Dr. Mufid Shehab, Egyptian Minister of High Education and Scientific Research, announced yesterday, that the first Egyptian satellite, “Sat- 1,” will be launched by the end of the current year, to serve peaceful purposes. The Minister spoke at a seminar, entitled “The Future of Scientific Research in Egypt,” hosted by the Dialogue Forum Center at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Dr. Shehab added that the launching of the Sat- 1, comes as a step towards the ministry’s aim to provide support for the development of scientific and technological skills in Egypt.
In his presentation, Dr. Shehab announced several future projects that are being planned by the Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research, such as establishing a “Science and Technology City” in the 6th of October. This is the first city of a kind in the Middle East. A special educational T.V channel, for academy students, will also be launched by the end of May 2004, as well as, the opening of three new faculties for post- graduate studies by next September. Dr. Shehab also spoke of several cooperation programs between the Ministry and several other international educational institutions, such as a 2 million dollars scientific and technological cooperation program with the United States. The Ministry is also planning to sign an agreement with the European Union within the next three months.
As pertaining to the policies of scientific research in Egypt, Dr. Shehab spoke of an increasing amount of government expenditure in support of the field, reaching 1% of the national income in 2003, as compared to 3.5% of national incomes in developed countries. He clarified the role of the Egyptian government as the main financer of scientific research, as opposed to other governments, which provide no more than 30-35% and leave the rest for the private sector. In a presentation of the current ministry’s’ achievements, Dr. Shehab said that in the period from 1981 to 2002, the number of members in the research association, rose from 1389 to 2906, then to 4892 in the year 2004. The ministry also provides serving programs to other governmental institutions, such as the Ministry of Defense, the Health and Population and the Agricultural and Irrigation Ministries.
In reference to progress achieved in fields of intellectual property rights and patents, Dr. Mufid Shehab pointed out that the period required for the acquisition of said rights has decreased from six years to 35 months, in addition to the undertaking of a complete electronic process. “Toknin” is a new project, planned by the ministry to invite Egyptian scientists living abroad, to visit Egypt and present their experiences and knowledge in the different fields of science and technology. Dr. Shehab reported that, through “Toknin,” the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has been able to cooperate with more than 395 scientists from twelve different countries, including Dr. Ahmed Zowail, who contributed to the project of establishing the National Laser Institute, and Dr. Farouk El Baz, in the field of remote sensoring.
At the end of the seminar, Dr. Shehab spoke of suggested policies for the support of scientific research in Egypt, particularly of those suggested by two parliamentary members, calling for more support by the private sector.