2004 BA Research Grants underway

Posted on

Alexandria, 6 April 2005—The Center for Special Studies and Programs (CSSP), one of the seven research institutes at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), organized meetings, 23-24 March 2005, 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 six of the winning projects. The program, initiated in February 2004, tackles research in diverse fields: Agricultural Sciences; Biology; Biochemistry and Biophysics; Chemistry; Engineering Sciences and Technologies; Earth Sciences; Information Technology; Mathematics; Medical Sciences; and Physics and Astronomy.

The meetings, held in the Fourth Floating Room, included the presentation and launch of six proposed projects by the winning projects’ representatives. Dr. Mohamed El Faham, Director of 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 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, 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 BA.

The BA 2004 Research Grants’ winners interviewed were:

  • Shymaa Mohamed Arafat (Information Technology)
  • Ahmed Hassan Ghallab (Engineering Sciences & Technologies)
  • Mahmoud Mohamed Kamel Zied (Agricultural Sciences)
  • Ehab Mahmoud El-Kassas (Engineering Sciences & Technologies)
  • Eid Mohamed Darwish (Physics & Astronomy)
  • Omran AbdEllah Omran (Chemistry).
The Center for Special Studies and Programs, established by the Egyptian Presidential Decree No. 361 of 2002, is an independent scientific non-profit institution affiliated to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

In response to the BA 2004 Research Grants announcement made by CSSP, 311 researchers applied in the following research areas; Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Earth Sciences, Information Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, and Engineering Sciences & Technologies. These applications were short-listed to 211 applications, and then to 97.

Announcement of the winning projects of the BA Research Grants program took place on 11 January 2005. Final selection was undertaken by an International Review Committee, chaired by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It was based on the project objective, its clarity and originality, as well as the project design and budget.

The CSSP is to sponsor the winning projects within a framework set by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

 
Mahmoud Mohamed Kamel Zied   The Technical Committee members
 
Eid Mohamed Darwish   Omran AbdEllah Omran


Share