 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A noble profession honoured
By Dahlia HammoudaGraduates of the last three classes of Cairo University's High Institute for Nursing were honoured at a 20 January ceremony. The event -- held on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the institute's establishment -- was attended by Mrs Suzanne Mubarak.
At the outset of her keynote speech, Mrs Mubarak expressed her profound pleasure in attending the event and having the opportunity to congratulate the graduates.
"This occasion carries special significance for me -- it takes me back in memory to five years ago, when I participated in the inauguration of the institute's new building in 1994. At the time, I had great hopes for the institute's success, especially after it was given financial, scientific and organisational capabilities that were unavailable before. I am very happy to see its accomplishments today," she said.
Mrs Mubarak underscored the importance of the nursing profession as one of the primary determinants of the success of any ambitious health care policy.
She said that she had previously called for the necessity of finding means for improving the field of nursing. The channels through which this can be done, according to her, include developing the concept of nursing, which should be considered an integrated process, comprised of both therapeutic and psychological dimensions.
Also, members of the nursing corps should receive adequate professional training, which entails modernising syllabuses and organising specialised training courses. Lastly, linkages between nursing services and the promotion of health awareness are central, especially in rural areas where nurses play a major role in familiarising people with ways of healthy living.
Addressing the young female graduates, Mrs Mubarak stressed the value of excellence in their work -- for more than one reason. "In this profession, you are not only working to raise its standards, you are playing a very important role in raising the status of women in our society," she said. Mrs Mubarak expressed her belief that the best way for women to prove their competence is to give their best at work. Women should carry out their work responsibilities with the same fervour that they demand their rights, she said.
Following Mrs Mubarak's speech, Moufid Shehab, minister of higher education and scientific research, hailed her tireless efforts on the social and cultural fronts. He said that by honouring the institute's graduates she helps to raise the status of the nursing profession and send a message to society to hold nurses in greater esteem and to appreciate their critical role in this noble humanitarian vocation.
Meanwhile, the American University in Cairo's (AUC) administration has unanimously decided to award Mrs Mubarak an honorary doctorate at the first semi-annual commencement ceremony for Bachelor of Arts students for the year 2000. The event -- to be held on 3 February at the Cairo International Conference Centre -- will be attended by the university's trustees, Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, who is also a former AUC professor, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Moufid Shehab, in addition to numerous public figures and parents.
Mrs Mubarak received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1977 and her Master's degree in Sociology in 1982 from AUC. The title of her MA thesis was Social action research in Egypt: A case study of primary school upgrading in Boulaq.
Mrs Mubarak will deliver this semester's commencement address.
