BUE Boss: Scientific Researched Reached 15m L.E, Nanotech Centre Established "part 2"

Mai Shaheen

By: Mai Shaheen

CAIRO, Dec. 24 (SEE) – President of British University in Egypt (BUE) talked about the decision to raise the budget of the scientific research from 3 million EGP to 15 million, and how the university is trying to retrieve Egypt to its past leading position in Africa.

He affirmed in his interview to ‘SEE’ that the best ambassador for Egypt to the world is the ‘Student’. He talked about the latest research innovation conducted by the university and what has been applied so far.

This was at the second part of the interview, and here its full details.

• How was the work of scientific research organized among the faculty members?

It was something common that the staff member would travel every two years to attend scientific research conference, at the first 10 years of the university operation, but since four years, this conference is being organized every year. The budget for every member, every two years, was set at 15, 000 EGP, it was raised to 25,000 then became now 30, 000. Our goal is to enhance scientific research and provide all the means for it.

We also do not acknowledge any scientific research but only those published in a journals or scientific periodicals of global reputation.

In addition we encourage young researchers, by giving scholarships to them; they have ideas and need budgets to implement them. It was 3 years ago that the researches were evaluated and reviewed and in the case of acceptance, we provide a budget for the researcher of 50,000 pounds, and this year it increased to 75 thousands. And the Evaluation Committee is a neutral jury formed from Egyptian and English sides.

• What is the university’s budget for scientific research?

Since years, it was 3 million pounds, but now the budget has reached 15 million pounds, and the international ranking of the university was raised.

• How did the story of the ‘Scientific Oasis’ begin at the campus of the BUE?

Three years ago, I was only focusing on the scientific research and community service, which is the third message of the university. Therefore, the university gets in contact with the best university in China, which was chosen for its reputation in science and economy. We inked a cooperation agreement upon which that ‘oasis’ was established.

We were impressed by the progress in China, and the fact that one of the goals of universities is to encourage the small businesses, which come from just small ideas develop to become companies competing later on at the markets.

We understand that we will bear the fruits of this ‘oasis’ in the future.

• What about the Nanotechnology Center?

We have 14 scientific research centers; the latest is the Nanotechnology Center. The idea that nanotechnology is available in Egypt in many universities, but it is sporadic and there is no connection between them.

The building and the apparatus were established and professors were appointed. We are trying to spread this thought, and we have 5 prominent scientists in this regard. Among them is Professor Mostafa Elsayed as well as 5 other prominent figures, all constitutes a consulting council.

• Can you tell us more about the Egypt-Africa Center in the university and its role?

It is one of our 14 centers. We have two centers in political studies, managed by two ambassadors, one of which is the Egypt-Africa Center. It was initially managed by Ambassador Mona Omar for 5 years. Now it is managed by Ambassador Ali Al-Hefni, former Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, and the other center is Egypt, Middle East and Asia Center, managed by Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, former Assistant Foreign Minister and former ambassador to Japan for a long time. He was a manager also at the Presidential campaign of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for the first and second terms.

We have a very strong relationship with the African countries. We have the University of Abdel Nasser in Ghana. Two years ago, Mohamed Khamis, chairman and founder of the University’s Board of Trustees, dedicated the statue of the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser to Ghana. Africa loves Egypt because it belongs to the continent and offers studies on Africa.

We want to make Egypt once again a gateway to Africa for the world.. the best ambassador to Egypt in any country is the student, and then we give scholarships, that in the past year, 300 scholarships were granted to African students a BUE and the Shorouk Academy.

There are still places for eligible students. The scholarships include tuition fees, annual travel tickets, accommodation in the university apartments and a monthly stipend of LE 1500.

• Are there other research partnerships?

We have partnerships with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology to cooperate with the European Union to form an ‘Energy Alliance’ with 10 other sides and led by the British University in Egypt, in the first time for a private university to lead a scientific alliance with Egyptian government companies, universities and European universities. That’s also why we establish this year a faculty for energy and environment engineering.

The university is taking part in this alliance with manufacturing a fan for wind power generation, and designing a new 25-meter fan feather, funded by the European Union and Egypt with total fund at 3 million EGP, and implemented and installed in the wind trap area at ‘Ain Sukhna’, the Red Sea.

• Are you planning to lure Professor Magdy Yacoub to teach music at the university?

Dr. Yacoub has a well-known history for all. When you go to his office you will find the music playing in a quiet voice in the background. He sees that the student’s life should not be only about science but it should also be persified.

We have many activities in fraternities, and we have an acting team, and famous shows were played at AUC. We also have a music band. Recently, we established two new departments at the faculty of Arts and Humanities, for the current academic year; “drama” and “theater”, and one music will be taught at one of them.

• Can you tell us more about the new faculties?

We have applied for the establishment of a new faculty for ‘Art and Design’, and are awaiting the completion of the procedures for its establishment. The program is ready and has already the approval of the University of London South Bank, as our main partner, on two of the 4 sections, and we are currently working on the other two.

No one wants the typical faculties. However, a protocol of cooperation with Andersen Tax & Legale was recently signed to establish a faculty of Law at the British University in Egypt. This is because the world now has become a small village and opens to each of its different parts. There are MNCs, so it became important to study international law.

We had an obstacle about teaching the subjects in English, so the approval of the Supreme Council of Private Universities allowed to study the materials by 40% in Arabic and 60% .The other problem was about the approval of the foreign partner. We held several meetings for a whole week and the problem was solved. Now we are in the third year of the academic year of this college.