projects. 

“The region is flush with money. Traditionally, this used to be destined for investments in 

North America and Europe. “Now, these investors are increasingly looking at opportunities 

closer to home.” 

The largest U.S. investor is Apache Corp., a Houston-based energy company that first 

began exploring for oil and gas deposits in 1994. About one-fifth of the company’s $ 

3,2 billion in first-quarter production revenue came from beneath the Egyptian desert. 

A continuing flow of foreign capital is critical for the government’s hopes of boosting 

investment economy wide. Investment now equals about 22% of total output, up from 17% 

three years ago, but still well below the government’s goal of about 27%. Egypt’s foreign 

investment — once heavily concentrated in oil and gas — has grown more diverse as 

investors have broken ground for factories producing fertilizers, chemicals and consumer 

products. But last year, more than one-third of foreign investment went into privatizations 

of large state-owned enterprises, such as the Bank of Alexandria and the Omar Effendi 

department store. Such deals typically lead to substantial job losses as bloated state 

payrolls are trimmed. 

Turning to domestic investments, the Egyptian equity market is one of the most developed 

in the region with more than 633 listed companies. Market capitalization on the exchange 

doubled in 2005 from USD 47,2 billion to USD 93,5 billion, with turnover surging from USD 

1,16 billion in January 2005 to USD 6 billion in January 2006. 

Private Equity has not been widely used in Egypt in the past as a source of funding for 

businesses. The government, however, has instituted a number of policy changes and 

reforms specifically intended to develop internal private equity funds and to attract private 

equity funding from international sources. 

The major industries include textiles, hydrocarbon and chemical production, and generic 

pharmaceutical production. Unemployment is high at about 10%. 

Major fiscal reforms were introduced in 2005 in order to tackle the informal sector which 

according to estimates represents somewhere between 30% to 60% of GDP. Significant 

tax cuts for corporations were introduced for the first time in Egyptian history. The new 

Income tax Law No 91 for 2005 reduced the tax rate from 40% to 20%. According to 

government figures, tax filing by individuals and corporations increased by 100%. 

Many changes were made to cut trade tariffs. Among the legislator’s goals were tackling 

the black market, reducing bureaucracy and pushing through trade liberalization 


measures. Amendments to Investment and Company law were introduced in order to 

attract foreign investors. For example, the number of days required for establishing a 

company was dramatically reduced. 

Significant improvement to the domestic economic environment increased investors’ 

confidence in Egypt. The Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange is considered among the best 

ten emerging markets in the world. The changes to the policy also attracted increased 

levels of foreign direct investment in Egypt. According to the UN Conference on Trade and 

Development’s World Investment Report, Egypt was ranked the second largest country in 

attracting foreign investment in Africa. 

Given the large number of amendments to laws and regulations, Egypt has succeeded 

to a certain extent in conforming to international standards. Very recently the Cairo & 

Alexandria Stock Exchange (CASE) was welcomed with full membership into the World 

Federation of Exchanges (WFE) — the first Arab country to be invited. 

In April 2008, The IFC — the private sector arm of the World Bank Group — signed a 

memorandum of understanding with Egypt’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) that 

seeks to streamline and decentralize the process of obtaining industrial licenses, reducing 

cost and time needed to register a company. Over the next two years, the project will 

help create an integrated platform for business start-up procedures at the national level. 

Managed by the IFC, the project will involve the government as well as the private sector 

in identifying issues that hinder processes for obtaining licenses and permits. IFC will 

introduce international best practices, replicate pilot reforms at the municipal level, and 

streamline approval procedures required by public entities. 

1.11. Challenges 

The development of the Egyptian economy is facing some challenges which must be dealt 

with. Some of these challenges are: 

• Living conditions of the average Egyptian must be improved as government subsidies 

are abolished. It is taking time before improvements in the macro economy reaches 

the population. About 19,6% of the Egyptian population have some degree of poverty. 

Metropolitan areas are the least poor (5,7%). The government is currently employing 

recently completed poverty map as tool for geographic targeting of public resources. 

• The past five years, the official unemployment rate has declined from 11% to about 9%. 

Investments and privatization influence employment. Egypt must produce more than 

600.000 new jobs each year just to keep pace with new entrants into the labour force. 

• The global food crisis has a strong impact on the limited income group. 

• Training to produce qualified workers must be strongly encouraged to meet the demands 

of the growing private sector. 

• The inflation rate must be controlled. 

• Business transparency must be increased and bribery and unfair practices controlled. 


1.12. Summary 

Year 2006/07 will remain distinct in terms of economic performance and development 

in Egypt. This is not only because this year has witnessed the highest economic growth 

rate ever achieved in recent years (7,1%), but also because of the sustainability of this 

high rate for the second consecutive year, after reaching 6,8% in 2005/06; which implies 

the possibility of sustaining the momentum of economic growth. Also, the continued 

escalation of the pace of development is not the only hallmark of the year 2006/07, but 

its accomplishment is also shaped by the leading role of the basic sectors. For instance, 

the industrial sector (in abroad definition) grew by 7,3 % and contributed by 30% of 

GDP increase; the construction and transport sectors contributed together by 16%, 

and agriculture by 13%. These developments ascertain the diversity and the balanced 

production structure that feature the Egyptian economy. 

The above characteristics reflect the increased effectiveness and efficiency of current 

economic policy in ameliorating the business climate, and raising confidence in the 

economic potential and prospects of the country. A sum of LE 155 billion of investments 

have been pumped into the economy, raising the investment rate from 18,7% to 21,2%. 

Private sector investments accounted for the largest share; amounting to about LE 

96 billion during the year, a figure which is 45% higher than that of last year. The 

analysis of GDP components reveals a 4% increase in real household consumption in 

2006/07. However, the real challenge remains in seeking ways of broadening the base 

of beneficiaries from economic growth and consumption increase. The dynamic features 

gained by the Egyptian economy during the last two years – and which have grown 

substantially during the fiscal year 2006/07 – have contributed to the enlargement of 

the absorptive capacity of the labor market. However, despite the large increase in the 

number of employed persons and the slight reduction in unemployment rate; the most 

difficult challenge that is still facing policy makers is how to speed up the growth of the 

economy further to allow for the creation of 750 thousand jobs a year that would ensure 

full eradication of unemployment. 


2. Industry in Egypt 

2.1. Introduction 

Egypt was known for ages as an agricultural country and the governors never paid 

attention to industry till the beginning of 19th Century. Egypt witnessed a huge industrial 

revival when Muhammad Ali created a great industrial base including textile, sugar, 

cooking oil squeezing, rice mills and the military industries flourished. A shipyard and 

factories for preparation of chemical materials were established. The industrial revival 

declined during the following periods till the end of World War I. 

Misr Bank was founded in 1920 with Egyptian capital led a campaign to revive the Egyptian 

industry. The bank succeeded in establishing an industrial base that included a chain of 

great companies and factories which succeeded in establishing an advanced Egyptian 

industry. The July 1952 Revolution launched a number of pioneering heavy industry 

projects such as iron and steel, mining, petroleum, chemical, spinning and weaving and 

food industries. 

The period from 1967 to 1973 negatively affected the performance of the industrial sector 

due to war and it was revived again after 1973 when the open-door economy policy was 

actively embraced. 

As peace prevailed, Egypt began a new stage of industrial development. By virtue of the 

economic reform policy that started in 1990s of the past century, the role of the private 

sector increased in achieving industrial development. The industrial sector enjoyed a wide 

variety of privileges and incentives to investors. 

At the early beginning of 21st century, Egypt has started a stage of reviving the Egyptian 

industry and both industry and both foreign and internal Trade under one ministry in the 

government. Modernization of Egyptian industry was essential for quality improvement of 

products in order to provide a stronger competition within the World economy. Besides, an 

atmosphere suitable for industrial and commercial activities was necessary to encourage 

the private sector in assuming the main role in achieving economic development. 

2.2. Industrial Investment 

Egypt has recently witnessed a marked improvement in the atmosphere of investment 

due to several elements topped by amending customs tariffs, issuing the new tax 

law, launching the Great Free Arab Trade Zone beginning January 2005, issuing the 

law of Investment No. 13 of 2005 that aims to facilitate the procedures of investment 

through establishing the unified service centers, establishing the public Association 

of Industrial Development that is in charge of the industrial developing policies and 

responsible for developing the industrial areas which is qualified to attract industrial 

investment. 

More land was allocated to the Industrial Development Authority which reduced the price 

of land and facilitated bank lending. Reduction of the price of land and energy combined 


with a low labor cost help to attract foreign industrial investment into Egypt. 

Egypt has 90 industrial areas which are considered attractive to investors due to the 

offered privileges and incentives. The areas allocated to these cities reached about 

657 km2 in 2005 spread all over the governorates. There are seven public free zones in 

Egypt equipped with utilities and infrastructure. They enjoy good incentives, investment 

privileges, guarantees and tax exemption. These zones are located near ports as 50 

percent of their production must be exported. 

Investment activity can be conducted in Egypt inside the private free zones provided 

that the project has actually started its activity, will have satisfied rules specified by the 

regulations and has generated exports of more than 50 percent of its production. 

In 2005/06 the Industrial Development Authority agreed to allocate land for 120 industrial 

projects with an investment cost of LE 2,7 billion providing about 70 thousand job 

opportunities. 1,3 square kilometer was allocated to foreign investors who started 22 

companies on 21 percent of the allocated area. 

It should be noted that Egypt has a wealth of minerals. Copper, titanium, tin and 

manganese, iron, gold, tungsten, chrome, phosphate, talc, sulphur, gypsum, potassium 

and sodium salts, quartz, glass sand, precious stones and ornamental stones are present 

at commercial levels. 

2.3. Industrial Sectors Structure 

The past five years have witnessed a rise in the total number of industrial facilities. They 

reached more than 27 thousand facilities in 2005 against 24,5 thousand in 2000 with an 

increase rate 10 percent. The newly registered facilities in the first half of 2006 reached 

2.888 facilities. 

The industrial sector structure is characterized by clear concentration on the micro 

facilities. In 2005 there were 18.868 micro facilities at a rate of 70% of the total facilities 

and 5.065 small facilities with a rate of 19 percent while the large facilities represented 6 

percent of the total facilities. 

Most of the working industrial facilities are specialized in weaving and textile, ready 

made garments and leather with a rate of 22 percent. The tobacco, foods and beverages 

industries with a rate of 20 percent for each. 

The total of the investment costs in the registered industrial facilities reached LE 309 

billion in 2005. The large industrial facilities netted 88 percent of the implemented 

industrial investments, the average facilities 6 percent and small facilities 4 percent. 

The industrial production amounted to LE 254,1 billion in 2005. The volume of the large 

facility production reached LE 203 billion with a rate of 79,8 percent. The average facilities 

production reached LE 25,4 billion with a rate of 10 percent and the volume of small 

facilities production reached about LE 20 billion with a rate of 8 percent. 

23 2. Industry in Egypt

2.4. Recent Industrial Programs 

2.4.1. The one thousand factories program 

The program which will been carried out during 2006-11 aims at encouraging the 

partnership between the private sector and the bank sector to build one thousand large 

factories subject to international standards and expanding the present factories with 

investments higher than LE 15 million. 

The year 2006 has witnessed an involvement with 110 large factories with an 

implementation rate of 122 percent within the period January – September. 

The number of new factories that began production reached 62 factories while 48 factories 

have witnessed expansion with a rate of 43%. The investment costs reached LE 5.644 

million. The cost of the new factories was LE 3.599 and the expansion cost was about LE 

2.045 million. This activity provided 26.128 extra jobs with 17.197 jobs in the new factories. 

2.4.2. Business market program 

The program aims at financing 2000 small and overage projects in the fields of industry 

and productive services that have the ability of quick operation. Their investments range 

from LE 5 million to LE 15 million for the average project and less than LE 5 million for the 

small one. The number implemented factories during the period January-September/2006 

reached 436 projects. 

2.4.3. The Egyptian industry modernization Program 

In the framework of Egyptian – European partnership, Egypt began to implement the 

modernization program since the fiscal year 2002/03. The program aims at increasing 

the competitiveness of Egyptian products to allow the country to be integrated within 

the global economy. This will lead to the increase of the industrial export volume and the 

creation of more jobs. 

The modernization program costs 437 million EURO, the European Union contributed 250 

million euros or 59 percent of the total cost. The program has benefited 430 industrial 

facilities during the first three years. The Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) has 

assumed the full supervision on implementing the program since 2005/06. The center 

succeeded in implementing the program in 3.400 facilities within the modernization plan 

with a financing volume of 146 million EURO during this year 145,6 million EURO were 

allocated to finance the modernization program during 2006/07 to allow a total of 7.300 

facilities to have benefited from the program. 

The IMC, in cooperation with the Union of Industries and the banking system, plan to 

pump LE 70 billion to finance the implementation of the 1000 factories program during 

2005/2011. This will participate in raising the industrial growth rate from 5 percent to 9 

percent within this period and will increase direct job opportunities by 1,5 million. The 


job opportunities will thus increase from 2,4 million to 3,9 million. Industrial exports are 

expected to increase from LE 18 billion to LE 42 billion within the mentioned period. 

2.5. Protecting The Environment 

In June 1997, the responsibility of Egypt’s first full time Minister of State for Environmental 

Affairs was assigned as stated in the Presidential Decree no.275/1997. From thereon, 

the new ministry has focused, in close collaboration with the national and international 

development partners, on defining environmental policies, setting priorities and 

implementing initiatives within a context of sustainable development. 

According to the Law 4/1994 for the Protection of the Environment, the Egyptian 

Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) was restructured with the new mandate to substitute 

the institution initially established in 1982. At the central level, EEAA represents the 

executive arm of the Ministry. The Principal Functions of the Agency Include: 

• Formulating environmental policies. 

• Preparing the necessary plans for Environmental protection and Environmental 

development projects, following up their implementation, and undertaking Pilot Projects. 

• The Agency is the National Authority in charge of promoting environmental relations 

between Egypt and other States, as well as Regional and International Organizations. 

2.6. The Industrial Production Development 

In the framework of the efforts exerted by industrial sector to support the Egyptian industrial 

products in occupying a suitable position in international markets, the productivity of a 

number of basic industries was significantly increased during the past twenty five years. In 

addition, such new hi-tech fields such as micro-electronic industries were introduced. 

The industrial structure in Egypt is based on seven industries representing 80 percent 

of the industrial facilities. The country’s three top industries are textiles, food and 

beverages. Furniture, minerals, chemicals and metallurgy are also major industries. 

In regard to the distribution of industrial production sector in 2005, it was remarkable 

that the engineering, electronic and electric industries ranked first with 30 present of the 

industrial production volume. Then tobacco, foods and beverage sector with 23 percent, 

the chemical industries with 15 percent and the weaving and spinning, clothing and 

leather products with 10 percent. 

These are the most important four sector in the Egyptian economy in terms of the number 

of industrial facilities, their participation in the total industrial production and their 

capacity to absorb labor force and offered wages level. In 2005 they obtained 78 percent 

of industrial investments and 79 percent of labor force. 

The volume of production has been regularly growing in many industries. In 2005/06 the 


spinning and weaving industry produced 305 thousand tons and 315,1 million pieces of 

ready-made garments. Construction and building material plants put out 33 million tons of 

cement and fifty million tons of reinforcement steel. Considering the food industry, 1645 

thousand tons of sugar were produced in the same fiscal year. 

In the poultry area, fodder production was more than10 million tons. In the fertilizer 

industry, 11 million tons of azotic fertilizers and about 1,4 million tons of phosphate 

fertilizers were produced. 

2.7. Improving The Quality of Egyptian Industrial Products 

Ministry of foreign trade and Industry was mandated to emphasize the concept of 

“quality” as a national motto to the next stage aiming to raise competitive capacity 

of the Egyptian product, to standardize specifications of industrial products with the 

international ones and identify the environmental specifications of such products for 

international demand and for Europe in particular. 

The ministry succeeded in putting and implementing an integrated plan to revive the 

quality of the Egyptian products. The Egyptian standardized specifications were identified 

with the international and European ones. Egyptian specifications were issued for food, 

engineering, chemical spinning and weaving industries and covered 6.000 items. 

Setting the first electronic map of quality in Egypt and Launching it on the Internet to 

introduce all the companies that obtained the quality measures and European safety mark 

to the world. A national institute for quality was established in cooperation with the Arab 

Academy for Modern Technology. 

2.8. Industrial Exports 

The five years (2001/05) have witnessed a remarkable increase in the total Egyptian 

exports. The total export volume increased from $ 4,2 billion in 2001 to $ 10,7 billion 

in 2005 at a rate of 156 percent. The petroleum exports contributed the greatest share 

in the volume of Egyptian exports reaching 49 percent of the total exports in 2005. The 

volume of non-petroleum export increased from $ 2,3 billion in 2001 to $ 4,2 billion in 

2005. Egyptian exports increased to about $ 8,5 billion in May 2006 at a rate of increase 

46 percent from the targeted plan for the fiscal year 2005/06. This reflects the successful 

development of new export methods which were laid by the councils of export and the 

Council for the Developing of Export. 

The foods industrial sector made a dramatic leap in its exports during the first half of the 

fiscal year 2005/06 with an increase of 49 percent against the same period of the past year. 

These exports reached LE 2,127 billion. The agricultural exports witnessed a remarkable 

development reaching a growth rate of 54 percent during the last five years. Rice, potatoes 

and orange make up 61 percent of Egypt’s agricultural exports (except of cotton). Non 

petroleum Communities witnessed a remarkable increase during (2001/05), they increased 

at a rate of 84 percent to reach $ 3 billion in 2005 against $ 1,6 billion in 2001. 


Italy topped the importer list of Egyptian products. USA, Italy and Spain rank the first 

of trade volume with Egypt. The European Union represents the most important bloc in 

regard to trade with Egypt with a rate of 25 percent in 2005. The Asian Countries rank 

second with a rate of 18 percent, the Arab Countries rank third with 17 percent and the 

North American Countries rank fourth with a rate of 9.5 percent. 

2.9. Summary 

With the appointment of the current cabinet of ministries in July 2004, the Government 

of Egypt has revived a stalled economic reform program which was initially introduced in 

1991. As a result, the cabinet economic team has simplified and reduced tariffs and taxes, 

improved the transparency of the national budget, revived stalled privatizations of public 

enterprises, and adopted policies to improve competitiveness. Consequently a moderate 

revival started in 2004 with a 4,1% GDP growth rate, followed by a very dynamic and 

sustained economic expansion recording a rate of more than 7% for 2007. But inflation 

and unemployment must be dealt with. 

Despite the ongoing reforms, the economy is still hampered by government intervention, 

substantial subsidies for food, housing & energy, and bloated public sector payrolls. 

Moreover, the public sector still controls most of the heavy industry. Agriculture 

contributes nearly 14% to the GDP and employs nearly one-third of the active population. 

Warm weather and plentiful water (thanks to Nile river) permit several crops a year. 

The main crops are cereals, cotton and sugarcane. In the manufacturing sector, food 

processing industry has developed considerably and now contributes 17% to the GDP. 

However, the Egyptian economy relies heavily on tourism, oil and gas exports and Suez 

Canal revenues. Oil and gas sector accounts for approximately 12% of the GDP. 

The Egyptian market has been opening up gradually, especially since the EU-Egypt 

Association Agreement which came into force in June 2004. The top three export partners 

are: Italy, the USA and Spain. Its top three import partners are: the USA, Germany and 

China. Egypt mainly exports mineral fuels & oils, cotton, and iron & steel; while as it 

mainly imports consumer electronic and capital goods, nuclear reactors and boilers, 

cereals, food products, and Chemicals. 


3. Education in Egypt 


Current educational philosophy in Egypt is the product of three cultural heritages: British, 

secular (westernized) Egyptian, and Islamic (traditional) Egyptian. The British protectorate 

in Egypt left an exclusionary, state-controlled education system structured to serve elite 

(British) interests with little concern for the masses. The heritage was one of restricted 

opportunity, unenforced limited education (generally of poor quality), and higher 

education reserved mostly for the elite. Egyptians and non-English foreigners were left few 

options but to expand private and religious education. 

Muhammad Ali, regarded as the father of modern Egypt and its education system, 

introduced a secular, modern, western educational philosophy complete with sciences. 

Egyptian leaders since the bloodless revolution that ended the monarchy in 1952 have 

espoused this approach, viewing it as essential to Egyptian development. Islamic 

education remained in place and, eventually, the traditional Islamic and the western 

educational tracks, with their differing orientations, created a dichotomized educational 

culture that persists to the present. 

The Islamic heritage provides an educational system, parallel to public education, that is 

basically a system of transmitting culture. The Arab/Muslim heritage carries an orientation 

that transcends national boundaries to include all Arabs and Muslims. From 1952 on, Nasser 

offered free education, not only for Egyptians, but also for students from other Muslim 

countries. At the same time, Egypt sent teachers and administrators out to the rest of the Arab 

world where they set up and staffed schools and universities on a large scale. 

Egypt’s educational system both reflects and augments the socio-economic status of its own 

people. Historic conflicts between tradition and innovation, and between foreign and national 

interests all influence contemporary Egyptian education. Education in Egypt has political, 

social, and economic objectives, namely: education for strengthening democracy and 

comprehensive development as a continuous process, within the framework of Arab culture. 

Throughout the past 40 years, the strong autocratic government sometimes conflicted 

with the democratization efforts in schools; nevertheless, the number of schools and 

technical schools increased even in times of economic downturns. 

There is an abiding belief in Egyptian education. It is viewed as vital to the transmission of 

cultural values and as a critical force in individual development and in national Egyptian 

development. Pre-university education reflects the dual secular and religious philosophies 

as it aims to develop the learner culturally, scientifically, and nationally at successive 

levels “with the aim of developing the Egyptian individual who is faithful to his God, his 

homeland, and to the values of good, truth, and humanity”. Pre-university education 

is supervised by the Ministry of Education while the Ministry of Higher Education and 

Scientific Research is responsible for university and higher Institute level education. 

The public education system consists of three stages: the basic education stage for 

4-15 year-olds (kindergarten for two years followed by primary school for six years and 


preparatory school for three years); the secondary school stage for three years, generally 

for ages 15 to 18; and the university stage. Education is compulsory for 8 years between 

the ages of 6 and 15. All levels of education are tuition-free at all government schools and 

institutions. In 1993, more than 13,8 million people were enrolled in state education at 

all levels. In five years, that figure grew by 5 million. Ninety-one percent of all school-age 

children were enrolled in school in 1991. When this figure is adjusted for school dropouts 

and students repeating grades, the enrollment figures drop to 70-84 percent. In 1996, the 

total official enrollment in primary, preparatory, and secondary schools topped 14 million, 

the equivalent of 88 percent of the school-age population (boys, 94 percent; girls, 82 

percent). In 1998-1999, some 17 million students were enrolled. 

Rural-urban inequities continue to persist; in 1991-1992, rural enrollments often did not 

exceed 50 percent of the appropriate age group. Gender inequities also persist; fewer 

female than male students are enrolled. Many girls drop out of school at the end of their 

basic compulsory program either to work or to marry. A law prohibiting girls from marrying 

prior to age 16 has slowly begun to affect the female dropout rates. 

The planning process, especially at the basic education level, begins at the bottom as 

governate officials submit new project proposals (schools, classrooms, equipment, and 

teachers) and budget requests every year to the Ministry of Education. 

3.2. Basic Education 

Preschool education: Within the Ministry of Education, a Higher Council for Childhood 

supervises and coordinates preschool education with other concerned authorities. By 

ministerial decree, preschool education is intended to aid mental, physical, social, 

moral, and emotional development; develop language skills and numerical and technical 

abilities, especially creativity and imagination; raise children in a better environment; help 

children develop good personalities; and help children gradually accept formal school life 

and discipline. 

In 1995-1996 there were 2.060 preschools staffed by 10.913 teachers, enrolling 266.502 

students. Preschool enrollment included 80 percent of the children in the relevant age group 

(boys, 86 percent, and girls, 74 percent). There are no periods in the preschool day; days are 

filled with activities and experiences to help children develop their spiritual, moral, physical, 

social, and emotional domains. Homework or outside duties are strongly discouraged. 

All preschool institutions, whether state run or privately operated, are under the Ministry 

of Education, educationally, technically, and administratively. The Ministry selects and 

distributes textbooks; the use of any additional textbooks is forbidden. Guidelines state 

that each class is to have two teachers and a helper in addition to a music teacher. The 

maximum class size is 45 students. No child less than 4-years-old is allowed in state 

preschool classes or schools. 

Primary Education: Primary school is also concerned with physical, social, moral, and 

emotional development, as well as with giving children the knowledge and technical 

29 3. EDUCATION in Egypt

skills needed for a successful practical life. Students may attend non-government private 

schools, religious schools, or government schools. Primary schools enroll 60 percent of 

the total school population for all levels of schooling in Egypt. Approximately 45 percent 

of the primary students are girls, and the majority of primary teachers are women. English 

and French private schools are growing in popularity as bilingualism gives children 

social and academic privileges and later lucrative employment. Primary schools served 

7,5 million students in 1995-1996. In the same year, the Al-Azhar Moslem system served 

704.446 students in 1.912 primary schools with another 147.762 students enrolled in 1.030 

preparatory schools. 

Preparatory Education: An important function of preparatory education is to provide a 

safeguard against illiteracy as early school dropouts tend to lapse back into illiteracy. The 

enrollments in preparatory schools in the 1990s totaled 3.679.325, less than half that of the 

primary schools. Preparatory schools reflect the attrition occurring in the final primary year. 

3.3. High School Education 

The second tier of compulsory education (grades 7 through 9) lasts for three years. 

Students completing the primary part of basic education can complete the second part 

in general preparatory schools, in vocational training centers or schools, or in vocational 

preparatory classes. Completion of this stage earns the Basic Education Completion 

Certificate or the Certificate in Vocational Basic Education. There are two types of public 

secondary education: general secondary education and technical secondary education. 

To enter general secondary education, students must pass a national exam given at the 

end of their preparatory stage. Secondary schools conduct examinations every month for 

the first two years, and students take a national exam in the final year. Those who pass 

receive the Certificate of General Secondary Education, a requirement for admission to the 

universities (accompanied by a strong academic record). A wide range of social, cultural, 

athletic, scientific, and artistic extra-curricular activities are available in secondary 

schools, usually sponsored by the teachers. Enrollment expanded significantly between 

1990-1991 and 1994-1995 in secondary school (47 percent in general secondary and 85 

percent in technical-vocational secondary). In 1994-1995, general secondary enrollment 

reached 894.400 students, while technical-vocational enrollment was more than twice as 

high at 1.893.800 students. In 1996 secondary school enrollment included 68 percent of 

the appropriate age group (boys, 71 percent; girls, 64 percent). In 1995-1996 there were 

2.753 secondary schools with 6.142.651 students and 369.107 teachers. 

In the parallel Islamic educational system, known as the Al-Azhar system, girls and 

boys attend separate schools. In 1995-1996, the Al-Azhar Moslem system operated 57 

secondary schools with 165.829 students. The curriculum is identical to the normal 

public curriculum with additional study of the Quran and Islamic sciences. Graduates are 

automatically accepted into Al-Azhar University. 

Special Education: In the year 2000 approximately 10 to 12 percent of pre-university 

students were special education students. Responsibility for the physically challenged 

is shared by the Ministry of Education (concerned with the education of the blind and 


partially sighted, deaf and partially deaf, and mentally retarded), the Ministry of Social 

Affairs (provides rehabilitation services to all disabled persons), the Ministry of Health, 

and the Ministry of Manpower. By 1994-1995, a total of 25 schools for the blind, 95 schools 

for the hearing-impaired, and 107 schools for the mentally impaired students were 

operating. Special schools and classes are provided at all levels, serving a total of 22.043 

students in 1996-1997. English language study is part of the curricula in the preparatory 

stage of basic special education. 

Government-sponsored special education schools serve the gifted and talented and the 

mentally retarded, as well as the physically challenged. Plans to identify gifted students 

in the kindergarten stage and then to provide special learning experiences for them 

were developed in 1996. In 1994-1995, some 699 new classrooms were established for 

20.790 gifted secondary students. The Ein Shams University School for the gifted was 

developed with 12 classes serving 261 children. Other special schools include private 

schools in villages attached to mosques and private foreign schools where the language of 

instruction is often not Arabic. 

3.4. Modern Instructional Methods for Basic Education 

In the early 1990s, The Center for Educational Technology was established within 

the Ministry of Education. Technology equipment is considered “as a medium for 

developing scientific thinking, problem solving, new modes of learning, and training 

and communication”. New technology planned for pre-university schools includes 

computers, projectors, television and video sets, and CDI sets. A five-year plan to equip 

10,000 schools with this new technology was completed, and 2.000 computer instructors 

were appointed to secondary schools. Advanced science laboratories were developed in 

secondary schools (1.500 laboratories with 16.500 new computers). 

By the mid-1990s, about 200 pre-university schools were linked to the Internet with 

one pre-university school working on the Globe Project, which gathers environmentallyrelated 

global data for sharing with other schools. The Center, in collaboration with 

the General Department for Educational Aids, is implementing an integrated plan to 

enhance educational aids such as transparencies, colored slides, still films, models, 

and microscopic and biological samples; to produce laser CDs for various topics in the 

curriculum starting with the very early years; and to produce videotapes and audio tapes— 

especially in the language areas (Arabic, English, and French). 

Training on the new equipment has been introduced in Cairo and will eventually take 

place in educational technology centers closer to schools. In collaboration with Egyptian 

Radio and Television, distance-training programs are being developed to assist teachers. 

Six training centers throughout the country are being connected through a fiber optic 

network to facilitate exchange of information and maximize the use of the technology. 

Multi-media laboratories, the Internet, and language and computer laboratories are being 

introduced in the colleges of education. The Egyptian University’s Network (EUN) links 

university computer centers and research institutes throughout Egypt and is the Egyptian 

gateway to the Internet. Internet use is available to all universities, faculty members, and 

31 

3. Education in Egypt

graduate students (with about 1300 users in the mid-1990’s). More than 80 organizations 

throughout Egypt can also access it. 

3.5. International Cooperation Projects for Basic Education 

Extensive foreign influence is apparent throughout Egyptian education. Examples include 

UNESCO and Fulbright support of overseas teacher training, World Bank engagement in 

distance education and educational reform as part of loan programs, and technical and 

scientific education aid using expertise, facilities, and equipment from Americans, French, 

Germans, Italians, and Japanese. UNICEF aids in development of educational materials. 

Teachers are sent overseas to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France for 

training. The Egyptian-Swiss Fund for Development works to improve primary education. 

Pan Arabic conferences set the aims and goals of education in Egypt and other nations. 

3.6. Higher Education 

Higher education is provided by universities and higher institutes of technical and 

professional training, both public and private. Responsibility for higher education lies 

mainly with the Ministry of Higher Education. Organization and administration, as well 

as academic programs, are determined by laws, decrees and government regulations. 

The State universities are under the authority of the Supreme Council of Universities. 

Universities have full academic and administrative autonomy. They also carry out 

scientific research. The higher institutes of professional and technical training award 

qualifications equivalent to the first qualification conferred by the universities. Open 

college education was introduced at the universities of Cairo, Alexandria and Assiut in 

1991. Private universities are entitled to implement their own criteria of admission and to 

set fees without intervention from the Ministry. Besides, Some Egyptian universities have 

begun to establish certain modified curricula which can be joined by students paying their 

own fees. This can represent and important source of funding as most of the students are 

constitutionally granted free education. 

The higher education system in Egypt is made up of 18 public universities with more than 

2,4 million students, 12 public non-university institutions, and 22 private universities 

providing technical and professional training. Of the 12 non-university institutions, 8 are 

two year upper secondary-level technical institutes (MTI), and four or five year higher 

education-level technical institutes. Those are joined by 115 private institutes giving the 

same type of education. There are more than 63.000 teaching staff in the Egyptian higher 

education. 

The first stage of higher education consists of four to six years of multidisciplinary study in 

basic subjects. They lead to the award of the Baccalaureate degree. In Medicine, studies 

last for six years, with one additional year of practical work. The best graduates are usually 

offered the positions of a teaching assistant. 

The second stage is more specialized and comprises two to five years of training in individual 

32 

the research and innovation system in Egypt

esearch work culminating in the submission of a thesis. The degree awarded is the Master’s 

degree. Teaching assistants are required to obtain their Master’s degree in Egypt to encourage 

local research. They will then be promoted to the position of Assistant Lecturers. 

The third stage leads to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) after at least two years’ study 

following the Master’s Degree. It is awarded for advanced research work culminating 

in a thesis. In Medicine, the degree of a Doctor in Medical Sciences may be prepared 

concurrently with the degree of a professional Doctor of Medicine. 

Assistant lecturers are usually able to obtain the necessary fellowships which allow 

them to study abroad in order to obtain the PhD degree and further to have adequate 

postdoctoral training. Upon returning home they will be appointed as lecturers. They need 

to attend some courses in education to learn how to be a good teachers. After five years 

they will be eligible for the position of an associate professor if they produce enough 

scientific publications. It will take five years more and more publications to obtain the 

position of a full professor. 

It should be mentioned that many assistant lecturers do not return back home, causing a brain 

drain problem. To face a difficult financial situation after returning home, many university staff 

members obtain temporary university positions in neighbouring countries, usually extending 

for five years. This frequently has a negative effect on their research potential. 

Non-university education is offered by industrial, commercial, and technical institutes that 

provide two-year courses leading to diplomas in accountancy, secretarial work, insurance, 

computer or health sciences and electronics. Technical education schools provide five-year 

courses leading to advanced technical education diplomas in commercial, industrial, and 

agricultural fields. 

There are three bodies for the governance and control of higher education in Egypt: the 

Ministry of Higher Education, the Supreme Council of Universities (SCU), and the Central 

Administration of Al-Azhar Institutes. The Ministry of Higher Education has jurisdiction 

over higher education through the supervision and coordination of all post-secondary 

education, planning, policy formulation, and quality control. It also oversees teacher 

training for basic education. The Supreme Council of Universities, founded in 1950, 

formulates the overall policy of university education and scientific research in universities 

and determines the number of students to be admitted to each faculty in each university. 

3.7. Modernization of Higher Education 

Various projects were initiated to modernize the higher education system in Egypt. 

Prominent among these projects are the Tempus and HEEPF projects. 

3.7.1. The Tempus Project Fund 

Since 2002, the EU Tempus project in Egypt, with most of the Egyptian Universities 

participating in a total of 64 Tempus projects. The subject areas were: Urban and Regional 

33 


Planning, Microfinance, Health Care, Open and Distance Learning, European Studies, 

Engineering and Technology, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Cultural 

Heritage, Pharmacy, Translation and Interpreting, Management and Business, Information 

Technologies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, 

Tourism and Leisure, Physical Education, and Biology. Though this project aims at encouraging 

cooperation between Egyptian, regional and international higher education systems. 

Tempus has had a strong influence on modernizing the Higher Education System in Egypt. 

The program was very timely to accompany the implementation of the Higher Education 

Enhancement Strategy that was introduced in 2000 and revised twice, in 2002 and 

2004. The main objectives of this strategy were in line with the objectives of Tempus: 

(modernization of curricula, Introduction of Quality Assurance in Higher Education, etc.). 

Although the direct impact of Tempus projects on the Egyptian Higher Education system is 

not directly visible, the program’s long term involvement in the country and the introduction 

of competitiveness in Higher Education have been the main direct outcomes. 

One of the main elements of impact of Tempus in Egypt is the introduction of quality 

education through partnerships with EU member states in different disciplines, with more 

than 170 IMG (individual Mobility Grants) grants being awarded to staff members from Egypt. 

Such a mechanism was one of the most demanded in the country, and shows the interest of 

Egyptian staff members in retraining and building bridges for cooperation. Many JEP (joint 

European projects) projects introduced new concepts and program in the education system 

and were considered as self sustainable success stories for the modernization of Higher 

Education in Egypt. Tempus has also been one of the main catalysts for the modernization. 

3.7.2. The Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF) 

Beside the Tempus project, the Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF) is 

another mechanism within the national higher education enhancement strategic plan 

(HEEP). HEEPF is part of the loan agreement dated April 2002, between the Egypt and the 

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support and Finance priority 

areas of the strategic plan of the higher Education Enhancement Project HEEP. The amount 

of the loan allocated for HEEPF Grants equal to 12.000.000 USD that was increased to 

13.000.000 USD. The project aims at an active participation in the implementation of 

the strategic plan of continuous higher education enhancement through competitive 

mechanisms to achieve distinction in Egyptian Education institutions and upgrade them to 

reach the international standards. 

By 2000, the universities generated 150.000 graduates a year. A two-semester system 

for the school year was instituted in all universities in 1992. The university academic year 

is 30 working weeks. Arabic is the medium of instruction in humanities, social studies, 

education, law, commerce, economics and political sciences, information, social service, 

tourism and hotels. English is widely used in the faculties of medicine, pharmacology, 

dentistry science, and engineering. 

Higher education includes non-university training in Egypt in engineering and 

technological education institutes, education institutes, private institutes, technical 

34 


industrial institutes, and commercial and hotel institutes. Since the late 1970s, the 

government initiated policies to reorient postsecondary education toward technical 

training programs in agriculture, commerce, and a variety of other fields. Student 

subsidies were partially responsible for a 15 percent annual increase in enrollments in 

the country’s five-year technical institutes. In 1993-1994, 49,703 students were enrolled 

in commerce institutes (24.906 women) and 31.259 in technical institutes (9.401 women). 

Female literacy in 1927 was only 5 percent; fifty years later it was 38 percent (male literacy 

was 62 percent). The combined adult literacy rate is estimated presently at 57 percent. 

Both men and women have equal opportunity in pursuing higher education. Given that 

education is state-sponsored and that progression through school is dependent on 

test scores, the number of women in science and engineering colleges has increased 

remarkably. The female students in year 2002 reached 55,4% in pharmacology, 45,5% 

in medical schools, 58,1% in dentistry, 45,4% in veterinary, 45,8% in science colleges 

(physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and geology), 37,4% in computer science, 

and 24,5% in engineering as shown in Fig.2. Women getting accepted into science and 

engineering schools are not likely to drop out because they have reached this position 

after a tough competition that screened all students and proved that they are capable of 

pursuing these studies. Moreover, higher education in Egypt is free. 

35 


Table 4 

Performance Indicators of the HEEPF University Education Project 

HEEPF 

Objectives 

Create a 

competitive 

environment 

to improve 

and enhance 

Higher 

Education 

Institutes 

Increase 

collaboration 

with the 

community 

Output/Outcome 

563 proposals have 

been submitted 

over 4 Cycles where 

158 projects were 

selected for fund in 

Egyptian universities 

are funded. (41 in 

the 1st, 36 in the 

2nd, 36 in the 3rd 

and 45 in the 4th 

cycle). 

Contractual 

budget for the 

funded projects 

=13.884.096 US$ 

83 projects have 

been successfully 

submitted. 

Establishment of 

relations with the 

community 

Performance Indicators 

HE Institutions participated in 

the HEEPF projects 

Faculties participated in the 

HEEPF projects 

Direct beneficiaries 

Indirect beneficiaries 

Faculty members participated 

in the HEEPF Projects. 

17 universities, 5 T/C & 

MOHE. 

90 

121.722 undergraduate 

students and 100.915 

other categories 

89.899 undergraduate 

students and 209.747 

other categories 

3.540 

New under-graduate programs 5 

New postgraduate programs 35 

Upgraded under-graduate 10 

curricula 

Upgraded post-graduate 44 

curricula 

Upgraded and developed 509 

courses 

Laboratories upgrading 122 

Simulation/Virtual labs 

71 Experiments 

E-learning and on-line courses 519 electronic courses 

Knowledge resources 7 

IT projects 16 

MIS, HMS & Database 9 

Quality assurance systems 15 

Management and reform of 9 

higher education institutes. 

Specialized/interdisciplinary 57 

centers have been incorporated 

with HEEPF projects. 

Cooperation protocols with 39 

community organizations have 

been signed and activated. 

Specialized units for 

64 

sustainability purposes 

Source: Ministry of Higher Education, Egypt 

36 


4. Science in Egypt 


Egypt is aiming to achieve a high standard of academic achievement while maintaining 

its cultural heritage. This ambitious aim is built on a well-founded research structure and 

a vast manpower resource of critical mass. Historically, prior to the nineteenth century, 

the ulama and Coptic clergy controlled Egypt’s traditional education. The country’s most 

important institutes were theological seminaries, but most mosques and churches – even 

in villages – operated basic schools where boys could learn to read and write Arabic, to 

do simple arithmetic, and to memorize passages from the Quran or Bible. Muhammad Ali 

established the system of modern secular education in the early nineteenth century to 

provide technically trained cadres for his civil administration and military. His grandson, 

Ismail, greatly expanded the system by creating a network of public schools at the 

primary, secondary, and higher levels. Ismail’s wife set up the first school for girls in 

1873. Between 1882 and 1922, when the country was under British administration, state 

education did not expand. However, numerous private schools, including Egypt’s first 

secular university, were established. 

4.2. Science Centers 

In the following lines a brief description of some of Egypt science facilities will be presented. 

4.2.1. Cairo University 

As detailed elsewhere in this report, Egypt at present has 18 state universities and twenty 

two private universities. While offering students the opportunity of higher studies, they 

play an important role as research centers. The presence of graduate studies in each 

department allows faculty members to carry out research work while supervising Master’s 

and PhD degree student. Publishing in international journals is strongly encouraged. We 

will offer more details regarding Cairo University, the oldest Egyptian University. 

At the beginning of twentieth century, some Egyptian social thinkers called for the 

establishment of an Egyptian University to act as a lighthouse of liberal thought and to be 

the basis of a comprehensive academic revival in all the fields of knowledge in order to be 

able to cope with the international scientific and academic advancement. 

The university finally came into being and it was officially inaugurated on December 21, 

1908. Study began at the university in the evening of the inauguration day in the form of 

general lectures to be given in diverse places until an official location was found. The first 

concern of the University was to send some of their distinguished students to Europe to 

obtain their Ph.D. and then come back to teach at the university. 

The University also established a library that contained invaluable books and treatises 

that were authored by Egyptians and non-Egyptians alike. As a result of the University’s 

accomplishments, the government decided to establish a State University in 1917 and set 

37 

4. Science in Egypt

up committee to study the project. The committee suggested that the Higher Schools be 

upgraded to the university level and annexed to the existing colleges. School of Law and 

School of Medicine were thus annexed to the State University in February 12, 1923. It was 

agreed that the old University would merge into new one, with the Faculty of Arts as the 

core. 

Fig.3 Percentage of female university students in science colleges (2000/2001) 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Medicine 

Medicine 

Engineering 

Science 

Engineering 

Science 

Dendistry 

Dendistry 

Pharmacology 

Veterinary 

Pharmacology 

Computer 

Science 

VeterinaryComputer 

Agriculture 

Agriculture 

Source: Global Alliance for Diversifying the Science and Engineering Workforce 3 

Cairo University now has 20 faculties. These are: The Faculty of Agriculture, Archaeology, 

Arts, Commerce, Computer and Information Sciences, Dar El-Ulum (Islamic Studies), 

Oral Dental Medicine, Economics and Political Sciences, Engineering, Law, Mass 

Communications, Medicine, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy, Regional and Urban Planning, 

Science, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Kindergarten Education and Specific Education. 

Besides, Cairo University has an open learning center and four institutes: The Institute 

of African Studies and Research, The Institute of Educational Studies and Research, The 

National Cancer Institute and The National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences. The 

suggestions and advice of Dr. Ahmed Zewail, the Egyptian Nobel Prize Winner, played an 

important role in establishing the Laser Institute. The Open Learning Center allows grown 

ups who wish to obtain a university degree such an opportunity. 

Each faculty allows student to choose from various specializations (departments). For 

3 http://www.globalalliancesmet.org/egypt_education.htm 

38 


example, the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University has the following Engineering 

departments: Aeronautical and Aerospace, Architectural, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, 

Computer, Electric Power and Machines, Electronics and Electrical Communication, 

Mathematics and Physics, Irrigation and Hydraulics, Mechanical Design and Production, 

Mechanical Power Mining Petroleum and Metallurgical, Public Works and Structural 

Engineering. 

The Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University, again as an example, has the following 

research Centers and Laboratories: Architectural and Engineering Design Center, 

Center for Advancement of Post-Graduate Studies and research in Engineering Sciences 

(CAPSCU), Center for Advanced Software and Biomedical Engineering Consultations, 

Center of Studies and Design for Water Projects, Center of Studies and training, Civil 

Engineering Center, Concrete Research Laboratory, Engineering Center for Archeology 

and Environment, Energy research Center, High Tech Design and Consultation Center 

(ICT), Material Testing Lab, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Research Lab, Technical Center 

for Job Promotion, Center of Manufacturing Studies, Highway and Airport Engineering 

Research, Tribology and Spare Parts Center and The Unit for Production and Management. 

University staff members are usually experienced researchers, having obtained their 

PhD degrees from prominent international centers and having gone through the usual 

postdoctoral research experience. 

This was just one example of education and research scientific activities at on Egyptian 

university. Other comparable activities can be also found at other universities such as 

Ain Shams, Alexandria, Mansoura, Assiut, the American University in Cairo, The German 

University in Cairo, etc. 

4.2.2. National Research Center (NRC) 

The National Research Centre is the largest multidisciplinary R&D Center devoted to basic 

applied research within the major fields of interest. It is the largest of all institutions affiliated 

with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research and employs about 70% of 

all scientists working in research institutions. It was established as an independent public 

organization at 1956, with the aim “to foster basic and applied scientific research particularly 

in industry, agriculture, public health and other sectors of national economy”. 

Between the sixties and eighties 6 divisions of NRC developed into independent research institutes: 

• The National Institute of Standards 

• Petroleum Research Institute 

• Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute 

• Theodore Bilharz Research Institute 

• Ophthalmology Research Institute 

• Electronics Research Institute. 

Since its establishment, the NRC has evolved through 3 distinct stages. The initial stage 

extending from 1956 to 1968, focused on man power development and building research 

39 


capacity in basic sciences. The second stage (1968-1973) was characterized by a growing 

interaction with the national production and services sectors. The third stage (1973 till 

now) concentrated on customer oriented research serving specific needs of end users. The 

scientific fields of interest span over Textile, Food and Nutrition, Pharmaceutical, Organic 

Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Mineral Resources, Engineering, Renewable Energies, 

Agriculture, Biology, Veterinary, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Genetic 

Engineering, Human genetics, Biotechnology, Physics, and New Materials. 

The NRC is marked by a basic orientation of its activities to customer-oriented research 

in order to address the national needs more effectively through scientific and technical 

research. So, it organizes its development-related activities almost into 8 major 

multidisciplinary programs, namely: 

• Environmental, Health, and Medical Research 

• Biotechnology Research 

• Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Industries Research 

• Chemical and Textile Industries Research 

• Material Sciences, Renewable Energies and Engineering Research 

• Food and Nutrition Industries Research 

• Agricultural and Animal Research 

• Natural & Basic Sciences 

4.2.3. Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI) 

CMRDI is a research center affiliated to the State Minister of Scientific Research. The 

mission of the institute is to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian industry and the 

welfare of the society through technological development and technology transfer. CMRDI 

offers services to industry covering research projects, consultancy, technical services, 

training, testing and certification. 

Over almost three decades of collaboration with Egyptian industry, these services have 

been focused on the actual demands of the client and application in the company, giving 

the institute a profile of needs pull rather than technology push. 

CMRDI has a longstanding and successful collaboration with many national and overseas 

R&D institutions, which guarantees a sound scientific basis. As a matter of fact, CMRDI 

cooperates frequently with Egyptian industry and universities to enrich research in 

various disciplines. One such case was the cooperation with the National Institute of Laser 

Enhanced Sciences and the General Company for Automobile Manufacturing in the area of 

laser material processing and how it can be applied in the car industry. 

CMRDI has also largely benefited from cooperation with international agencies such as 

JICA (Japan), TNO (Netherlands) and SIDA (Sweden). Thanks to this support, CMRDI was 

able to play an effective role in transferring many technologies to the Egyptian industries 

as well as other African and Middle-East countries. 

40 


4.2.4. National Cancer Institute (NCI) 

The National Cancer Institute – Cairo University (NCI) is fortress of cancer control in Egypt 

through developing and maintaining integrated quality programs in patient care, research, 

education and prevention. 

The NCI mission could only be accomplished by building and maintaining government and public 

trust and support, together with national and international cooperation to reach the state of the 

art in application of health care. NCI is committed to the multidisciplinary approach in cancer 

management in which different treatment modalities cooperate rather than compete. Professional 

and public educations are vital to solve the problem of the late presentation of patients. 

A network of cancer centers that covers all Egypt’s provinces was recently established. 

The NCI extended its support to these cancer centers to recruit its wealth of trained 

scientists in different disciplines of oncology diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The 

NCI extended the support by sharing its specialized facilities, know-how, labs and centers 

not only through conventional methods, but also through most advanced technologies 

such as telemedicine. The Academic Program of the NCI offers advanced training and 

professional degrees in different oncology disciplines. It is continuously being updated 

and upgraded to satisfy the needs of the advancement in medical practice and the needs 

of the Egyptian patients. The NCI views cancer as a disease that requires cost sharing 

and proper management at cancer centers. The implementation of computerized hospital 

management systems will be necessary to optimize the utilization and operation all cancer 

centers in Egypt. Most patients are actually treated free of charge through government 

subsidies and many generous public donations. 

4.2.5. Agriculture Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) 

The Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) is a discipline - oriented 

institute within the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Land 

Reclamation (MALR) - Arab Republic of Egypt. 

AGERI is the primary institute which deals with agricultural genetic engineering in Egypt. It aims at: 

• Broadening the research and development capabilities and scope of the Agricultural 

Research Center in the public and private sectors (i.e., initiation of new program areas and 

application to a wider array of crop species). 

• Expanding and diversifying the pool of highly qualified trained professionals in the area 

of biotechnology. 

• Promoting opportunities for private sector development. 

• Enhancing cooperation with collaborative public and/or private projects with 

established research units. 

• Providing opportunities for university- trained professionals (e.g. faculty, researchers 

and teachers), the Ministry of Agriculture (professional researchers) and private venture 

companies to cooperate in agricultural genetic engineering research. 

• Achieving the desired level of self-reliance and self-financing within AGERI to mobilize 

the funds necessary for the running costs of laboratories. 

41 


• Providing agricultural genetic engineering capabilities to meet Egypt’s current problems. 

• Advancing Egyptian agriculture using available genetic engineering capabilities. 

Some of the main research areas are the enhancement of virus resistance, insect 

resistance, fungal resistance and nematode resistance of plants beside enhancing their 

stress tolerance. Other projects include genome mapping and bio-molecular engineering. 

4.2.6. New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) 

Development and efficient management of primary energy resources are considered 

important pillars for sustainable development in Egypt. Energy sources are classified into 

conventional sources such as oil, natural gas and coal as well as renewable sources such 

as hydro, solar, wind and biomass sources. 

The New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) was established in 1986 to act as a 

national focal point to introduce and promote renewable energy technologies for 

potential applications, particularly generating electricity on a commercial scale together 

with implementation of related energy conservation measures. Accordingly, renewable 

energy plays a significant role in saving fossil fuel, reducing green house gas emissions, 

hence contributing to preservation of the environment. Currently, the strategy targets 

at obtaining 3% of the local electric energy demand from renewable energy resources, 

mainly wind & solar, by the year 2010, with additional contribution of other RE 

applications. 

NREA is entrusted to plan and implement renewable energy programs in coordination 

with other concerned national and international institutions within the framework of its 

mandate which includes: 

• Renewable energy resource assessment. 

• Research, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation of the different RE 

technologies focusing on solar, wind and biomass. 

• Implementation of renewable energy projects. 

• Proposing the Egyptian standard specifications for renewable energy equipment 

& systems, and conducting tests to evaluate their performance, under the Egyptian 

prevailing conditions, hence issuing respective licensing certificates to that effect. 

• Rendering of consultancy services in the field of renewable energy. 

• Technology transfer and development of local manufacturing of Renewable Energy 

equipment. 

• Education, training and information dissemination. 

4.2.7. Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications 

Mubarak City for Scientific Research & Technology Applications is the newest addition 

of research institutes in Egypt that was directed to the development and renovation of 

industry. 

42 


A decision to develop a science park in the Alexandria region was reached in 1993 in 

order to acquire and improve scientific technologies in different areas of human life. The 

City occupies 250 acres in the industrial area located at New Borg El Arab City, west of 

Alexandria. This region also embraces about 40% of the Egyptian industry. The science 

park comprises 12 research centers to be developed at different intervals. 

The objectives of the City institutes were clearly categorized to serve the development and 

renovation of industry in Egypt. These objectives can be summarized as follows: 

• Develop centers of scientific Excellence that can serve both economic and social 

developments of the Egyptian society. 

• Develop new technologies and provide new scientific methods in different fields of 

industry in order to link research programs to national development plans. 

• Provide training, consulting and technology transfer to different production and service 

agents in Egypt. 

• Conduct applicable projects to ensure better performance in different areas that can 

benefit the Alexandria region and the national economy. 

• Cooperation with different national and international institutes in the various areas of 

technology. 

4.2.8. The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) 

ITIDA is a governmental entity that has been established through Law 15 of the year 

2004. This agency aims at paving the way for the diffusion of the e-business services in 

Egypt capitalizing on different mandates of the authority such as activating the Egyptian 

e-signature law and supporting an export-oriented IT sector in Egypt. 

The main objectives of the ITIDA are: 

• Increasing exports of ICT products and services. 

• Regulating the electronic signature related activities. 

• Supporting and encouraging e-business in Egypt, especially among the small and 

medium enterprises. 

• Guiding and encouraging investments in the ICT sector. 

• Supporting R&D in the ICT sector and implementing its output. 

The ITIDA’s services include: 

• Issuing and renewing the licenses required for the certification service providers (CSP’s) 

in the field of e-signature services and electronic transactions. 

• Addressing complaints and assisting in resolving legal conflicts related to the use of 

e-signatures and electronic transactions. 

• Offering technical counseling in disputes related to e-signatures and electronic 

transactions. 

• Functioning as the registration center for original computer software put forth by organizations 

or individual publishers and producers to protect intellectual property and other rights. 

43 


5. Research, Development and Innovation in Egypt 


The structure of research and innovation activities in Egypt is presently undergoing 

significant changes. Until recently research funding suffered and strongly depended 

on international grants. There was no clear national policy of research and researchers 

usually continued to work along the same lines of research of their PhD advisors or group 

leaders, with later being related to where and what the advisor studied himself more 

than to a national plan. This resulted in research being considered by the community as 

a luxury and by researchers only as a vehicle for foreign travel and promotion. The brain 

drain problem was understandable. The lack of a national research policy whose objective 

is to solve local industrial problems together with weak links between academia and 

industry and limited funding were serious problems. 

5.2. The Structure 

Things began to change when new concepts such as the global marker began to emerge. 

It became clear that research is the only means to compete. Besides, international funding 

agencies donated grants for common research between Egyptian researchers and their 

international counterparts, with strict measures for funding. Research was carried out in 

Egypt and the brain drain problem was minimized. Egyptian research began to develop. 

Some groups began to work on modernizing industry, some to develop ICT applications, 

some began working on genetically-engineered agricultural products, etc. International 

cooperation began to achieve positive results by working closely with different ministries 

and industries. This describes the present phase. 

The problem was only partially solved that way. Local planning and funding of research 

were left for a later stage. The prime minister of Egypt will himself chair a new 18-member 

S&T council, modeled on a similar panel in Japan. The Supreme Council for Science and 

Technology will include six scientists, eight Cabinet members with research portfolios, 

as well as representatives of industry and finance. The funding shortage had to be faced. 

The planned restructuring would transfer most grant-giving functions of Egypt’s massive 

Academy of Scientific Research and Technology to the new granting agency, which will be 

called the Egyptian National Funding Agency. The academy will allow important topics to 

be investigated, but its future role will not be in funding research. 

44 


Fig.4 

Structure of Egypt’s Innovation policy measures 

Source: Medibtikar Programme 4 

5.3. Egypt’s Main Innovation Actors 

The latest European charts on innovation shows that Egypt has an innovation policy 

implemented via measures to stimulate investment, venture capital, business 

incubators, industrial modernization, small and medium enterprises development and 

entrepreneurship. There is no formal coordination body yet. The delivery of innovation 

policy is carried out via the programs of related ministries often with assistance from 

donor organizations. An important factor is the Social Fund for Development (SFD) which 

finances business centers and incubators as well as the Industrial modernization Program 

(IMP) and GAFI, the General Authority for Investment. The key drivers of innovation are 

industrial modernization and privatization of state industry. The recent appointment of 

4 http://www.medibtikar.eu/ 

45 

5. Research, Development and Innovation in Egypt

ministers with strong private sector back grounds in the areas of finance, tourism and 

industry is a positive step. 

The main innovation actors can be divided into four groups: 

Fig. 5 

The four groups of Innovation Actors 

Source: Medibtikar Programme 5 

5.3.1. Groups of Innovation Actors 

Table 5 

Group I Actors: Policy Development and Public Administration 

Organization Acronym Website 

Ministry of Investment 

The General Authority for Investment and Free Trade 

Zones 

GAFI 

www.investment.gov.eg 

www.gafinet.org 

The Industrial Modernization Center IMC www.imc-egypt.org 

The Information Society Development Office 

www.isdo.gov.eg 

The Cabinet Information and Decision Support Centre IDSC www.idsc.gov.eg 

The National Competitiveness Council 

www.encc.info 

Ministry for Communication & IT 

www.mcit.gov.eg 

Ministry of State for Administrative Development 

www.ad.gov.eg 

National Education Technology Programme 

www.netp.gov.eg 

The Ministry for Higher Education and Research 

www.egy-mhe.gov.eg 

Egyptian Studies Network 

www.studies.idsc.gov.eg 

The EU Delegation in Egypt 

www.eu-delegation.org.eg 

USAID in Egypt 

www.usaidegypt.org 

Ministry of Trade & Industry 

www.mfti.gov.eg 

National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority NTRA www.tra.gov.eg 

5 http://www.medibtikar.eu/ 

46 


Table 6 

Group II Actors: Industry and its Representatives 


The Federation of Egyptian Industries FEI www.fei.org.eg 

The Egyptian Capital Market Association ECMA www.ecma.org.eg 

The Egyptian Investment Management Association EIMA www.eima.org.eg 

The Egyptian Businessmen Association EBA www.eba.org.eg 

The Egyptian Association for Industrial Development EAID www.eaid.org.eg 

The Small Enterprise Development Organization SEDO www.sedo.org 

The Social Fund for Development SFD www.sfdegypt.org 

The E-learning and Business Solutions Union eLabs www.elabs.org.eg 

Foreign companies 

ALSTOM 

Proctor and Gamble 

Kraft 

Chupachups 

Public Companies 

Egyptian Gas Company 

Local Companies 

Orascom 

T-Shirt Egypt 

Alfa-Electronics 

IEC-Egypt 

Gharably Engineering Co. 

El Nasr Clothing & Textile Co. (KABO) 

www.alstom.com.eg 

www.pg.com.eg 

www.kraft.com 

www.chupachups.com.eg 

www.egas.com.eg 

www.orascom.com 

www.t-shirtegypt.co 

www.alfa-electronix.com 

www.iec-egypt.com.eg 

www.gharably.com.eg 

www.kabo.co 

Table 7 

Group III Actors: Innovation Related Service Providers 


The European Information Correspondence Centre EICC www.eicc.org.eg 

The Egyptian Center of Intellectual Property and Information 

Technology 

ECIPIT www.ecipit.org.eg 

The Centre for Agricultural Technology Utilization and Transfer 

www.atut.gov.eg 

The Technology Development Programme 

TDP 

Pyramid Smart Village (MCIT) 

www.smartvillages.com 

Information Technology Industry Development Agency ITIDA www.itida.gov.eg 

Science and Intelligence Park (MCIT) 

Sinai Technology Valley 

The Software Engineering Competence Center SECC www.secc.org.eg 

Electronic Research Institute 

ERI 

47 



National Telecommunication Institute 

Egyptian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage 

NTI 

ENCID 

www.nti.sci.eg 

www.encid.org.eg 

Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute CMRDI www.cmrdi.sci.eg 

Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies ECES www.eces.org.eg 

Economic Research Forum for Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey ERF www.erf.org.eg 

National Water Research Center ICWH www.icwh.gov.eg 

The Central Laboratory for Agricultural Expert Systems CLAES www.claes.sci.eg 

The Egyptian Studies Network 

ACTIS 

www.act.is 

Averroes Finance 

www.proparco.fr 

EFG-Hermes 

www.efg-hermes. 

com.eg 

Credit Guarantee Company for Small Scale Enterprises 

www.cgc.org.eg 

Egyptian Incubator Association 

www.eia.org.eg 

Egypt’s International Economic Forum 

www.eieforum.org 

Centre D’études Et De Documentation Economiques 

www.cedej.org.eg 

A system of 116 research laboratories in 12 universities in addition 

to 70 R&D Centers 

Table 8 

Group IV Actors: Educators and Information Providers 


The Egyptian University System 

www.frcu.eun.eg 

13 public Universities 

8 private universities 

Central Library of Alexandria University 

www.auclib.edu.eg 

5.3.2. The Supreme Council of Research Centers 

In 2000 the Supreme Council of Research Centers was set up and meets once a month. 

Its role is to improve the coordination of research efforts at national level and across all 

ministries. It is co-chaired by the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research. It 

brings together representatives from the following ministries: 

• Industry and technological development 

• Water resources and irrigation 

• Agriculture 

• Transport 

• Electricity and energy 

• Health and habitation 

• Communication 

48 


• Planning and International cooperation 

• National Defense and Arms. 

5.3.3. The Academy of Sciences and Technology 

The Academy of Sciences and Technology continues to play a key role. It represents Egypt 

in WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) and manages research councils on: 

• Energy and Renewable Energy 

• Nuclear Sciences and Technology 

• Space Sciences & Technology 

• National Critical Technologies. 

It has a team dedicated to Technology Forecasting. It finances the R&D activities 

of university laboratories and research centers. Scientific research laboratories in 

universities and research or technology centers depend mainly on ministries such as 

the Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry for Industry, the 

Ministry for Agriculture, the Ministry for Health and the Ministry for Transport. Although 

many of these centers have a strong problem solving orientation and have e built 

interfaces with industry but they have not yet had a great impact. 

5.3.4. The incubator 

The SFD or Social Fund for Development finances the Enterprise Development Programme 

or EDP. Among other things this provides support for the setting up of technology 

incubators. The incubator programme was launched in 1995. The first incubator to become 

functional was the Tala Incubator in 1998. A total of 8 are planned for locations such 

as Sixth of October City, Tabbin, Mansoura, Asiut, Aswan, Ain Shams and Sharqiya in 

addition to that in Tala. The EIA or Egyptian Incubator Association was established in 1995 

to serve as the executing agency for the SFD. 

5.3.5. Mubarak Science City 

This important science center, located in Alexandria, was established in 1993 with a 

plan to house 12 research centers and institutes focused on domains such as IT, Genetic 

Engineering, Fine Chemicals, Laser technologies, pharmaceuticals, new materials, small 

scale industry development and engineering. The first four institutes were inaugurated in 

August 2000. Mubarak Science City also hosts Biotechnology and Information Technology 

Incubators that are managed in cooperation with the EIA. 

5.3.6. The Industrial Modernization Center 

Under the MEDA Program, the Industrial Modernisation Center was started though an 

49 


initial contribution of € 250M from the EU supported by an Egyptian contribution. The 

objective is to prepare the Egyptian Industry for the globalization era. 

5.4. The Governance System of R&D and Innovation in Egypt 

The governance system for research in Egypt at present is made up of four levels: 

• The funding program 

• The Institute to which the research group belongs 

• The ministry to which the institute belongs 

• The supreme council of research centers. 

Usually there is no unified interplay between the four levels which applies to all research 

projects. The governance of the funding program, which is usually based on various 

performance indicators. The role of the supreme council is to bring together representatives 

of different ministries to discuss research plans. The degree of governance exercised by the 

institute and the ministry concerns the benefits gained from the reseach project. 

5.5. The Performance Indicators 

Previously research projects were judged by reviewers studing progress reports. Recently, 

the importance of performance indicators was recognized the following performance 

indicators are slowly being adopted: 

• Graduates of research oriented post-graduate programs having higher starting salaries, 

more job offers, and shorter waits for first employment 

• Number and impact of academia-industry collaborations 

• Number and amount of external funding (such as from industry) and awards 

• Number of projects in progress 

• Number of Publications in Journals with Impact Factor 

• Annual Number of patents. 

5.6. National Policy of Science and Innovation 

Egypt has an innovation policy implemented via measures to stimulate investment, 

venture capital, business incubators, industrial modernisation, better education, SME 

(small and medium enterprises) development and entrepreneurship. Until recently there 

was no formal coordinating body. The delivery of innovation policy was carried out via 

the programs of the relevant ministries often implemented with assistance from donor 

organisations. Important point of reference were the SFD (Social Fund for Development) 

which finances business centres and incubators, the IMP or Industrial Modernisation 

Programme and GAFI (the General Authority For Investment). 

Recognizing the importance of improving science, technology and innovation to Egypt’s 

competitiveness and development, Egypt is presently attempting to invigorate science 

50 


and innovation through stronger political support. This has been reflected in the 

announcement made by the Egyptian President indicating the period 2007- 2016 as the 

Decade for Science and Technology. 

In addition, a structural reform for the R&D sector is taking place where two presidential 

decrees were passed in February 2007. The first was concerned with the establishment of 

a Supreme Council for Science and Technology chaired by the Prime Minister. The second 

decreed the establishment of a Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) to 

support the Egyptian innovation capabilities. In addition, several initiatives have been 

taken as an attempt to strengthen the R&D system in Egypt and to lay the ground for 

developing an innovation system. This includes the creation of science parks, incubators 

and technology valleys. Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research 

has prepared a reform strategy for the next five years (2007-2012). It is related to the restructuring 

of science and technology governance, national initiative for the development 

of human resources, priority of national projects, funding of science and technology, 

national initiative for informal education, national initiative for innovation. 

The national priorities will be: new and renewable energy, desalination and water 

resources, nanotechnology, biotechnology, food and agriculture, biomedical sciences 

(liver and kidney diseases and cancer) as well as information and communication 

technology. Due to the very efficient network of FP7 focal points (involving key research 

actors, i.e. universities, research centers, industry and other institutions) established 

under the umbrella of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (HESR), 

Egypt was able to significantly increase the participation of Egyptian researchers in 

the European framework program of research. In addition, a national Joint Research- 

Industry Fund supported by the Ministry of HESR and the Ministry of Trade and Industry 

was established and a number of projects funded with the objective of promoting links 

between industry and the research community in Egypt. 

5.7. Regional Policy of Science and Innovation 

No formal structure is yet available for cooperation with countries of the region in which 

Egypt is located. The benefits of cooperation with technologically advanced partners 

usually overshadow cooperation with developing countries. External funding tends to 

encourage such cooperation and the ICTI (International Center for Theoretical Physics, 

Trieste, Italy) partially funded laser research and applications colleges at Cairo University 

which was attended by many African and Arab researchers. JICA, Japan International 

Research Agency, instituted a trilateral cooperation program with the Egyptian Central 

Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI) to introduce metal processing 

technologies (such as metal welding) to African countries. Many arab researchers spend 

their sabbatical period in Egyptian Universities. 

51 


Fig. 6 Number of R&D Units in some Arab Countries in 1999 

Source: ESCWA (1999) Science and Technology Policies in the XXI Century 

5.8. Governing Norms & Laws and Funding of R&D and Innovation 

While some local financial support is available through the Academy of Scientific Research 

and Technology and the various government ministries, most research funding in Egypt is 

available though international cooperation projects. Among the major foreign sponsors 

are the United States of America, European countries, the European Union, Canada, 

Japan, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture 

Organization (FAO). Having a partner in an academic or an industrial collaborator is usually 

necessary while some innovation projects require a local connection between academia 

and industry. Egyptian scientists are presently allowed to apply for an FP7 grant on equal 

footing with European researchers, which is a great advantage. A planned restructuring 

would transfer most grant-giving functions of the Academy of Scientific Research and 

Technology to a new granting agency, which will be called the Egyptian National Funding 

Agency. 

52 


Fig. 7 

Percentage of budget for scientific research 

Source: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt 

5.9. International Cooperation Projects 

The development of a dynamic and modern knowledge based society is undoubtedly one 

of the hardest challenges that Egypt will face. Since 2003, UNDP Human Development 

Reports - both for Egypt and the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region- have underlined 

this challenge and called for concrete actions and initiatives to facilitate the production, 

accumulation, dissemination and utilization of knowledge in the region, notably through 

effective R&D and Innovation systems. This was further confirmed in the recent “Egypt 

Human Development Report” published in February 2006. 

5.9.1. European Union Projects 

Egypt has many scientific research bodies including several universities. Research activities 

are overwhelmingly carried out in public sector institutions, several of which have participated 

in EC Research Framework Program V and VI. Furthermore, an agreement for scientific and 

technological cooperation between the European Union and Egypt was signed in June 2005. 

Egyptian institutions will continue to participate on an equivalent basis with European 

institutions in the actions of Framework Program. However, one of the most hampering factors 

for the economy to innovate is the few direct links between research and industry. While one 

can refer to a R&D system in Egypt, the same could not be said for innovation. There are few 

innovative practices in industry and no systematic support for innovation. 

In order to help Egypt in meeting the “knowledge” challenge, the EU, given its large 

experience in designing and implementing common research and innovation policies 

notably through the EC R&D Framework Programs, will provide support to the Egyptian 

authorities. The progressive integration of Egypt into the European Research Area (ERA) 

will be an integral part of this support. A special Innovation fund will be established that 

aims at the diffusion of innovation practices by assisting pilot actions from research 

output to industrial production. 

53 


The MEDA Program (Euro-Mediterranean Partnership) was the main component of the 

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership’s financial cooperation until 2007. It has been superseded 

by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). This single funding 

instrument will be given a budget of 12 billion euros for the 2007-2013 period (thus 

representing a 32% increase in relation to the previous period). This new neighbourhood 

policy is designed to foster cooperation and the gradual economic integration between 

the European Union and partner countries, to the benefit of the latter, notably through the 

implementation of partnership, cooperation and association agreements, etc. Egypt is 

considered as one of the target countries of ENPI in the Mediterranean area. 

The overall objective of the RDI program is to contribute to the development of an 

innovation culture for the benefit of the Egyptian industry and to support the progressive 

move of the economy from low to medium technology. This will include the strengthening 

of the links between universities/research institutions and industry, the supporting of 

progressive integration of Egypt into the European Research Area and boosting Egypt’s 

invention and innovation efforts. 

Another important project is the Grant Scheme 1, which is related to EEIF (Egypt 

Environmental Initiatives Fund). The overall objective of the EEIF is to “Support research 

outputs, exploitation and innovation with closer links to national or European industries. 

A key component of the program is to establish an Innovation Fund aiming at supporting 

research outputs, exploitation and innovation and the creation of closer links between 

and European industries. 

The Innovation Fund through its Grant Scheme 1 will support projects on competitive 

basis for applied research, with an emphasis on innovation. Grants will be awarded 

to cooperative projects that aim at enhancing the innovative capabilities of industrial 

companies and notably the privately owned small and medium – sized enterprises 

(SME). To be granted, project proposals must be submitted by a consortium that consists 

of at least one partner from the industrial sector and one partner from the R&D sector 

(university and/or non university). Applications and funding of large size projects will be 

encouraged as well as those projects including an EU and/or MEDA partner from industry 

or research sector. The financing institution is “ The EU Development Projects”. 

The specific objectives of Grant Scheme 1 are to: 

• Support initiatives and projects that contribute to the achievement of sustainable 

development in Egypt. 

• Increase capital investment, enhance technological innovation and improve 

competitiveness of the different economic sectors in Egypt. 

• Provide a sustainable and effective tool to raise and channel resources to Egypt’s 

innovation priorities. 

• Strengthen cooperation with European and regional counterparts and hence enable the 

transfer of technology, know how, and best practices to Egyptian institutions. 

The main research areas are energy, water, biotechnology (with applications in agriculture 

and pharmaceuticals, Information and Communication technology, food and agriculture, 

manufacturing industries, space applications including communication and remote 

54 


sensing. Environmental applications, materials (including nanotechnology applications 

and new materials) and health related applications. 

5.9.2. The Joint US-EGYPT Science and Technology Funds 

Every year the U.S. - Egypt Joint Science and Technology Fund (Joint Fund) sponsors two 

competitive grant programs - Joint Research Grants and the Junior Scientist Development 

Visit Grants. These grants provide the opportunity to bring together American and 

Egyptian scientists to work on a collaborative research project. 

The Joint Fund was established under the U.S. - Egypt Science & Technology Cooperative 

Agreement first signed in 1995, and then renewed in 2001 by the United States and the 

Arab Republic of Egypt. The Joint Fund receives $3 million per year to distribute equally 

between Egyptian and American scientists working together on Joint Fund activities. 

The main goals of the Joint Fund: are the strengthening of the scientific and technological 

capabilities of both countries., broadening and expanding relations between the scientific 

and technical communities and the promotion of scientific and technological cooperation 

in areas of mutual benefit for peaceful purposes. 

Priority Areas for Research Grants are biotechnology, standards and metrology, 

environmental Technologies, manufacturing Technologies, information technologies and 

energy. Other Fields include geology, anthropology, new materials, nanotechnology, 

economics, and other Social Sciences, etc. 

55 


Part TWO: 

Research centers inventory

6. Introduction 

In Part 2 we will present profiles of 29 Egyptian research organizations who showed a 

strong interest in cooperation with their counterparts in the Region of Apulia. We begin by 

presenting the profile of the National Research Center (NRC), the main Egyptian research 

organization. Consisting of 13 divisions and 106 departments, it covers many areas in 

industry, health, environment, agriculture, basic science and engineering including the 

areas of agro-food (Food Technology Department) and renewable energy (spread over 

different Departments). Work in these two areas will be specially marked within the 

presented NRC profile. The Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute 

(CMRDI) and the Electronics Research Institute, whose profiles are incorporated in this 

study, were former divisions of the NRC before becoming independent. The profile of the 

NRC will give a general idea to researchers in Apulia about some of the main research 

activities in Egypt. 

We then present the profile of Food Technology Research Institute, the main Agro-food 

Institute in Egypt. As agro-food biotechnology is gaining in importance, we included the 

profile of the national Agricultural Genetic Research Institute. 

As mentioned in the first part of this study, Information and Communication Technology 

is presently the main growing industry in Egypt. The profiles of twelve related research 

centers are included in the third section. It should be mentioned here that the Prime 

Minister of Egypt was a Computer Engineering professor at Cairo University ! The fourth 

section includes five centers working on renewable energy, including a private industrial 

enterprise which produces Photovoltaic panels. 

The fifth section deals with research on Mechanical Engineering and includes centers 

working on mechatronics, combustion, new materials and manufacturing technology. We 

mention in passing that the profile of Professor Habib’s group, the eminent mechatronics 

researcher at the American University in Cairo leads this section. 

The following section deals with aerospace research activities. The Aeronautical 

Engineering dept. of Cairo University has a heritage of a strong involvement with the 

Egyptian Aerospace Industry during its period of strong activity. The flow visualization 

Laboratory is involved in research on weather prediction, wind farm and solar energy 

among other fields. The former head of the National Authority for Remote Sensing and 

Space Sciences is active in both groups. The third member of this group works in Helwan 

University on space weather. 

We finally included a very prominent medical professor who is both nationally and 

internationally accredited for his research contributions. Professor M. Ghoneim 

established the Urology and Nephrology Center of Mansoura University which is one of the 

prominent medical research centers in Egypt having strong international ties. Cooperation 

with Apulian medical counterparts is expected to be strongly rewarded. 

59 

6. Introduction

7. Research centers forms 

7.1. Aerospace 

Aerospace Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 

Organization Details 

Aerospace Department 

Faculty of Engineering 

Cairo University, Giza 12613 

Egypt 

Contact Person 

Atef O. Sherif 

Professor, Department of Aerospace 


Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt 

aosherif@mailer.eun.eg 

aosherif@eng.cu.edu.eg 

(202) 35678643 - (202) 35678656 

Year of establishment 

About 50 years ago 

Associated institutes/ bodies and stakeholders 

• Department of Mechanical Design and Manufacturing 

• Department of Mechanical Power 

• Department of Electric and Electronics 

• Department of Electric Power 

• Department of Computers and Information 

• Cairo University Center for Space Studies and Consultations 

• The National Authority of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences 

Geographical area of competence 

Local and Regional 

Main areas of activity 

• Aerodynamics 

• Propulsion Systems 

• Analysis and Design of light structures (Air and Space Frames) 

• Flight Mechanics (Performance, Stability and Control) 

• Satellites and Space Technology 

Current research areas and topics 

• Computational Fluid Mechanics for External and Internal Flows (Subsonic-transonic and 

supersonic) 

•Weather and Climate Change Modeling and Prediction 

• Computational Fluid Mechanics Applications in Turbo - machinery (air-intakes, compressors, 

reactive flows - turbines and nozzles) 

• Design and Testing of injectors, combustion related devices 

• Thermal and Modal analysis of Light structures (including satellite structures) 

• Analysis and Design of structures using composite materials 

• Orbit Determination and Satellite Tracking 

• Satellite Navigation and Control 

60 


Number and qualification of the employed personnel 

• Over 30 Staff members (13 Professors – 6 Associate Professors and 11 Assistant Professors) and 10 

Assistants 

• Over 40 Students working on their post graduate degrees 

Business model of the offered services 

• Training: Fees 

• Consultations: Consultation Fees and Contracts 

• Research Projects: Grants and Contracts 

• Industrial Support: Fees and Contracts 

Participation to national and international networks 

• National Network of the Supreme Council of Universities 

• B&W University 

Participation to international programmes and projects 

• NSF USA Research Project 

• NSF Co organizing International meeting 

• UNESCO/EU Educational Project (joint R$D) 

• ASME Co organizing International Conferences 

• AIAA Conferences and Meetings 

• IGARSS Conference 

• JIAFS/GWU visits 

• B&W University Canada Invited Professor 

• Several Staff members on leave to Foreign Universities 

Funding Sources 

• Faculty and University Support 

• Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Grants 

• Government and Public Sector Consultations and R&D Contracts 

• Private Sector Consultations and R& D Contracts 

International cooperation interests 

• Systems of Ground segment for Satellite Tracking and Observation. 

• Satellite Sensors design and Technology 

• Multi and Hyper Spectral Technologies 

• Satellite Guidance and Navigation 

• Technology of satellite propulsion 

• Weather and Climate Modeling and Prediction 

• High Performance Computing in Aerospace 

• Wind and Solar Energy (Assessment, Analysis, and Management of Operations) 

General Description and Comments 

The Aerospace department-Faculty of Engineering-cairo University started in late40s-early 50s as a 

specialization within the Department of Mechanical Engineering to provide graduates to support the 

expanding air transportation aand activities. Then in the mid 50s the Department of Aeronautics was 

established with four specializations; - Aerodynamics, - Propulsion Systems, Analysis and Design of 

light structures and Flight Mechanics. The Department name was changed to Aerspace Department 

in the early 90s and a new specialization was then added namely Satellites and Space Technology. 

The undergraduate program occupies 4 years (8 terms) after a preparatory year run by the faculty. 

The department Staff is now over 30 members (13 Professors – 6 Associate Professors and 11 

Assistant Professors), assisted by about 10 teaching assistants and demonstrators. The average 

number of students is 250 (4 * 60) in addition to about 40 Students working on their post graduate 

degrees. 

Interview Place and Date 

Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, June 2008 

61 

7. Research centers forms

Flow Visualization Laboratory, Aerospace Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 


Aerospace Department 



Egypt 


Atef O. Sherif 

Professor, Department of Aerospace 



Egypt 

aosherif@mailer.eun.eg 

aosherif@eng.cu.edu.eg 

(202) 35678643 (202) 35678656 


1997 


• Department of Mechanical Design and Manufacturing 

• Department of Mechanical Power 

• Department of Electric and Electronics 

• Department of Electric Power 

• Department of Computers and Information 

• Cairo University Center for Space Studies and Consultations 

• The National Authority of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences 


Local and Regional 


• Aerodynamics 

• Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) 

• High Performance Computing 

• Weather and Climate Modeling 

• MM Educational Courseware 


• Computational Fluid Mechanics for External and Internal Flows (Subsonic-transonic and 

supersonic) 

• Weather and Climate Change Modeling and Prediction 

• Computational Fluid Mechanics Applications in Turbo-machinery (air-intakes, compressors, 

reactive flows- turbines and nozzles) 

• Flow visualization techniques 

• Effects of Land use on local Climate change 

• Thermal Inversion over Mega Cities 

62 


Future research areas and topics 

• High Performance Computing in Aerodynamics 

• Wind and Solar Energy as related to weather and climate modeling 

• Large Scale image processing 

• Increasing Effectiveness of Operation Planning of Wind Farms via Utilization of Weather Prediction 

models 

• Study Effects of Wind Farm energy Production on Network Load balancing 

• Study the Potential and Means for the Local Manufacturing of Wind Generation components and 

systems 

• Air pollution in relation to thermal inversion over megacities 


Staff members (3 Professors – 2 Associate Professors and 3 Assistant Professors) and 3 Assistants - 

Over 15 Students working on their post graduate degrees 

Offered services 

• Training 

• Consultation services 

• Research and development Projects 

• Feasibility studies and technical reports. 


• Training: Fees 

• Consultations: Consultation Fees and Contracts 

• Research Projects: Grants and Contracts 

• Industrial Support: Fees and Contracts 


• National Network of the Supreme Council of Universities 

• B&W University 


• NSF USA Research Project 

• NSF Co organizing International meeting 

• UNESCO/EU Educational Project (joint R$D) 

• ASME Co organizing International Conferences 

• AIAA Conferences and Meetings 

• IGARSS Conference 

• JIAFS/GWU visits 

• B&W University Canada Invited Professor 

• Several Staff members on leave to Foreign Universities 


• Faculty and University Support 

• Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Grants 

• Government and Public Sector Consultations and R&D Contracts 

. Private Sector Consultations and R& D Contracts 

63 



• Weather and Climate Modeling and Prediction 

• Multi and Hyper Spectral Technologies 

• Flow Visualization Techniques 

• Large Scale Computing using HPC 

• Large Scale image processing 

• High Performance Computing in Aerospace 

• Wind and Solar Energy (Assessment, Analysis, and Management of Operations) 

• Increasing Effectiveness of Operation Planning of Wind Farms via Utilization of Weather Prediction 

models (In Cooperation with EE Department) 

• Effects of Wind Farm energy Production on Network Load balancing (In Cooperation with EE 

Department) 

• Potential and Means for the Local Manufacturing of Wind Generation components and systems (In 

Cooperation with Mechanical Power and Mechanical Design and Production Departments) 

• Air pollution in relation to thermal inversion over megacities 


The Flow Visualization Laboratory was established in 1997 within the Aerodynamics branch of the 

Aerospace department-Faculty of Engineering-Cairo University. Its main efforts are concentrated on 

both computational and experimental flow visualization techniques. 


Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, June 2008 

Space Weather and Monitoring Center of Helwan University 


Helwan University, Faculty of Science, Ain Helwan, 11795 Egypt 


Dr. Ayman Mohamed Mahrous 

Helwan university, Faculty of Science, 

Ain Helwan, 11795 Egypt 

Fax: 002-022-555-2468 

amahrous@helwan.edu.eg 

ayman.mahrous@gmail.com 


1985 


Helwan University 

Faculty of Science 

Physics Department 


National 


• Space and Satellite Monitoring 

• Ionosphere Monitoring 

• Geomagnetism Monitoring 

64 



Real-time monitoring of the ionospheric layer over Egypt. 

Space weather predictions and now-casting. 

High energy cosmic ray interactions with satellite detectors 


Water vapor monitoring with GPS satellites. 

Accuracy modifications and corrections of GPS satellites. 


Total Employment: 20 

Professors: 5 

Researchers: 17 


Monitoring stations for ionosphere and geomagnetism. 

Simulation codes for space weather predictions. 

Linux operating system. 

Network and cluster service. 


• Software (Commission) 

• Integrated Hardware and Software (Commission) 

• Training and consultation (Free) 

Registered patents, licenses 

Coherent Ionospheric Doppler Receiver (CIDR) Technique-Three stations – Deployment License for 

Middle East. 


• NASA (Peer reviewer member) 

• ESA (European Space Agency): Digisonde project 

• CEOS (Committee on Earth Observation Satellites) 


US-Egyptian joint board, Chain of CIDR network over Egypt. 

Cyprus-Egyptian joint board, Link of ionospheric networks over the Mediterranean. 

European project TEMPUS for physics refinements. 


US- Egyptian Joint Board 

Egyptian Academy of Science 

US-NSF 

Space Environment Research Center (SERC) of Japan 

Helwan University (Egypt) 


Systems of Ground Satellite Observation. 

Global Positioning Systems GPS. 

Space Weather forecasting. 

Ionospheric Equatorial Anomaly monitoring 

Geomagnetism monitoring 

65 



The main objective of the center is supporting the Egyptian space program with proper information 

about the now-casting and forecasting of space weather changes. This will be used also as a 

warning system for Egyptian satellite EgyptSat1. The center includes several monitoring systems 

and stations distributed in several locations in Egypt for detecting the ionospheric disturbance and 

geomagnetism by several satellites and magnetometers respectively. 


Cairo, July 2008 

7.2. Agrofood 

Food Technology Research Institute (FTRI) 




Prof. Dr. Laila El-Mahdy. 

Head of the institute 

Tel: +202 35718324 

Fax: +202 35684669 

Mob: +2010 6688688 

nlftri@ie-eg.com 


1992 


Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation 

Egyptian Universities and Research Centers 


The Institute operates mainly inside Egypt. 


Food science and Technology 


• Food Processing 

• Food Safety 

• Food quality 

• Solar energy 

• Nutrition 

• Biotechnology 

• Waste recycling 

• Food Additives 


• Nanotechnology 


• New trends in food preservation and processing 

66 



• Consultants: 20 

• Professors: 38 

• Ass. Professors: 66 

• Lecture : 103 

• Total: 227 


• Training extension and consultation in the field of food science and technology 

• Technology transfer 

• R & D for SMEs. (Small and Middle-sized Enterprises) 

• Chemical and microbiological analysis 

• Manufacturing food products 


• Research (Grants) 

• Training (Fees) 

• Consultation (Fees) 

• Services (Fees) 


• Dehydration of onion by solar energy. 

• High lycopene tomato powder and bioavailability of iron 

• Production of Balady bread (Main bread in Egypt) from 100% rice flour without yeast 

• Method for the production of new types of processed cheese with fruit flavors 

• Medical effects of jaw’s mallow stems.(pending) 

• Reusing of discarded deactivated bleaching earth in the bleaching of oils (pending) 

• Medical effects of mushroom as food additives mixture (pending) 

• Innovation technology for production of new snacks (pending) 


National network of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) that is linked to international networks 


• International Olive Council (IOC) 

• American Association of cereal chemistry (AACC) 

• Institute of Food Technology (IFT) 

• International soybean program (INTSOY) 

• Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) 

• Ainia Center Technology Spain (AINIA) 

• Korean food technology research institute (KFTRI) 

• International Life Sciences institute (ILSI) 

• Georgia Agricultural Experiment (GAES) 

• School of public health (UCLA) 

• International conferences 

• International meetings 

• Projects 


• National 

• Governmental 

67 



• Food science and Technology 

• Food Processing 

• Food Safety 

• Food quality 

• Solar energy 

• Nutrition 


• Waste recycling 

• Food Additives 



• New trends in food preservation and processing 


The institute has Eight departments, two research units, one information center, and a semi 

commercial food manufacturing administration. 

The Eight departments are : 

• bread and pasta 

• special food and nutrition 

• horticultural crops 

• field crops 

• fats and oils 

• fish and meat 

• milk and dairy products 

• food engineering and packaging 

The two research units are : 

• economics unit for food processing 

• the experimental kitchen 

The information center is : 

• Egyptian Food Safety Information Center (EFSIC) 

The General Administration of food Manufacturing (GAFM) has the main objective of applying the 

research results and also works on a semi commercial basis: 

• Soy bean products 

• Balady bread 

• Bakery products 

• Dairy products 

• Extraction and Distillation 

• Dehydrated Products 

• Juices & Jams 

• Olive oil Production & Pickling 


Cairo, June 2008 



Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, 

9 Gamaa street, 12619 Giza, Egypt. 

Tel: +202-35727831, FAX: +202-35689519. 

Web: http://www.ageri.sci.eg 

68 



Prof. Ahmed Bahieldine -Director 

bahieldin55@gmail.com 

Prof. Osama Momtaz – Deputy Director 

omomtaz@hotmail.com 

Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, 

9 Gamaa street, 12619 Giza, Egypt. 

Tel: +202-35727831, FAX: +202-35689519. 

Web: http://www.ageri.sci.eg 


1990 


- Agricultural Research Center (ARC) 

- Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) 


The Institute operates nationally and internationally 


• Developing Genetically engineered economically important Crops. 

• Developing biotechnology products (biopesticides, biofertilizers, etc.) 

• Conducting basic and applied GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) services including research 

projects 


• Molecular Virology 

• Microbial Molecular Biology 

• Molecular Entomology 

• Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation 

• Genome Mapping & Marker-Assisted Selection 

• Genomics (Structural - Functional - Comparative) 

• Proteomics 

• Bioinformatics 

• Signal Transduction 

• Gene Silencing 

• Immunology/ ELISA & Virus Diagnosis 

• Bioremediation 

• Fermentation 





• IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) implementation and dissemination 

• Implementation of Biosafety risk assessments 



Professors: 7 

Associate and Assistant Professors: 7 



69 


Software preparation 

Integrated hardware and software 

Consultation service 

Research projects developments and implementation. 


Molecular technologies (Fingerprinting, primer synthesis, …etc) (Commission) 

GMO Detection (Commission) 

Training courses, workshops, and conferences. (Commission) 


• Kitinase gene for fungal and insect resistance – pending 

• Dehidrin gene for drought tolerant – pending 

• Specific promoter for maize plants – pending 

• Biopesticide for main insect pest – approved 

• Biopesticide for grasshopper – pending 

• Biopesticide and biofertilizer - pending 


• FAO Interregional cotton biotechnology Network 

• ARENINA Agricultural biotechnology network 


• Molecular Virology 

• Microbial Molecular Biology 

• Molecular Entomology 

• Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation 

• Genome Mapping & Marker-Assisted Selection 




• Signal Transduction 

• Gene Silencing 

• Immunology/ ELISA & Virus Diagnosis 

• Bioremediation 

• Fermentation 


AGERI is now a discipline oriented institute within the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) of the 

Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and is a center of excellence in biotechnology, 

molecular biology and genetic engineering research and product development in Africa & the West 

Asia-North Africa (WANA) region. The institute is located within the ARC site in Giza which facilitates 

an interface with other ARC institutes. 

The main building, with a total net area of 2261 m2, consists of the administration offices, 19 

well-equipped laboratories including a new Genomics & Proteomics facility and a BioComputing & 

Networks Unit, an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) office, an auditorium and a conference room. 

Recent expansion included the construction of a new 2-floors annex, adding a total net area of 

585m2 with infrastructure and license to construct additional 5 floors in response to the internal 

growth and development of AGERI. The library, a central laboratory facility, a supply and chemicals 

repository using advanced bar-code system in addition to 9 controlled environment chambers are 

now located in the new annex. The new annex also houses Egypt Biotechnology Information Center 

(EBIC). 

A containment facility, based upon a University of Arizona design and complying with the biosafety 

and EPA (Environment Protection Agency) regulations has been constructed, adding 412m2 of stateof-the-art 

space which allows the safe handling of materials in experiments dealing with the degree 

of gene expression in transgenic plants. 

A conventional multispan fiberglass greenhouse (307m2) are used to host the transgenic plant 

material for acclimatization. An adjacent 1.5 acres of land serve as an open field experimental 

station for field testing of genetically engineered plant material. 

70 



Giza, Egypt, July 08. 

7.3. Mechatronics 

The Mechatronics Group, Mechanical Engineering Department, The American University in Cairo 

(AUC) 


Prof. Maki K. Habib 

Robotics and Mechatronics Group 

Mechanical Engineering Department 

School of Sciences and Engineering 

The American University in Cairo 

113, Kasr El Eini St. 

P.O.Box 2511, Cairo 11511, Egypt. 

Tel: +202 2797 5724, 

Web: 

http://www.aucegypt.edu/ (for the University) 

http://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/dept/meng/faculty/Documents/ 

PdfWebsiteMechanicalMaki%20Habib.pdf (Personal) 


Prof. Maki K. Habib 


School of Sciences and Engineering 

The American University in Cairo 

113, Kasr El Eini St. 

P.O.Box 2511, Cairo 11511, Egypt. 

Tel: +202 2797 5724, 

maki@aucegypt.edu 

maki@ieee.org 


1919 


Saga University, 

Saga Prefecture, Japan. 


National, Middle East, Africa and Asia 


• Mechatronics and Robotics 

• 3D vision and Navigation Strategies for Autonomous Robots 

• Biomimetics and smart sensors 

• Wireless sensor network 

• Information Technology and Ambient Intelligence 

• Humanitarian demining (Robotics and Sensors) 

• Distributed Teleoperation and Collaborative Control 

• Intelligent Control. 

The head of the group has published 2 books (Ed), 7 book chapters, more than 37 International 

Journals, and more than 130 papers at International conferences. 

71 



• 3D Fiber Grating based smart sensors supporting robot navigation and human tracking 

Multi Robotics Systems: strategies for reliable and robust Architecture, Communication, 

Coordination, and Cooperation, Simulation of multi-robotic system. 

• Intelligent and Autonomous Mobile Robots: Control Architecture, Navigation, Learning and 

Intelligence, Sensing and Perception, etc. 

• Flexible Mechanisms to enable robots to overcome difficult terrain and move on ground, wall and 

ceiling surfaces. This includes Legged, wheeled, and Hybrid Mechanisms. 

• Autonomous demining robots with collective navigation strategies. 

• Wall climbing robots with flexible mechanisms. 

• Behavior based autonomous navigation system for intelligent mobile robots. 

• Microprocessor based adaptive control 

• Telecooperation as new paradigm for cooperation and efficient utilization of resources beyond time 

and physical constraints. Examples: Virtual Office, E-learning(University), Factory, and hospitals. 

• Distributed Teleoperation, Collaborative Teleoperation, Collaborative Control and Teleoperation 

through Shared Integrated Intelligent and collaborative Environments supporting Mixed Realities 

over Vast Distances. 

• Internet Based Smart House with Interactive Environment. 

• Data acquisition system development for solar energy research. 

• Traffic control based on a real time demand. 

• Logic based algorithms development for design with Programmable Logic Array (PLA), 

Programmable Logic device (PLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). 

• Automatic recognition of hand written numerals. 

• Fuzzy logic based motion control 

• Sensor Fault Reconstruction Schemes on Real Physical Systems. 

• Nonlinear Control of Rigid Rotor in Active Magnetic Bearing. 


• Biologically inspired control approaches based on central pattern generators (CPGs) with neural 

oscillators. 

• Developing embedded and real time systems facilitated by the development of smart sensors for 

real time tracking, monitoring Intelligent robots and new control architecture (Autonomous Mobile 

Robots, Humanoid Robot: 

• Automate Chinese medical diagnoses 

• Developing new aspect of cooperation between people and machines including autonomous 

systems over the open network. 

• Developing new strategies for Wireless Sensor Networks in relation to topologies, protocols and 

power consumption and realizing new applications. 

• Machine Assisted Humanitarian Mine Clearance: Mechanization and Robotization. 

• Industrial Automation and Robotics. Analysis, modeling, design, economical justifications. 


The Mechanical Engineering Department has 

Professors: 8 

Visiting and Part-time Professor: 6 

Associate Professor: 5 

Assistant Professor: 3 

Research and teaching assistance: 20 


• Continuous Education and Training 

• Integrated hardware and software (industrial projects) 

• Consultation service 

• Feasibility studies and technical reports. 

72 



• Research (Internal and External Grants) 

• Industrial Consultation (Fees) 

• Training and consultation (Free) 

• Integrated hardware and software (No Charge-cooperation with the Industry through student 

projects) 


Two patents (pending) 

• 3D Fiber grating vision sensor 

• Automatic handwritten recognition 


• Technical Research Management Team member (representing GMD Japan) at the International 

Collaboration project jointly with IBM Watson USA, IBM Japan and GMD SIT Germany 

• Member of the International Network of “Excellence On Mine Action Technologies” (MAT) 

• Member of the Research Team, development of Intelligent City at Cyber-Jaya, Malaysia 

• Member of the International Advanced Robotics Program (IARP) 

• Steering committee member of the International network on Mechatronics Research and Education 

• Technical Advisor for Toyota group in Malaysia, (July 2001-2005) 


Scientific and Professional Societies: 

• IEEE Industrial Electronics and Robotics and Automation Societies, IEEE (Senior Member), since 

1988. 

• Robot Society of Japan, since 1988. 

• International Association of Unmanned-Systems (IAUS), since 1992. 

• New York Academy of Science, since 1999. 

• Intelligent and Autonomous Systems (IAS) since 2001. 

Invited talks 

Deliver invited professional talks, Keynotes at more than 30 international Universities. 

Leadership and International Conferences 

Chairperson, program co-chair and member of international program committees for many 

international conferences (more than 40) 

Developer of invited and organized sessions at international conferences 

Organizing more than 20 invited and special sessions at international conferences. 

Workshops and Tutorial organizer at international conferences 

Organizing and delivering more than 10 international workshops and tutorials. 

Session chair at international conferences 

Chairing more than 30 sessions at international conferences 


• AUC funding 

• External grants 


• Robotics and Automation 

• Bio-inspiration (Biomimetics) 

• Autonomous and Intelligent Robots (Service robots) 

• New Technologies and techniques for Humanitarian Demining 

• Development of New Mechatronics Systems 

• Intelligent Mechanism Design 

• Configurations and Applications of Wireless Sensor Networks 

• Development of Smart Sensors 

• Telecooperation and ICT supporting Collaboration among Distributed people/systems (E-Learning, 

• Virtual manufacturing, Virtual hospitals, etc.) 

• 3D Vision Systems (development and applications) 

• Digital Logic Design and Minimization Techniques 

73 



Looking for closer and fruitful cooperation 


Cairo, July 2008. 

Mechatronics Group, Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams 

University, Cairo (Egypt) 


Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University 

1 El-Sarayat St., Abdou-Pasha Square, Abbassia 

Cairo, Egypt, Postal Code: 11517 

Web: http://eng.shams.edu.eg 


Prof. Dr. Farid A. Tolba 

Prof. Dr. Magdi M. Abdel-Hameed 

Email: magdyma@gmx.net 

Tel: +202-2682-1800 

Fax: +202-2685-0617 


1950 


• Clausthal University, Germany 

• Dresden, Germany 

• Hanover University, Germany 

• Drexel University, USA 

• McMaster University, Canada 

Average yearly turnover 

US$ 0.7 millions 


National 


Mechanical Eng. (Production, Power, Automotive and Mechatronics) 


• Mechanical Engineering 

• Mechatronic Systems 

• Robotics and Automation 

• AI and Image Processing 

• Automatic Control 

• Design of Embedded Systems 

74 



• Nano-mechatronics Systems 

• Nano-systems (Sensors and actuators) 

• Development of Flexible manufacturing Systems (FMS) and Computer Integrated Manufacturing 

(CIM) 

• AI and Image Processing 

• Automatic Control 

• Design of Embedded Systems 

• Implementation of wave energy extraction system 

• Implementation of direct steam generation system using solar energy 


Total: 25 

Professors: 6 

Associate Professors: 2 

Assistant professors: 9 

Research Assistants: 8 


• R & D in all Engineering activities 

• Consultation services including feasibility studies 

• Training courses 


• Projects with industry through contracts 

• Technical Assistance agreements through agreements 

• Collaboration with Research Centers & groups 

Quality certifications obtained 

Under final approval and accreditation 


Academy of Scientific Research & Technology, Egypt 


US – Egypt Science and Technology Board 

Tempus projects 

Many partnerships and collaborations with European and American Universities 


• Industry Modernization Center, Ministry of Industrial & International Trade 

• Research project funding 

• Ministry of Higher Education. 


• Smart sensors and actuators 

• HW and SW of ASIC, FPGA and IP 

• Mobile robots and Autonomous systems 

• MEMS and NEMS 


The vision of the Faculty of Engineering is to attain excellence in engineering education, scientific 

research and community services through an integrated TQM linking with different national and 

international institutions. 


Cairo, Egypt, July 2008. 

75 


The Combustion Institute, Egyptian Section 



Cairo University 

Giza, Egypt 


Prof. Mohy Mansour, 

mansour@niles.edu.eg 

Dean, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, NILES 

Cairo University, Giza, Egypt 


1970 

Associated institutes / bodies and stakeholders 

• Cairo University 

• Ain Shams University 

• Alexandria University 

• Helwan University 

• 8 other Egyptian universities 

• Individuals from the industrial sector 


International 


Combustion 


• Combustion science and technology 

• Fire prediction and control 

• Explosion prediction and control 

• Combustion systems (Engines, boilers, furnaces,) 


• Environmentally clean combustion systems 

• Fuel Cells 

• Renewable Energy 


Total: more than 50 

Professors: 30 

Assistants: 15 



• Training of Engineers (Public and Private sectors) 

• Design of Industrial Combustion systems 

• Monitoring Pollutant levels 

• Adjustment of Combustion systems to meet environmental regulations 

• Consultations 

76 



• Training (Fees) 

• Government Services (Free) 

• Consultations (charge) 

• Design (charge) 


Individual members have local patents 

Examples are: Bread oven design, Burner design 

The Institute provides certificates to industry in the field of combustion (quality of performance and 

environmental effects) 


The Combustion Institute Network, USA 


Mediterranean combustion Symposium (co-organized by Egypt, Turkey and Italy). It is a biannual 

event, Started 1999. 

Participation in International Combustion Symposium (Report Submission) 


Private Sector 


• Combustion research 

• Combustion system development 


The Egyptian section of the combustion institute is an international organization. The members are 

staff members from Egyptian universities and research centers. The aim of this organization is to 

provide a link between several research groups in Egypt and the international community in order to 

improve the quality research and technology in Egypt. 



Mechanical Engineering Department, 

British University in Egypt 


El Sherouk City, Misr-Ismailia Road, Cairo, Egypt. 

Website: 


Iman Salah El Din El Mahallawi 

Prof. of Metallurgy and Material Engineering; 

Department of Mechanical Engineering; 

British University, El Sherouk City, Misr-Ismailia Road; 

Cairo, Egypt, Postal code: 11837, P.O. box 43. 

International: +202-2687-5890 / 1 / 2 / 3 or 2689-0000 

Fax: +202-2687-5889 / 97; Cell: +2010-604-4661 


2005 


77 


• Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM), Faculty of Engineering, British University in Egypt, BUE 

• The Centre for Advancement of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering Sciences 

(CAPSCU), Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 


National 


• Advancements in developing new materials and new technologies for manufacturing. 

• Energy related areas (renewable-alternative). 

• Basic sciences and physics. 


Development of innovative materials and manufacturing methods in the field of nano-structured 

materials. 


Energy related areas (renewable-alternative). 


2 professors + 5 assistant professors + 10 researchers. 


• Technical consultation 

• Industrial research. 


Collaborating bodies: free. 

Industry: payment. 


3 patents (pending). 

• Micropipette puller 

• Wet spinning system for nano-fiber production 

• New technology for producing nano-composites by casting. 


• Multi-lateral project on nano-fibers for water treatment (to start soon): (Partners: 1.Royal Institute 

of Technology (KTH) Sweden,2. Masaryk University (MU) Czech Republic, 3. Universitat Autònoma 

de Barcelona (UAB) Spain, 4 National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) Slovenia, 5 The British University 

in Egypt (BUE) Egypt, 6 Nottingham University, (NU) United Kingdom, 7 LIFETECH Ltd. (LT) Czech 

Republic, 8. EGMASA Spain) 

• Bilateral project on nano-wires (awaiting funding approval) (Wright State University, USA). 

• Multilateral project on development of Nano-metal-matrix composites (NMMC’s) for energy 

saving applications (awaiting funding approval). (with Freiberg Technical Institute, Germany, Cairo 

University). 


Project funding: NSF for project number II, FP7 for project I. 


Advancement in materials and manufacturing technology in the following areas: 

• Solar Energy 


• Nano-materials and nano-composites 

• Water purification and waste water treatment 

• Ergonometric 

• Robotics. 

78 



Though this is a new organization, almost all the BUE staff has a previous history of research 

involvement with other national and international universities. That research is emphasized to be 

the main educational tool is evidenced by current research budget mounting up to a sum of about € 

200,000 and $ 120,000 in different projects. 



Manufacturing Technology Department, Central Metallurgical R & D Institute (CMRDI) 


P. O. Box: 87 Helwan, Cairo, Egypt 


Prof. Dr. Eng. Abdel-Monem EL-BATAHGY, 

Head of Manufacturing Technology Department, CMRDI 

elbatahgy@yahoo.com 

abatahgy@cmrdi.sci.eg 


1983 


National Institute for Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo university 


National & International 


• Fusion welding (arc and laser beam welding) 

• Friction stir welding 

• Laser materials processing 


• Arc and laser welding of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys 

• Friction stir welding of non-ferrous alloys 

• Laser surface hardening of tool steels 


• Laser beam welding of non-ferrous alloys including aluminum and titanium alloys 

• Friction stir welding of non-ferrous (aluminum) and ferrous (steel) alloys 

• Laser surface modification of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys 

• Laser cutting of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys 


Total: 10 

Professors: 3 



• Applied research 

• Technical support 

• Technology transfer 


79 



• Applied research: payment 

• Technology transfer: payment 

• Technical support: payment 

• Consultations: free/payment 


National Networks: 

• Egyptian Society for Laser Industrial Applications (ESLIA) 

• Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) 


• Cooperation project with Fraunhofer IWM [ Institute for Mechanics of Materials ] (project concluded 

in the field of repair welding strategy of aluminum structures used in transportation; e.g. train 

vehicles, yachts) 

• Cooperation project with Penn State University in USA (project in progress in the field of fusion 

welding of titanium alloys) 


• Ministry of scientific research 

• Concerned industries 

• Project funding (DAAD in Germany, NSF in USA) 


• Laser welding of non-ferrous and ferrous alloys 

• Friction stir welding of non-ferrous and ferrous alloys 

• Laser surface modification of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys 

• Laser cutting of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys 


Research activities in the field of welding engineering at CMRDI began in 1985 with an initial activity 

in the area of arc welding of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. 

Since 1994, research moved into new area concerned with laser materials processing including 

welding, cutting and surface modification. Recently (Since 2003), friction stir welding of different 

ferrous and non-ferrous alloys included in our activities. 


Cairo, Egypt – July 2008 

7.4. Health 

Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt 


Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt 

Mansoura, EGYPT. 

Phone: +20 (50)2262222, Fax: +20 (50) 2263717 

http://www.unc.edu.eg 


Mohamed A Ghoneim 

Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt 


1983 

80 



University of Mansoura 

Minyet Samanoud Hospital 


Regional 


• Urologic oncology 

• Urinary diversion 

• Stem cell research 


• Stem cell research in the treatment of diabetes 

• Genomics of carcinoma of the bladder 


34 


Medical treatment 

Training 

Research 


Medical treatment (Mostly Free – Partial Fees) 

Training (Fees) 

Research (Grants) 


The new ‘Patient Information System’ (PIS), carried on a fiber optic local network 


WHO corresponding center 


The new ‘Patient Information System’ (PIS), carried on a fiber optic local network 


In the Urology and Nephrology Center training is not less important than treating patients. Over 100 

master degrees and 48 MD degrees were presented by the urology department. Since 1993 and until 

now, the center is well-known as WHO collaborating for the training of junior urologists from all over 

the world. Through WHO, SIU and direct communications with other urology departments worldwide, 

the Center has offered more than 145 scholarships for Arab and International trainees. Over 300 

publications in reputable journals are the harvest of the intense research and academic activities 


Government support 

Donations 

Research grants 


• Stem cell research in the treatment of diabetes 

• Genomics of carcinoma of the bladder 


81 


In May 1983, the Urology & Nephrology Center was officially inaugurated. The establishment of 

the center was an exemplary work of Dr. M. A Ghoneim and two of his fellow urologists: Dr. A. 

Ashamallah and Dr. S. Hammady. 

The Center between 1983 and 1998 provided 122 beds for the urologic service. 82 % of surgeries 

are completely free and the rest is partially covered. Until 2002, over 75000 cases were surgically 

treated in-wards. Over 14000 cases outpatients. The outpatient department has been visited by 

more than 1.765 million patients. 



7.5. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) 

Information Technology Institute (ITI) 


Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) 


• Dr. Mohamed Salem, Chairman 


241 El Haram St., Giza, Egypt 

Tel: +2 02 33868420; Fax: +2 02 33868429 

msalem@mcit.gov.eg 

• Dr. Rada Hussein, Deputy for R&D 


241 El Haram St, Giza, Egypt 

Tel: +2 02 33868420; Fax: +2 02 33868429 

rahussein@mcit.gov.eg 


1993 


The Institute operates mainly inside Egypt. 


Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 


• Software Engineering 

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) 

• Multimedia. 

• Computer networks 

• Mechatronics 

• Digital VLSI Design & Embedded Systems 

• Biomedical Informatics 


82 


Software Engineering 

• Software Development 

• Quality Assurance 

• Main Frame 

• Unix 

• Java 

Mobile Application Development 

Enterprise Application Development 

• EBusiness 

E-Business 

E-Learning 

• Database 

Oracle DBA 

Oracle Business Suite, ERP 

SAP 

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) 

Multimedia 

• Multimedia 

• Computer Graphics for Media Production. 

Computer networks 

• Computer Networks 

• Media convergence 

• Information Security 

Mechatronics 

Digital VLSI Design & Embedded Systems 

• VLSI 

• Embedded Systems 

Biomedical Informatics 


• Imaging Informatics 



Professors: 4 



• ICT training 

• Software applications 


• Technical reports. 


• Software applications (Payment) 

• Training and consultation (payment) 


ISO 9001 


Collaboration activities include applied research through MSc and PhD studies, as well as, 

internship programs with the following academic partners: 

IT(Inc) (Egypt), Sunderland University (UK), Nottingham University (UK), Leipzig University (Germany), 

Paderborn University (Germany), Lund University (Sweden), Joseph Fourier University (France), 

Bergen University (Norway), Calgary University (Canada), Oregon Health and Science (OHSU) (US), 

Institute of Health “Carlos III (Spain)” 

83 



Holding an annual conference under the title of International Conference on Information & 

Communications Technologies (ICICT) in cooperation with IEEE-Egypt (2003-09). 

Applying for support from the EU programs (such as FP7, RDI, etc.) in different ICT research sectors 

with various international networks. 


- ICT 

- Biomedical Informatics 


Established in 1993, ITI provides specialized software development programs to distinguished 

university graduates, as well as professional training programs and IT courses for the Egyptian 

government, ministries, and business professionals. 

Over the past 14 years, ITI has supplied the local, regional and international markets with highlytrained 

professionals in various IT domains, following the 9-month intensive training program. 

Those graduates make up the backbone of the IT workforce in Egypt. 

In April 2005, the affiliation of ITI was transferred to the Ministry of Communications and 

Information Technology (MCIT), and since then, ITI is stepping forward towards several achievements 

and accomplishments addressing state-of-the-art ICT areas and fields. 



Computer Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 


Computer Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt 12613 


Prof. Samir Shaheen, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 

sshaheen@eng.cu.edu.eg 

Prof. Nevin Darwish 

ndarwish@ieee.org 


1990 


• The department has many relations with the Multi-national companies in the Computer industry; 

namely; IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft, Intel, hp. These companies provide training and job 

opportunities for graduates, as well as, Research and Development projects. 

• Moreover, the department has been granted several projects with the European union through 

the Tempus project. Currently, an E-learning project is being conducted with Rheinisch-Westfälische 

Technische Hochschule Aachen. 

• The departmental labs provide full software support for the E-government program conducted by 

the Egyptian Government. 


• In Egypt the department has relations with many of the national research centers, e.g. Remote 

sensing Authority, National Academy of Science, Egyptian Standards organization, and the industrial 

development agency. 

• In the Middle East we have research and E-learning projects with Emirates, Yemen, and Sudan 

• The department has research projects and protocols with Germany, Sweden, France, and UK. 


84 


• Machine Intelligence 

• Machine learning and Time series forecasting 

• Neural networks and Pattern classification 

• Evolutionary Algorithms and their applications 

• Image Processing 


• E-Learning 

• Parallel Processing 

• Reconfigurable Computing and Compiler Optimization 

• VLSI: Architectures and Design Tools 

• Computer Networks 

• Computer Vision 


• Intelligent Agents 

• Natural Language Processing 

• Neural Networks 

• Pattern Classification 

• Machine learning 

• Time series forecasting 

• Evolutionary Algorithms 



• Parallel Processing 

• Reconfigurable Computing 

• Compiler Optimization 

• Formal Verification 

• Networks on Chip 

• Electro-mechanical ΣΔ Modulators and the associated Decimation Filters 

• Routing 

• Mobile networks 

• Sensor Networks 

• Performance analysis and quality of service issues 

• 3D Object Reconstruction 

• 3D Object Recognition 


• Video Editing 

• Image Annotations 

• Shape Classifications 

• Document Digitization 

• GeoVisualization 

• Data Mining 

• Trusted Computing 

• Vision-based Driver-Assistant 

• Sensor Networks applications 

• Motion Analysis 

• Computer networks and robotics lab under establishment 


• 8 professor (2 are currently Egypt prime minister and minister of administrative development, the 

faculty Dean, and the Assistant to Minister for Communication and Information Technology) 

• 2 Associate professors 

• 6 Assistant Professors. 

• 25 Research and Teaching assistants 

85 



• Education 


• Research 

• Consultations to various government ministries (ICT, Health, Etc) and to the business community. 


• Protocols and contracts through faculty centers 

• Direct financial requests from governmental bodies. 


None 

However two educational software packages are our propriety 


• Peer review by national bodies. 

• Cairo University is the top ranked university in Egypt and is among the top 500 universities in the 

world on the 2007 Shanghai Jaio Tong rankings 


• Member of Egypt university network 

• PROLEARN in France 


• Currently the department is responsible for an EU TEMPUS project with Germany and France 

• The department organizes every year an International IEEE conference on Computer Engineering. 

• Strong cooperation with International Universities and Companies as described above. 


• Ministry of Higher Education 

• Contracts and services with the community 

• Research grants 

• Two years ago, a credit- hour, interdisciplinary B.Sc. program (with the Electrical Communication 

Department) started. Students pay their fees (which was new in Egypt) allowing a better funding 

situation within the department. 



• Computer networks 

• Computer vision 

• Computational intelligence 


• As mentioned above, some Faculty members of the Computer 

• Engineering Department hold key positions in the current government. 

• Graduates of the department usually work with multi-national 

• IT companies (e.g. IBM, Microsoft) 



Faculty of Computers and Information – Cairo University 


5 Dr. Ahmed Zewail Street, Postal Code: 12613, Orman, Giza, Egypt 

webadmin@fci-cu.edu.eg 

86 



Prof. Aly Fahmy 

Dean 

Faculty of Computers and Information 

Cairo University, 

5 Ahmed Zoweil St., Dokki 

Giza, Egypt 

Tel: (+202) 3350107 (+2012) 3420162 

Fax: (+202) 3350109 

Email: a.fahmy@fci-cu.edu.eg> 

Website: http://www.fci-cu.edu.eg 

Personal e-mail: aly.fahmy@gmail.com 


1996 


Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) 


The Institute operates mainly inside Egypt 


Information Technology 


• Data and Text Mining 


• E-Governance 


• Tutorials for Handwriting 

• Speech Recognition 


• Mobile Computing, 

• Software Testing 

• Virtual Reality 

• Information and Network Security 

• Grid Computing 

• Optimization (Decision Support) 

• Futuristic Studies 


Staff members: > 30 

TA Researchers: >100 


• Software development 


• Feasibility studies 



Through special entities, the institute provides: 

• Software development (Commission and/or IPR) 

• Consultation service (Commission) 

• Feasibility studies (Commission) 

• Training (Commission) 

87 



CMMI (application for Level2) 


• Ministry of Communication and Information Technology 

• Ministry of Administrative Development 

• Norwegian Center of Excellence 

• Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA, USA 

• Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment (IZT) Berlin 

• Faculty of Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 

• Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland 

• University Paris-1 Pantheon Sorbonne, France 

• VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic 

• Imperial College Work place London University, London - UK 


• Cooperation Program with ULM University, Germany 

• Cooperation Program with Koeln University, Germany 

• Cooperation Program with Charles University, Czech Republic 

• E-Learning Project supported by UNISCO and EU 




• E-Governance 


• Tutorials for Handwriting 

• Speech Recognition 

• Mobile Computing 

• Software Testing 

• Virtual Reality 

• Information and Network Security 

• Grid Computing 

• Optimization (Decision Support) 

• Futuristic Studies 



National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) 


National Telecommunication Institute, Smart Village /Building 147 B/ Cairo - Alexandria Desert Road 

Cairo/ Egypt 


Dr. Omayma Abdel Mohsen 

Switching Department 

National Telecommunication Institute 

5 Mahmoud El Melighy street, Nasr City, Cairo,Egypt 

omohsen@nti.sci.eg 

oabdelmohsen@yahoo.com 

phone: 02 22640156 / 02 24030657 


1983 

88 



NTI cooperates with most of the Egyptian universities and scientific and Research Institutes. Also NTI 

has good contacts with Industrial organizations 


Egypt – Arab Countries – Africa 


NTI is a main educational, training and research institution in the field of telecommunications. It 

also provides consultancy services and support to the telecommunications sectors in Egypt and 

neighboring countries. 


• Communication Systems 

• Mobile Communications (CDMA, 3G, LTE) 

• Microwave and Optical Communications 

• Microwave Devices 

• Optoelectronics 

• Switching Systems 

• VoIP, MPLS 

• Networking 

• Wireless Network 

• Network Security 


• Next Generation Networks architecture, protocols and services 

• Wireless Networks. 

• Information and communications Network Security 

• VLSI design 


The academic and technical support staff comprises 

• 3 Professors 

• 5 Associate Professors 

• 15 Assistant Professors 

• 25 Teaching assistants and Researchers 

• 20 Engineers 

• 25 Technicians 


• NTI grants two years post graduate diploma in communications and information engineering 

• NTI offers more than 30 short-term telecommunication training course annually. These courses 

are designed to upgrade the technical knowledge and skills of professional engineers and include 

both theoretical lectures and practical hands-on exposure to telecommunications, computers and 

electronics. 

• The institute also offers customized training courses to major companies, where course contents 

are designed to meet companies’ needs. 

• Consultancy Services to the telecommunications sectors in Egypt and neighboring countries 

• NTI manages and supervises the execution of the professional training program, offered to new 

university graduates in the information and communications technology (ICT) fields. This program is 

sponsored by the ministry of communications and information technology (MCIT) in cooperation with 

a group of national and international companies. This program aims at annually preparing 5000 

professionals skilled in information and communications technology fields. 


• NTI is a governmental organization with independent budget. Most of the education and training 

programs are at low or reduced fees. 

• NTI charges other services according to the nominal rates. 

89 



NTI participates in a large number of research and developing committees nation wide. Also NTI 

participates in several International events and activities 


NTI has scientific and training protocols, agreements and cooperation programs with several 

universities, research centers, international companies and organizations working in the 

information and communications technology field. 

NTI signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with different universities and institutes to 

cooperate in research activities and exchange of teaching staff and researchers. 

For Example: 

• Thales Technological University- France. 

• Balearic Islands University - Spain 

• Tashkent university for information technologies, Uzbekistan 

• International telecommunication union (ITU). 

• Japan international cooperation Agency JI 

• Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) 

Also NTI signed MOUs with 

• CISCO 

• Siemens 

• Alcatel 

• Nortel 

• ZTE 

• HP 

• Ericsson 

• Cadence 

• Mentor Graphics 

To cooperate in developing the professional skills of recent graduate engineers and young 

researchers. 


NTI is funded by the government. NTI has its own budget as a governmental entity. Part of the budget 

is self- generated through NTI activities (consultancy services, education and training) 


• Projects, Training, Consultation in the Information and Communications 

• Technology fields 

• Research and Development 

• Exchange of Experts 

• Exchange of Professors and Teaching staff 

• Developing education and training programs 


NTI Scientific Departments 

• Computer and System Department. 

• Network planning Department 

• Transmission Department 

• Electronics Department 

• Switching Department 

NTI Specialized Labs 

• CDMA, Computer networks, Network Management (14 Labs) 


July, 2008 

90 


Center for Wireless Studies (CWS), Electronics and Electrical Communications Department. 


Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt 

Web: http://eng.cu.edu.eg 


Dr. Mohamed Khairy 

Electronics and communications Dept, 

Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University 

Giza 12613, Egypt 

Email: mkhairy@ieee.org 

Dr. Mohamed Abdallah 

Electronics and communications Dept, 


Giza 12613, Egypt 

Email: mabdalah@eng.cu.edu.eg 


2007 


• Cairo University 

• The NTRA (National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority) 

• The Nile university 

• Qatar university 


National, Regional and International, as the CWS in involved in IEEE Standards committees taking 

place all over the world. 


• Telecommunications with the focus on next generation OFDMA-based system e.g. WiMAX. 

• Wireless sensor networks. 

• Information technology 

• Digital design 

• Antenna design for wireless applications 


• Active participation in the IEEE 802.16m standards meeting through contributing to the standard 

by submitting contributions for physical layer specifications. 

• Implementation of Wireless Communication systems 

• Physical layer design and implementation 

• Channel estimation algorithms for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) 

systems 

• Turbo decoder implementation 

• Multiple Antennas system design and implementation 

• Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing (SCFDM) systems design 

• Physical layer algorithms for wireless sensor networks. 


• Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Radio systems 

• Long term Evolution (LTE) systems for future mobile systems 

• Wireless sensor networks with the focus on health and body monitor applications. 


Professors: 8 

Graduate students: 5 

91 



• Design and implementation of Communication systems 

• Integrated Hardware and Software 

• Feasibility studies and technical reports 

. Research projects 


• Research grants 

• Training and consultation 

• Industry collaboration 


Applied for 2 patents : 

• Guard Band Reduction in Mobile WiMAX systems via overlapped Windowing 

• A novel frequency offset estimation techniques in Mobile WiMAX 

Preparing 1 more patent. 



• Consultants to the (National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority) NTRA of Egypt 

• Cooperation with Qatar university. 


Attending and contributing to IEEE 802.16 standards meeting since May 2007 


• National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt 

• Qatar university (funding graduate student research and studies) 


• Collaborating with European universities and companies to design and implement communication 

standards 

• Field programmable field array (FPGA) and Application Specific ICs (ASIC) design for 

Communication systems 

• Research and development of different Mobile and fixed communication standards including 

WiMaX, LTE and Zigbee 


CWS is interested in all aspects of communication systems design and implementation. One of the 

center’s goal is to spin off companies in these different areas with the collaboration of European or 

American partners. 



Communications & Electronics Systems Design Laboratory 



Communications & Electronics Systems Design Laboratory, 

Electronics & Communications Department, 

Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, 

Giza, EGYPT 12613 

Tel: +202 35678197 Fax: +202 35723486 

Web: http://www.eng.cu.edu.eg/ 

92 



Professor Magdi Fikri 

Electronics & Communications Department, 



Tel: +202 35678888 +2010 295 5722 

Fax: +202 35723486 

Email: magdi.fikri@gmail.com 

Professor Ahmed El Bialy 

Systems & Biomedical Engineering Department, 



Tel: +202 35678942 +2010 123 4080 Fax: +202 35723486 

Email : abialy_86@yahoo.com 


1930 


SCEU (Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities) 

Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education 


The group operates mainly inside Egypt 


- Digital Signal Processing 

- Communication Systems 


• Biometric Security System based on Human Iris Recognition 

• Medical Image Processing 

• Synchronization in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)and Orthogonal Frequency • 

Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) 

• Software Defined Radio (SDR) 

• Digital Protection Relays 

• Remote Meter Reading using Power Line Communications 

• Lossless Image Compression 


• Object recognition and tracking in video streams 

• Security systems based on video monitoring 

• Wireless sensor networks 



Professors: 4 


Engineers: 6 


• Development of signal processing algorithms on DSPs (good experience with TI DSPs C6416 and 

Davinci DM6446) 

• Development of real-time embedded prototypes, including hardware and software, based on 

several microcontrollers & DSPs 

• Consultation services 

• Algorithm development and simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK 


93 


Contracting for well - defined jobs (Commission) 

Partnership in research with financial support from research agencies 


Egyptian Patents on: 

• Digital Over-current Protection Relay 

. Automatic Meter Reading System using PLC 


National Supreme Council of Universities Network 


• International conferences 

• Cooperation with Schlumberger SCRC in Seismic Signal Processing project “Multi-channel Blind 

Deconvolution” 


• ITIDA (Information Technology Industry Development Association) 

• Research Grants 

• Income from contracting and business 


• Biometric Security Systems. 

• SDR 

• Medical Image Processing 

• Wireless Sensor Networks 


Cairo, October 2008 

Signal Processing Group, Dept. of Computers and Systems, Electronics Research Institute (ERI) 


Electronics Research Institute 

National Research Center Buildings 

El Tahrir street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. 


Samia Mashali 

Electronics Research Institute 

Computers and Systems Dept. 

Signal Processing Group 

El Tahrir st., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt 

Tel (202)33351631, (202)33310502 

Fax (202)33351631 

samia@eri.sci.eg 

smashaly@mcit.gov.eg 


1989 


• Academy of Scientific Research 

• Ministry of Education and Scientific Research 

• Egyptian Universities 

94 



Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 


• Optical Character Recognition(OCR) 

• Biometrics 


• Image and Video Processing 



• Handwritten Arabic OCR 

• Fingerprint and Iris Recognition 

• Data Mining in Telecommunication and Medical fields 

• Video on Demand 

• Early Detection of Breast Cancer 

• Secondary Protein Structure Prediction 


Total: 200 

Computers and Systems Dept, Professors and Researchers: 50 

Signal Processing Group, Professors and Researchers: 15 


• Consultation Services 

• Feasibility studies 

• Research Projects 


• General University Research groups; payment 

• Collaborating University research groups: free 

• Industry: payment 

• Consultation Services: payment 


Egyptian Universities Network 


• Video Compression, NS, USA (project concluded) 

• Remote Sensing, Ukraine (project in progress) 


• ERI 

• Project Funding (NSF, Scientific Research Fund) 


• Optical Character Recognition(OCR) 

• Biometrics 


• Image and Video Processing 



Cairo, October 2008 

95 


Electronics and Electrical Communications department Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams 

University. 


Electronics and Electrical Communications department, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams 

University1 El-Sarayat St., Abdou-Pasha Square, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt. 

Postal Code: 11517 

Web: http://eng.shams.edu.eg 


Prof. Dr. Wagdi Anis 

Prof. of Communications Eng. 

Email: wagdianis@asunet.shams.edu.eg 

Tel: +202-2682-1800 

Fax: +202-2685-0617 


1990 


• Clausthal University, Germany 

• Dresden, Germany 

• Hanover University, Germany 

• Drexel University, USA 

• McMaster University, Canada 




National 


Electrical Eng. (Computer and Control Systems, Communication and Electronics) 


• Photovoltaic solar systems 

• VLSI, analog and digital design 

• Wireless communication systems. 



• VLSI, analog and digital design 

• Wireless communication systems. 


Total: 78 










96 


• Projects with industry through funding contracts 

• Offered Technical Assistance agreements with public and private sectors 

• Collaboration with Research Centers & groups and funding through agreements 


Accreditation project for the Faculty (under final approval) 


• Academy of Scientific Research & Technology, Egypt 

• IEEE 



Tempus projects 

Many partnerships and collaborations with European and American Universities 


• Industry Modernization Center, Ministry of Trade 




• Photovoltaic powered electric cells. 

• Photovoltaic solar pumping systems for water pumping in rural areas. 

• Photovoltaic powered small refrigerators for vaccines and medicament reservation in rural areas. 

• Photovoltaic powered lighting for roads in rural areas. 






Cairo, Egypt, July 2008. 

Laboratory for lasers and optical communication (LLOC) 


Faculty of engineering, Ain Shams University, 1 Sarayat street, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt, P.C. 11517 


Prof. M. H. Ahmad 

mhahmed00@yahoo.com 

Prof. D. A Khalil 

diaa.khalil@ieee.org 

Dr. A. H. Morshed 

ahmorshed@ieee.org 


1975 


Ain Shams University, National telecommunication Authority, Higher Education Enhancement Project 

Fund, Information Technology Industrial Development Agency 

97 



68.000 Euros 


International 


Optoelectronics and optical engineering 


Optical fiber amplifiers and oscillators, Integrated optics/optical MEMS 


Optical fiber sensors, Optical MEMS, FT spectroscopy 


3 Professors 

2 Associate Professors 

2 Assistant Professors 

5 Assistants 

1 Technicians 


Consultations, R&D projects 


Center of Excellence 


5 patents+ 1 PPA 

• Optical switching Matrix and its manufacturing method 

Publication info: JP2004004713 - 2004-01-08 

• Micromechanical based variable optical attenuator having moving walls with sloped V shaped wall 

stops outside central optical fiber section 

Publication info: FR2849217 - 2004-06-25 

• Optical telecommunications switching having five optical switch connections providing input 

intermediate outputs from four switches and fifth connection providing remaining outputs 


• Matrix of optical switches 


• Variable optical attenuator and a matrix of such attenuators, comprises a mobile structure and a 

coupling device linked to a detector for a higher precision control 



• Institut de Microélectronique, Electromagnétisme et Photonique IMEP- INPG France. MOU 

agreement with INPG and cooperation in research. 

• Group ESIEE Paris, France. Research cooperation in Optical MEMS. 

• Ottawa University, MOU agreement and research project on ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical add 

drop Mux.) 


Governmental and private institutions 


• Development of optical fiber sensors 

• Development of Optical MEMS Spectrometer 

• Development of 40 GB/s optical network 

98 



The laboratory for laser and optical communications LLOC has begun its activity at the Faculty 

of Engineering, Ain Shams University in late seventies with the objective of promoting scientific 

research and building the technical background required for both the educational as well as 

industrial levels in the field of optical communications and optoelectronics. We believe that this is 

a field of strategic as well as economic interest of Egypt and it has a very strong potential in the near 

future. 

Our mission in the Lab is thus to be the leaders in the field of optical communications and 

optoelectronics working in a centre of excellence in this domain that can serve regional and 

worldwide industry, education and research. 



Microstrip and Microwave Engineering group. 

Electronics Research Institute (ERI) 


National Research Center Buildings 

El –Behouth Street, Dokki 

Zip code 12622 

Cairo, Egypt 


Prof. Esmat Abdel- Fattah Abdallah 

Former President of Electronics Research Institute (ERI). 

RF Communication, microwave engineering 

Tel. +202 3337 4998 (Home), +202 3331 0506 (Office) 

Fax +202 3336 8584, Mobile +2012 3290 406 

esmataa2@hotmail.com 


Since 1963, the ERI was a part of the National Research Center (NRC) and since Jan. 1989, it became 

an independent institute. 


• The ERI is a governmental institute affiliated with the Ministry of scientific Research. 

• Electronics and Electrical communication Depts., Faculties of Engineering at both Cairo University 

and Ain Shams University 

• Ministry of Communication and Information Technology 

• Remote Sensing Organization 

• The Holding Company for biological Products and Vaccines (VACERA) (Design and calibration of the 

measuring instruments for virus detection in blood). 


Egypt – Middle East 


• Microwave and Microstrip Engineering 

• RF Communications 

99 



• Antennas (conventional and compact) 

• Transceivers 

• Passive and Active Microwave components 

• Nonreciprocal devices, 

• Communication systems 


• Embedded antennas 

• Compact and wide band microwave components 

• MEMS 

• Ultrawide band antennas 

• Smart antennas 

• EM bandgap structures 


Prof. 2 

Ass. Prof. 4 

researchers 7 

Assistant Researchers 20 


• Training for both the service and production sectors in Egypt 

• Development of Local Industry 

• Research 



• Some projects with the private and public sectors in the field of industry is funded by the Academy 

of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) 

• Cooperation with other departments in the ERI (free) 

• Research other with universities and other research centers (free) 

• Research Projects (research grants) 

• Training courses for engineers (charge) 

• Services to public and private sector (charge) 


A patent was licensed in Egypt and in the process of licensed it in Europe in the field of Holography 


• Through the International cooperation agreement between USA (National Science Foundation) and 

Egypt (ASRT). Examples of these projects are: 

• Development of Three dimensional Human computer Interface System Using Holography, with the 

University of California at Irvine (ended 2003). 

• Miniaturization for Broadband Chip Size Antennas Using EBG Techniques for Wireless 

Communications and Biomedical Applications, with the University of Hawai (in progress). 

• Joint research with the Fraunhofer Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), Germany through 

a project Funded by the EU (FP6) entitled “ Rapid SPR for parallel detection of pathogens in blood, 

etc.” 


• Government (Ministry of Scientific research) joint projects 

• Training in the field of analysis, design and fabrication of microwave components circuits and 

antennas for different private and public sectors 


100 


• Embedded antennas 

• Wearable antennas 

• Electromagnetic bandgap antennas 

• Smart antennas 


Electronics Research Institute (ERI) was established in 1989 and before that it was a part of the 

National Research Centre. It now consists of seven departments namely, Power Electronics and 

Energy Conversion, Computers and Systems, Microstrip, Microwave Engineering, Microelectronics, 

Solar Cells and Informatics. The working force is made of about two hundred research members 

(Professors, Associate and Assistant Prof., Researchers and Assistant Researcher). 



Faculty of Computers and Information, Helwan University 


Helwan University, Faculty of Computers and Information 

Ain Helwan, Helwan, Egypt 

Tel: + 20 2 25481035 - +20 2 25481039 

FAX: +20 2 25547975 

Mobile: +20 10 5000 702 

URL: www.helwan.edu.eg 


Prof. A. Sharaf Eldin 

profase2000@yahoo.com 

Prof. Y. Helmy 

ymhelmy@yahoo.com 


1996 


• Cooperation with the University of Connecticut, USA (Joint PhD Supervision) 

• Cooperation with University of Bolton, UK (research and course delivery – to be implemented) 


Mainly Greater Cairo, Egypt 


IT Research, Training, and Consultation 


• Medical and Bio Informatics 

• Digital Image Processing 


• Computer Arabization 




• Information Storage and Retrieval 

• Neuro-computing 

101 



18 Staff members and 16 technical staff 

Please divide into Professors, Associate professors, Assistant professors and Teaching and Research 

Assistants. 


• Software Research, Development and Implementation 

• Consultation services in IT (Information Technology) 

• Technical Translation in IT (Arabic/English and vise versa) 


Contractual 


Tempus Projects (EU) 

Project SCM-M024A04-2004, The Development of QA Systems within Selected Universities in Egypt 

Project CD_JEP-31053 – 2003, Medical and Bio-Informatics Master Program in Egypt 


Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research. 

Research Grants 




• Information Storage and Retrieval 



The Faculty of computers and Information, Helwan University (FCI-HU) is actively involved in 

research and development projects. We initiated the QA system in HU, introduced medical and bio 

informatics in Egypt. Two of the staff members are among the board of the National Committee for 

Informatics in Egypt. Some staff members and students won international prizes. 



Cairo University – Faculty of Engineering 


Faculty of Engineering – Cairo University – Giza - Egypt 


Dr. Ahmed El-Bialy 

abialy_86@yahoo.com 

Dr. Ahmed Kandil 

ahkandil_1@yahoo.com 


1976 


• Systems and Networks Lab. (SysNet Lab.) 

• Center for Advanced Software and Biomedical Engineering Consultations (CASBEC) 


102 


Egypt – Middle East – Africa 


• Biomedical Engineering 

• Health care services 


• Pattern Recognition 


• Development of pattern recognition techniques for the Arabic language [Optical Character 

Recognition(OCR)]. 

• Computer Assisted Learning using multimedia. 

• Conversion of Arabic Text into Speech (to help persons with visual impairment). This can be 

integrated with Speech Verification System for correcting the pronunciation of people suffering from 

speech impairment. It can also be used to teach illiterate people and to teach Arabic to foreign 

people. 

• Robotics and Nonlinear control for Dynamical Systems. 

• Current research includes a joint research project with the Dental School in the field of 

Cephalometric analysis 

• Automation of health care services – Medical Imaging and Visualization – Rehabilitation based on 

speech and OCR techniques. 


• Dental Information System: A system that could provide dentists with their patient’s information, 

their Examination, their medical images and the financial management of the clinic. Information 

system is not only what automation could support dentists with but also it may support them in 

taking decision about patient’s treatment plans. The major objective of this project is to present a 

vision to computerize an Egyptian dental clinic. In order to achieve such an objective, an Orthodontic 

Information System (OIS) is established. The OIS includes the patient personal information, his 

medical history, his complaints, and his photos (face) from different views and the X-RAY images. 

This data is received over the treatment period to monitor the progress. The OIS is followed by a 

Cephalometric analysis to extract a set of features (points, angles and distances) from the X-RAY 

images. Such features are essential for the Orthodontic surgeon to decide the set of point’s 

displacements to get a final required face shape for the patient. A pre-operative module is the 

Orthomorphing visualization to get a predictable shape based on the decision of the surgeon. This 

module enables the surgeon to evaluate his pre-planed actions before performing the operation. 3D 

Cephalometric Analysis. 

• Design an integrated Hospital Information System which complies with the international standards 

and that can be applied in the Egyptian Hospitals. 


Total: 19 

Professors: 3 



• Software development 

• Development of integrated hardware and software 


• Feasibility studies and technical reports 

• Development of Hospital / clinic Information system 

• Clinical Engineering Information Systems (devices and equipment) 

• Monitoring and Evaluation of Maintenance tasks for medical equipment performed by companies 

and agents 

• Training and continuous education for students and professionals in the field of medical devices, 

information systems, medical standards and software packages 


103 


• Software development (Commission) 

• Integrated Hardware and Software development (Commission) 

• Training and consultation (Fees) 

• Enhancement of hospital / clinic services using Information Technology and quality assurance of 

medical equipment performance(Commision). 


National Network of the Supreme Council of Universities. 


Project to develop a prototype for a myoelectric arm with its training kit (US Aid Program) 


• Cairo University. 

• Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) 

• Center for Advanced Software and Biomedical Engineering Consultations (CASBEC) 


• Design an integrated Hospital Information System which complies with the international 

standards. 

• Development of a Dental simulation system able to predict the final appearance of the patient 

after the treatment. This system will get its data from CT scans and will extract automatically all the 

necessary data. Such a system will consider the properties of the bones and skin and the effect of 

any operation on these materials. 

• Automatic Speech Verification System for correcting the pronunciation of people suffering of 

speech impairment. It can be used to teach Arabic to foreign people. 


The Systems and Biomedical Engineering Department in Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. 

This department was established in 1976, starting with three dedicated staff members and 35 

students. The department nowadays includes over 30 staff members, 800 under graduate students 

and over 100 postgraduate students. The research scope in the department ranges from artificial 

limbs, medical image processing, medical signal processing, speech processing, OCR, virtual 

orthodontic clinic and finite element simulation of implant/bone interface. 


Cairo, August 2008 

7.6. Renewable Energy 

Department of Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Systems. 

Electronics Research Institute (ERI) 


National Research Centre Buildings 

El- Behouth Street 

Dokki, 12622 

Cairo, Egypt 


Prof. Aziza Mahmoud Zaki 

Power Electronics & Renewable Energy Systems 

Chair of Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Dept., ERI 

azizazaki@hotmail.com 

aziza@eri.sci.eg 

104 



Since 1963 as a part of the National Research centre (NRC) and as an Independent institute since Jan 

1989. 


Governmental institute affiliated to the Ministry of scientific Research. 

Power and Machines dept, faculty of engineering, Cairo Univ. & Ain Shams University-Power Eng. 

Dept, Helwan University- Remote sensing organization – Scientific cooperation agreement with many 

foreign countries in Europe, Africa & Asia 


Egypt - Middle East 


• Power Electronics 

• Energy Conversion 

• Renewable Energy systems 

• Power Systems 


• Power Electronics Applications 

• Electrical Drives 

• Renewable Energy systems 

• Power Quality 

• Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) 

• Motion control in Industrial and Mobile Robots 



• Hybrid systems 

• Electrical Vehicles 

• New Drive systems 

• Intelligent Control in Machine drives & power Systems Micro electro 

• Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) 


11 Professors 

5 Associate Professors 


19 Researchers 



• Training courses for service & production sectors engineers - Joint projects through the cooperation 

agreement between Egypt and USA (NSF) 

• Joint research with the Electrical power & Electrical machines Depts., faculty of engineering, Cairo 

University, Ain Shams University and Helwan University. 


• Service to any department in the institute (ERI) is offered free of charge, also joint research 

activities with universities in Egypt are free. 

• Projects to the private and public sectors in the field of industry through the Academy of Scientific 

Research and Technology (ASRT) or through direct contract with production or service sector or 

consultations are offered for suitable fees. Also, training courses to engineers in the industry or 

service sector are with fees. 

105 



Joint projects funded from National Science Foundation (NSF) in the topics of power electronics 

components cooling, Electrical machine analysis. 

Proposal submitted to the European Union (EU) in the field of energy sustainability in public 

buildings. 


Government 

Joint projects (National and International) 

Training courses in power electronics, microprocessors, sensors, electrical drives, renewable energy 


Ready for wide and deeper cooperation in the fields of power electronics applications, electrical 

drives control, renewable energy systems & energy sustainability 


ERI is the Electronics Research Institute. It was established in 1989 and before that it was a part of 

the National Research Centre. It consists of 7 departments namely: 

• Power Electronics & Energy Conversion 

• Computers & Systems 

• Informatics 

• Microwave Engineering 

• Microstrip circuits 

• Solar cells 

• Microelectronics 

About 200 research members (Prof., Assoc. Prof., Assistant Prof., & Assistant Researcher) are 

affiliated to ERI. 



SunPrism For Energy Technology 


Factory address: Ismailia public zone 

Mailing address: 9 Maarouf St. Kasr El Nile, Cairo 11522 Egypt 


Sherif Bahnas 

Tel : (202) 25798334 

Fax : (202) 25795744 

e-mail : sb@sun-prism.com 


2005 



Joint R&D with Cairo University 


• Egypt 

• European Union 

• Light presence in Middle East and Africa 

106 



• Production of PV panels 

• System integration 

• Providing solutions for various applications in Egypt and the Middle East (e.g. Telecom, Oil and 

Gas, Rural Electrification,…) 


• Improvement of system cost efficiency, through product innovation and testing 

• Seeking cheaper complete reliable energy solutions 


• Solar Thermal systems 

• Collector production 

• Grid connected systems 

• Thin film solar cells. 


8 Engineers 

74 Technicians 


• Manufacturing PV modules 

• Installing PV Systems 


The company is a profit making organization, and services are provided for a fee. However, the 

company does provide free training for selected individuals, subsidize components and systems for 

students and research purposes. 


Freiburg Exhibition 2007, Germany 

Freiburg Exhibition 2008, Germany 

Regular attendee of the European PV conference 




To cooperate with companies with the purpose of joint manufacturing in the PV production field, or 

any of the future interests of the company. 


Sun-Prism is a private enterprise specialized in the production of PV cells and in providing full 

system integration 



Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo (Egypt) 


Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University 

1 El-Sarayat St., Abdou-Pasha Square, Abbassia 

Cairo, Egypt, Postal Code: 11517 

Web: http://eng.shams.edu.eg/ 

107 



Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Baz 

Prof. of Power Engineering 

Email: elbaz@link.net 

Tel: +202-2682-1800 

Fax: +202-2685-0617 


1950 


Clausthal University, Germany 

Dresden, Germany 

Hanover University, Germany 

Drexel University, USA 

McMaster University, Canada 




National 


Renewable Energy. 


• New techniques for utilization of wave energy 

• Direct steam generation using solar energy 

• Development of efficient wind turbines 


• Implementation of wave energy extraction system 

• Implementation of direct steam generation system using solar energy 


Total: 64 










• Projects with industry (contracts) 

• Technical Assistance agreements (Fees) 

• Collaboration with Research Centers & groups (Grants) 


Under final approval and accreditation 


• Academy of Scientific Research & Technology, Egypt 

• IEEE 

108 




Partnerships and collaborations with European and American Universities as mentioned earlier 


• Industry Modernization Center, Ministry of Industry & International Trade 




• Solar energy related topics: 

Computational modeling of heat transfer and fluid flow in horizontal pipes used for direct steam 

generation 

Development of new design of linear (Fresnel) solar collectors 

Modeling of a new receiver design for DSG system 

• Wave energy related topics 

• Wave energy surveying along northern coast 

• Development of a new wave energy extraction device. 

• Optimization of wave energy extraction device for northern coast conditions in Egypt 






Cairo, Egypt 

Electrical Power Engineering Dept.,Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University. 


1 Sherief Street, Helwan, Egypt 


Power Electronics 

Prof. Dr. Amr Amin 

Vice Dean, Faculty of Engineering 

amrmaamin@yahoo.com 

Renewable Energy 

Ass. Prof. Dr. Said Elmasry 

Faculty of Engineering, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt. 

saeedee@hotmail.com 


1960 


Egyptian Renewable Energy Authority 

Ministry of Higher Education 


Helwan and Cairo 

109 




• Photovoltaic solar system applications in rural areas 

• Power electronic equipment used with renewable energy systems 

• Energy storage systems 


• Hybrid renewable energy systems : 

• PV/diesel system 

• PV/wind systems 


• Wind energy system with compressed air energy storage 

• Grid connected photovoltaic solar system 


Total of 7 

Professors 2 

Researchers 5 




• Simple Assembly and manufacturing 


• Regular salaries are paid by the government. 

• Services are paid by the service- requesting organization. 


Sothwest Phalia University of Applied Science, Germany 

Brunel, UK 


Conferences 

Workshops 


Ministry of Higher Education 

TEMPUS, EU 

DAAD, Germany 


• Photovoltaic Solar Systems 

• Wind Energy Systems 

• Energy Storage Systems 

• Power electronics 


Research activities start in 1990 with an initial activity in the area of solar system applications in the 

rural areas of Egypt. 

Later the research included the power electronics used with renewable energy systems and their 

storage elements. 



110 


Research group “Materials for Renewable Energy”, Material Science Department, Institute of 

Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University 


163 Horrya Avenue 

Postal Code 21526 Shatby 

Alexandria, Egypt 


Prof. Moataz Solioman 

Material Science Department 

Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University 

msolinam2@yahoo.com 

Tel +2-0106773366 


1983 


• Faculty of engineering, Alex. University 

• Faculty of Pharmacy, Alex. University 

• Faculty of Science, Alex. University 

• Medical Research Institute, Alex. University 

• Mubarak City for Applications of Scientific Research and Technology 


National 


• Conducting and Bio Polymers 

• Buliding Materials 

• Corrosion Control 

• Composite, Biomaterials - Recycling of Materials - wastewater treatment 


• Selective coating for solar collector 

• Thin films solar cells 

• Polymer solar cells 

• Dye sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells 

• Preparation of nanomaterials for drug delivery systems 

• Sensing and photovoltaic applications 


• Materials for hydrogen Storage 

• Fuel cells 

• Biomaterials and biosensors 

• Materials for water Desalination 


5 Professors 


2 Engineers 

3 Chemists 


• Research 



111 



• Research (Grants) 

• Training courses (Fees) 

• Consultations (Fees) 


• Senior Member IEEE 

• Certified Energy Management Engineer from AEE “American Energy Engineer Association” 


National Network of the Supreme Council of Universities 


• Sixth Framework Programme, FP6, EU Project Acronym: Termisol, “New low-emmissivity, and Long 

lasting paints for cost-effective Solar collectors” Proposal no. 031880 

• Proposal for funding by Seventh Framework Programme,” High solar Concentration on Splitted 

cells By Moth-Eyed Fresnel Lenses” (Passed Second Evaluation). 


• Sixth Framework Programme, EU 

• Alexandria University Research Enhancement Program 


• Fabrication of Thin films solar cells by electrochemical deposition. 

• Photovoltaic Training Center for training engineers on the installation, design, and maintaining of 

photovoltaic systems 

• Polymeric photovoltaic cells 

• Dye sensitized nanocrytalline solar cells. 

• Preparation of nanomaterials for sensing devices 

• Preparation of nanomaterials for optoelectronic devices 

• Materials for water desalination 


At the Materials Science Department, we a have multidisciplinary staff “Engineers, Physicists, 

Chemists”. We have a central lab for material characterization. Study of the effects of preparation 

parameters of materials on the device performance (mainly solar cells and sensors) and tailoring the 

properties of the prepared materials are our main interests. 



7. 7. Other 

National Research Center (NRC) 


National Research Center 

El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt 

Email: www.nrc.sci.eg 


112 


Professor Dr. Esmat Abd El-Ghaffar 

Vice president of NRC for Research. 

Tel: +202 37482251 

Fax: +202 33371718 

E-mail: esmat_nrc@yahoo.com 


1956 


• Ministry of State for Scientific Research Ministry of Trade and Industry 

• Ministry of Health and Population 

• Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation 

• Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs 

• Egyptian Universities and research Institutes 


International (Africa-Middle East-Asia-Europe-Canada-USA) 


NRC Is the largest multidisciplinary R&D center in Egypt devoted to basic and applied research within 

the major fields of interest. It includes the following Divisions, with each division including up to 17 

departments : 

• Medical Sciences 

• Genetic engineering and biotechnology 

• Human Genetics and Genome 

• Environmental Sciences 

• Agriculture and Biology 

• Veterinary research 

• Physics 

• Engineering research (mechanics, ICT, renewable energy, aerospace) 

• Textile industries 

Food industry and nutrition [ Fats & oils, Food Sciences and Nutrition, Flavoring Agents, Toxins and 

Food pollutants, Food technology (Agro-food) and Dairy Sciences] 

• Pharmaceutical industries 

• Organic chemical industries, 

• Inorganic chemical industries and mineral resources. 




• Water desalination 

• Renewable energy 

• Food industries 

• Engineering 

• Agriculture Textile 

• Health 




• Water desalination 

• Renewable energy 

• Mechatronics 

• ICT 


2500 Ph.D. holders (Professors-Associate Professors- Researchers). 

113 7. Research centers forms


To conduct research in different fields of natural sciences and advanced technologies to serve the 

national economy and developmental plans. 

Provide services and scientific technological consultations to productive units to solve their 

problems and develop their capabilities. 

Guide the national economy sectors to the requisite of technology and stimulate efforts in the rapid 

assimilation and transfer of imported technologies. 

Train young researchers in various scientific fields as a basis for balanced growth of national 

technological capabilities. 

Contribute to the national efforts for upgrading of science and dissemination of knowledge. 

Strengthen scientific linkages and cooperation through agreements with local and international 

organizations. 


• Research contracts: 

• Academic (grants) 

• Industry (Fees) 

• Industrial services (Fees) 

• Consultation (Fees) 


PC = Physical Chemistry; OC = Organic Chemistry; T = textile; F = Food Industry and Nutrition; A = 

Agriculture; CE = Chemical Engineering; CiE = Civil Engineering; CE = Ceramics; ME = Mechanical 

Engineering; V = Veterinary science; P = Pharmacy, G = Genetics; R = Renewable Energy; E = 

Environmental Studies; M = Medicine; IC = Inorganic Chemistry; Ph = Physics 

The recently accepted patents 

1. A Method for Preparation of Molybdenum Doped Alumina as Anticorrosive Pigment (PC) 

2. A new method for regeneration of nickel catalyst used for hydrogenation of edible oil (PC) 

3. Isolation of Soya oil from the crude commercial lecithin and decolourisation of the pure lecithin 

using simple and economic method (OC) 

4. A simple efficient and generally applicable method for grafting of vinyl monomers onto nylon-6 

fibers (T) 

5. Novel free formaldehyde adhesive system for production of environmentally friendly 

composites from agricultural waste (Artificial wood) (F) 

6. Preparation of Na-A Zeolite from Egyptian kaolin (PC) 

7. Preparation of Na-Pzeolita form Egyptian kaolin (PC) 

8. Preparation of (Na-Faujasite) Zeolite from Egyptian kaolin (PC) 

9. New method for preserving fresh cuts of potatoes, onion and carrots during storage and 

marketing (A) 

10. A Process for improvement of rheological and physical properties of natural rubber by adding a 

filler comprised of molybdenum-doped alumina (PC) 

11. New classes of environmentally friendly scale inhibitors (OC) 

12. Production and application of environmental friendly biopolymers from toxic formaldehyde of 

wood –product adhesive (OC) 

13. Preparation for polyamide membranes via casting technique (CE) 

14. Developing a multi-function apparatus for reinforced earth testing (CiE) 

15. Low fusion opaque porcelain for coating chromium- nickel containing alloys (Ce) 

16. Air lift pump (ME) 

17. Synthesis of PH papers (T) Injection fertilization as full nutrition technique for trees and shrubs 

(A) 

18. Method and equipment for detection of helminthes’ eggs in human and animals (V) 

19. Low fusion translucent porcelain with novel composition and good mach inability for dental 

crown application (C) 

20. A textile cationic softener contain urethane groups (T) 

21. A New method for preparation of Ni catalyst used in Hydrogenation of edible oils (PC) 

22. Oxygen evaluation electrode (PC) Anode for electrochemical reaction (PC) 

23. A novel approach for the control of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (f) using 

mirosporidia (A) Production of natural herbal white cheese (F) 

24. A new way to extract Alstrovansidin for the treatment of congestive heart drop seeds mallow (P) 



• Center of excellence by the COMSATS. 

• Interim regional hub in biosciences for North Africa by NEPAD. 

• Islamic bank award for being the institute that realizes scientific achievement or prominent 

technical development of the country. 

• 4 Mubarak prizes for science and advanced technology. 

• 8 State Merit prizes for basic sciences. 

• 4 Superiority prizes for science and advanced technology. 

• 22 State prizes for basic & applied sciences. 

• 12 Organizations’ prizes. 

• 2 Environmental prizes 


• Consortia of FP7 

• Partnership in USA, Spanish, Italian, Greece, Swedish projects 


FP6 projects: 

• Tailored strategies for the conservation and restoration of archaeological value Cu-based artifacts 

from Mediterranean countries. EFFESTUS. (Project partner Prof. Dr. Venus Kamel Gouda, former) 

Innovative conservation approaches from monitoring and protecting ancient and historic metals 

collections from the Mediterranean basin. PROMET (Project partner Prof. Dr. Venus Kamel Gouda). 

• Mediterranean conservation alliance. MEDAL (Project partner Prof. Dr. Venus Kamel Gouda). 

• Cost effect renewable energy for rural areas in the Mediterranean region. MEDRES (Project partner 

Prof. Dr. Kamel Abed). (R) 

• Sustainable Concepts towards A Zero flow Municipality (Zero-M) (Project Partner Dr. Hussin Abed EL 

Shafey). 

• Promotion and Focusing of current Research Activities of membrane Technology in water treatment 

in the Mediterranean region. 

(Pro-Membrane) (Project Partner Dr. Hussin Abed EL Shafey). 

European Projects: 

• Micro-Nutrients and Plant Nutrition Problem in Egypt Dr. Mohamed M. El Fooly, DSE, Germany 

(1977)(A) 

• Trace Elements with Special Attention to Zink and Copper in Edible Vegetation As Related to 

Egyptian Geographical Distribution And Environmental Surroundings, Dr. Mohamed M. El Fooly, GTZ, 

Germany (1985)(A) 

• New DNA techniques for Identification of mutations in the Beta globin gene in Egyptian 

betaThalassemia patients, Dr. Samia Temtamy Elunido Austria (1993-2001).(G) 

• Establishment of a germplasm collection of Mediterranean Pistacia, Dr. Nabiel A.M.Saleh 

University of Gent Belgium (1995).(P) 

• Improving the Productivity of Grain Sorghum in Upper Egypt, Dr. Nabih Ashour, European 

commission (1996-2001)(A). 

• In Vitro Multiplication Molecular Characterization and Sex Determination of Date Palm, Dr. Hamdy 

Abdel-Aziz, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Italy (1997). (G) 

• Capacity Building on Wastewater Valorization for Agricultural Production in the Middle East Area 

by using Low-cost Treatment Technologies, Dr. Fatma EL Gohary, Wageningen Agricultural University, 

The Netherlands (1997-2006).(E) 

• Salination Control : Control of Salination and Desertification Effects in the Combating 

Mediterranean Region, Dr. Mostafa M. El Fooly, European commission (1999-2003).(A) 

• Evaluation and Methods of Analysis for Determining Mycotoxins Contamination of Egyptian food & 

feed, Dr. Hassan Amra, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna Austria (1999-2003). (F) 

• Natural Products With Potential Cancer static Activity, Dr. Mohamed Hany El Gamal, DFG – GTZ, 

Germany (1999-2001).(P) 

• Development of Cost – effective reclamation technologies for domestic wastewater and the 

appropriate agricultural use of the treated effluent under arid climate conditions, Dr. Fatma EL 

Gohry, European commission (2000-2005).(E) 

• Towards Transgenic Date palm Resistant to notorious pests Dr. Mahmoud M.Saker, International 

Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Italy (2000-2003).(G) 

115 


• Novel Catalytic Technologies for the Treatment of Wastewater from Agro-Food and Industrial 

Production in Med. Countries, Dr. Fatma EL Gohry, European commission (2003-2006). (E) 

• Medicina Genetica per I Paesi del Mediterraneo (Med Gen Med), Dr. Samia Temtamy, M. E. Italy 

(2006-2008).(G) 

• Euro-Mediterranean Network for Genetic Services (Med Ge Net), Dr. Samia Temtamy, European 

commission (2006-2008).(G) 

• A small Hybrid Power System for Nobareya Farm, Dr. Kamal Ahmed Abed, European commission 

(2007-2010).(R) 

• Program Support Unit (PSU) Of the South Sinai Regional Development Program (SSRDP), Dr. Gamal 

Abd El Nasser European commission (2007-2010).(M) 

• Development of Technologies to grow innovative cash crops and use of agricultural waste products 

in South Sinai, Dr. Omima Sawaan, European commission (2007-2010).(A) 

• Preparation of Nanocellul.OSic fillers from Agricultural residues and their application in polymer 

nanocomposites, Dr. Mohamed Lotfy Hassan Sweden (2007-2010).(IC) 

• A role of domestic animals in the contamination of water resources with zoonotic viruses, Dr. Waled 

Morsy Sweden (2008).(E) 

• Quantitative detection of HAV and nor viruses in Egyptian agriculture products associated with 

irrigated water., Dr.Waleed Morsy, Spain (2008).(E) 

U.S. Egypt Partnership: 

• An Anchored Comparative Map of the River Buffalo Genon (V) 

Improving Growth and Productivity of Bean and Soybean Using Biofertilizer Technology.(A) 

• Synthesis Characterization and Application of reactive size to cotton warps(T) 

• Material energy conservation and Waste reduction in pretreatment of cellulosic textiles (T) 

• Development of Innovative Technology for utilization of Tire Wastes of The Transportation and 

Engineering Co.(En) 

• High Yield Pulping of Rice Straw and / or cotton Stalks (OC) 

• Salination Control : Control of Salination and Desertification Effects in the Combating 

Mediterranean Region (E) 

• New Reclaimable size for Improved high Speed weaving and reduced pollution (T) 

• Development of a management system to treat waste water Effluent and use clean Technology for 

Chromium recovery from the Egyptian leather company (E) 

• Design and Manufacture of Stitch Bonded Thermoplastic Textile Composites (T) 

• An Anchored Comparative map of the River Buffalo Genome (V) 

• Formulation and Evaluation of Environmentally Friendly paints (E) 

• Geo-physical Electromagnetic prospecting for Ground Water and Economic Minerals.(En) 

• Upgrading of Over Loaded Stabilization Ponds In Rural Areas(E) 

• Isolation and Characterization of Triazophos (Hostathion) Degrading From Egyptian Soil for the 

Development of Biosensors (OC) 

• Feasibility of Electric Car Powered By Fuel Cell (R) 

• Development of a Multifunction Geosynthetic Testing Apparatus (IC) 

Preparation and Evaluation of New Environmentally Friendly “Lignocellulosic Composites” from 

Waste Agricultural Products (OC) 

• Development of Synthetic Core/Cotton Sheath Friction – Spun Yams Suitable For Specialty 

Industrial Fabrics (T) 

• Mechanism of Phototropism of Complexes Useful for Commercial Application (IC) 

• Investigation and Optimization of the Design Parameters in Photo catalytic Solar Hydrogen 

Production System (R) 

• Polygene Mapping of Hormones that Control Potato Tuber Sprouting (A) 

• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Detection and Development of New Therapies Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) 

Detection and Development of New Therapies (M) 

• New Fibers through Spinning of Modified chitosan Modified Cellulose (T) 

• Evaluation Molecular Analysis and Development of Molecular Markers Linked to Pest Resistance 

Genes in Barley Population (G) 

• Alternative Cap and Liner Systems for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (E) 

• Production & Application of Novel Insecticide & Antimicrobial Textiles (T) 

• Synthesis of Nan crystalline sensing oxides (IC) • Renewable Energy : Wind, concentrator 

Technologies Photovoltaic, &Biomass (R) 

• Highly Durable, Sensitive and Selective Chemical and Optical Sensors on the Basis of Covalently 

Attached Ionospheres (Ph) 

116 


• Effect of elevated temperature and Fire on Structural Elements Retrofitted by carbon Fiber 

Reinforced Polymers(OC) 

• The Development of a Stationary Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)Fuel cell Power System for 

Buildings(R) 

• New Environmental Friendly Development for Reusing Currently and potentially Contaminated and 

Toxic Bio fibers for production(OC) 

• Verification of oocytes and \Embryos for conservation of Animal genetic resources (V) 

• Preparation and Sintering of Nano-Sic from Waste Silica Fume via an Integrated Mechanical and 

Thermal Activation Process(OC) 

• Modeling and Analysis of Geogrid- Reinforced Earth Structures under Earthquake loading(Ge) 

• Developing a basis for commercial biological control tactics for IPM in citrus (A) 

• The Improvement of fertility during heat stress season in cows and buffaloes(V) 

• Catalytic gasification of biomass For synthesis gas (R) 

•Influence of Structures on drainage patterns in the Tushka region south west Egypt (G) 

• Ionic Cross linking-A Novel Method for Fabric stabilization (T) 

• Synthesis of Benzoxazole Derivatives with Potential Antitumor and Antiviral Activity (P) 

• An Integrated Approach to Hydrogen Production and Seawater Desalination using renewable 

resources (R) 

• Preparation of rice-waste reinforced urea-formaldehyde composites with improved moisture 

resistance (OC) 

• Improving oocyte maturation and embryo culture by comparing global expression profiles of in 

vivo and in vitro embryos in cattle and buffalo Improving oocyte maturation and embryo culture by 

comparing global expression profiles of in vivo and in vitro embryos in cattle and buffalo (V) 

Use of Gene transfer techniques for production of new tomato and strawberry variety tolerant to 

nematodes Use of Gene transfer techniques for production of new tomato and strawberry variety 

tolerant to nematodes (G) 

• Improving Healing performance by using chitosan/cellulose nanofibers (T) 

• A study of the flow structures near a stationary and an oscillating impingement plate in a semiconfined 

impinging jet (En) 

• Production of novel probiotic dairy products rich in conjugated linoleic acid (F) 

• Genetic transformation of some pathogensis related genes for fungal resistance into grain legumes 

(fava bean and pea) (G) 

• Deliv ery of antioxidants with cancer-suppressing properties in Egyptian and American baked 

goods (F) 

• Development and evaluation of grass sward filtration system (GSFS) for bio-remediation of 

contaminated water (E) 

• Size effect of fire and heat exposure on structural concrete elements (CiE) 

• Studies of Xenorhabdus and photohabdus spp. Antibiotic activity against pathogens of medical 

and veterinary importance (P) 

• The molecular basis for host range restriction and pathogenicity of avian influenza (H5N1) virus: 

Approaches toward vaccine development (M) 

• Mapping and cloning of genes controlling insect resistance in barely (G) 

Syntheses of novel nitrogenous heterocycles of potential biological and/or pharmacological 

importance (Ph) 

• Formulating a Rule for Moding Optimal Application Strategies for IPM Citrus(A) 

• Development and optimization of pesticide industry effluent treatment system using Nanofiltration 

(NF) and oxidation technologies(OC) 

• Size and shape dependence of exchange-bias in ferromagnetic/ antiferromagnetic nanoparticles 

for high density data storage media (IC) 

• Functionalized membranes for acid catalysis Functionalized membranes for acid catalysis (OC) 

• Possible role of transcription factors in controlling development competence of in vitro produced 

buffalo and bovine embryos Possible role of transcription factors in controlling development 

competence of in vitro produced buffalo and bovine embryos (V) 

• Annual scientific missions to Europe and USA done by NRC staff. 

• Travel of young students to Europe, USA, and Japan to get their PhD degrees. 


• National (Ministry of scientific research) 

• International cooperation. 

117 



• Projects like FP7 or joint projects with Europe, USA, China, Korea and Japan. 

Scientific mission exchange between NRC scientists and similar scientists of these countries. 


NRC is the largest multidisciplinary R&D Center in Egypt devoted to basic and applied research 

within the major fields of interest. It consists of 14 divisions and 106 departments covering the 

major areas of industry, health, environment, agriculture, basic sciences and engineering. The 

Center is headed by a president with ministerial status, assisted by two vice presidents, one for 

research and the other for technical affairs. The minister of state for Scientific Research is the higher 

president of NRC.

the research and innovation system in egypt - ARTI Puglia

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