Center for

Special Studies and Programs

2004 RESEARCH GRANTS

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina 2004 Research Grants were announced in a newspaper advertisement published in Al Ahram on 2 January 2004 and Al-Ahram Weekly on 8 and 15 January 2004, inviting researchers to apply for the grants.

311 postdoctoral researchers applied, 220 short-listed applicants were accepted and filled out the "Complete Application Form" online, and 97 completed their documents applying for a fund of $4,797,987.

Final selections were made by an International Reviewers Committee with the BA Director chairing the committee that included Mr. Ehsan Masoud (science writer; UK) and Dr. Julia Marton-Lefèvre (Chief of Lead for Environment and Development; UK). Eight researchers where selected. Selection was based on the project objective, its clarity and originality, as well as the project design and budget.

The eight selected winners are:

• Mahmoud Mohamed Kamel Zeid (Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria)
• Mona Ahmed Hussein (Agricultural Sciences, National Research Center, Cairo)
• Wael Nabil Morsi Hozien (Biology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Sohag Branch)
• Omran AbdEllah Omran (Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sohag )
• Ahmed Hassan Ghallab (Engineering Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University)
• Ehab Mohamed El-Kassas (Engineering Sciences and Technologies, Arab Academy for Science & Technology, Alexandria)
• Amir Farouk Zeid (Information Technology, Computer Science Department, American University of Cairo)
• Shymaa Mohamed Arafat (Information Technology, Faculty of Computer Science, Cairo University)

Ahmed Ghallab	Amir Farouk	Ehab El-Kassas	Mahmoud Zeid
Mona Hussein	Omran Omran	Shymaa Arafat	Wael Hozien

A celebration was held on 11 January 2005 to announce the winners. The number of attendees was 107 researchers from all over Egypt.

On 23-24 March 2005, the winners were invited to give presentations describing their proposed researches and to discuss the technicalities pertaining to the research grants of the BA Research Grants program, as well as the initiation of the inaugural phase for the winning projects.

The meetings held in the Fourth Floating Room included the presentation and launch of six proposed projects by representatives of the winning projects. Dr. Mohamed El Faham, Director of the CSSP, presented the Center’s aims, how it endeavors to promote Egyptian science and research development, and how this initiative is a milestone for other Egyptian research funding agencies. He also explained to the grantees the grant procedures and regulations, and how the grant system works within the BA.

He added that CSSP aims to fund outstanding young postdoctoral scientists in Egypt, who perform cutting-edge research across the science and technology spectrum. Also, the CSSP would like to promote scientific public awareness by devising a highly proactive science communications program comprising international conferences, meetings, lectures, workshops and exhibitions aimed at specialists and the general public.

During the meeting, the phases and technicalities of each project were discussed and reviewed by the Technical Committee members, comprising Professor Asser Zaki; CSSP Board Member, Professor Salah Soliman; CSSP Board Member and Dr. El Faham. The meetings also witnessed the signing of contracts by the Principal Researchers and Dr. El Faham, representing the BA.

The interviewed winners of the BA 2004 Research Grants were:

• Shymaa Mohamed Arafat (Information Technology)
• Ahmed Hassan Ghallab (Engineering Sciences & Technologies)
• Mahmoud Mohamed Kamel Zeid (Agricultural Sciences)
• Ehab Mohamed El-Kassas (Engineering Sciences & Technologies)
• Omran AbdEllah Omran (Chemistry)

The 2005 research grants are to be announced in April 2005. The whole process is to take place online, including applying, reviewing and selection.