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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 August 2000 Issue No. 495 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 August 2000 Issue No. 495
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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"I spent most of my life abroad, and the only reason I decided to come back to Egypt was to pursue my career," said Essam Zaki, a young molecular biologist. "There's no doubt about it, I would have been in the States right now if it wasn't for this." 'This' is the Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (MUCSAT) in Borg Al-Arab. "My ambition is to build a good career, and MUCSAT gives me this opportunity. Doing this abroad is a piece of cake, but here in Egypt it's an enjoyable challenge," asserted Zaki.
A space for science
By launching a large-scale research and development complex, Egypt hopes to attract the inquisitive minds of Egyptian scientists at home and abroad. Nevine Khalil finds out why everybody is so proud of MUCSAT
photo: Essam Shukri
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters During an inaugural tour of MUCSAT on Sunday, President Hosni Mubarak met with the eager young scientists and their experienced supervisors. "This project is a source of pride for every Egyptian," said Mubarak at the end of his tour which lasted almost three hours. "It addresses the needs of our country and is a landmark achievement. I am proud and have strong faith in the future."
Built on an area of 100 feddans, doubled this week to 200 by presidential decree to provide comfortable accommodations for the scientists, MUCSAT is located close to a large industrial area in the Al-Beheira and Alexandria governorates, home to 40 per cent of Egypt's industries. Providing comfortable accommodations for researchers was a priority for the president. "Instead of apartments, build villas, with gardens," Mubarak instructed officials.
The compound, dominated by three concrete-and-glass pyramids could easily be mistaken for a set from a science fiction movie. Surrounded by wilderness, fresh air, clear skies and silence, MUCSAT, and its white overcoated inhabitants, are removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. But this is MUCSAT's forte.
"I was fascinated that they built this place in the desert. It is ideal," said Zaki, now working as a researcher at the nucleic-acid programme at MUCSAT's Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI). "It provides a suitable, quiet environment for doing research," he added.
Zaki completed his MSc and PhD in Britain, and was working in the US when former Minister for Scientific Research Venice Kamel Gouda was putting together a database on Egyptians working in molecular biology. "I found out about MUCSAT then, and here I am," he stated. He came home in 1995 and so far has registered two patents for DNA fingerprinting, published numerous papers in international journals, and worked on six projects funded by the US and the EU.
"It is a unique city, not only for the Middle East, but worldwide. There's no doubt about it, we're talking about cutting-edge facilities and equipment," said the enthusiastic Zaki.
Hisham Ali El-Enshasi obtained a PhD in Germany and now works on bioprocess development -- in laymen's terms the transfer of research findings to industrial applications. This requires providing a complete research package for the investors including a feasibility study on how to produce and market the products.
El-Enshasi too believes that the facilities at MUCSAT easily meet world standards and the opportunities available will keep him on par with his former colleagues in Germany. "This is very important for a researcher," he stressed. "I am proud to work at MUCSAT because you're working at home but not sacrificing international standards. We go abroad because we are seeking science. If I find good facilities in Egypt, an opportunity to help my country and my community, I will stay and work."
"Scientists need to be provided with the right work atmosphere, similar to conditions abroad. That way they will give more," said Hassan Moawad, director of MUCSAT.
In 1993, a presidential decree paved the way for MUCSAT with the aim of developing facilities of the same calibre as those at Silicon Valley in the US and Bangalore in India.
According to Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Moufid Shehab, MUCSAT will "propel Egypt into the world of advanced technology, which is the essence of advanced nations and a necessity for economic and social development, as well as national security."
"Our scientists are armed with the latest theories and ideas, ready to apply them and lead in the field of scientific research," Shehab told Al-Ahram Weekly.
Shehab's predecessor, Venice Kamel Gouda, believes that programmes at MUCSAT provide the engine needed to drive an Egyptian technological revolution. "It will enable us to make progress in leaps and bounds and cultivate home-grown technology," Gouda told the Weekly. "This will be a prominent landmark if we finish the job properly. Capable Egyptian minds abroad and at home are our capital."
When preparing for this project during her tenure between 1993-1997, Gouda sought the help of expatriate Egyptian scientists. Some German universities had turned down Egyptian students wishing to study in fields which would allow them to participate in building the necessary biotechnological infrastructure for industry. "Only German nationals were allowed to pursue studies in these highly informative fields," Gouda recalled, "so we contacted expatriate scientists in the US, and they found places for our researchers."
'Proud to be here': President Mubarak engages in a conversation with one of the young scientists at MUCSAT during the inaugural tour this week, while Scientific Research Minister Shehab (second from left) and MUCSAT Director Moawad listen attentively
The tasks ahead are still daunting. At the top of MUCSAT's agenda is to act as a catalyst for the integration of the Egyptian scientific community. Towards achieving this goal it will work to attract Egyptian expatriate scientists, provide researchers with comfortable working and living conditions and stimulate the eager minds and imaginations of young scientists. On the business end of its activities, it will market its services and products to the business community. The institute is also charged with preparing for the implementation of the international Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement in 2005.
Director Moawad emphasised the need for laws to ensure MUCSAT's manoeuverability and flexibility. "The city needs to be run like a private sector project," he said. Gouda agreed. "Bureaucracy and red tape hold up everything," she noted.
Moawad believes that MUCSAT is in dire need of a new law regulating administration at the science city. "A law liberating MUCSAT from bureaucratic routine and red tape will motivate researchers and help to enhance their commitment. When Egyptian expatriate scientists find a receptive climate, they will return home, make an effort and work hard." The law must also facilitate joint projects between MUCSAT and the private sector. "We are not undertaking research for the sake of research, but rather to develop products which are profitable and benefit the people," Moawad added.
Only 30 per cent of the scientific compound was finished when the president visited this week. He inaugurated two institutes, namely GEBRI and the Informatics Research Institute (IRI). The third facility in the city -- the Advanced Technologies and New Materials Research Institute (IATNM) -- is almost complete and should be inaugurated soon. Already functioning is the Technology Capabilities Development Centre (TCDC) which has its main facilities in Alexandria. Eight more centres and institutes are planned in the coming phases, and should be completed in the next seven years. They include the Laser Research Institute (LRI), Fine Chemical Research Institute (FCRI) and Environment and Natural Resource Research Institute (ENRRI).
So far, MUCSAT has cost LE75 million to construct, and another LE25 million was spent on equipment. With most of the infrastructure completed, it is still unclear how much more money will be allocated for the completion of MUCSAT, but this is expected to be less than previous expenditures. The MUCSAT compound will eventually accommodate a housing complex, recreations area, conventions centre and national centre for monitoring earthquakes.
"I expect cost and effort will be less in the coming phases, because we covered almost all the infrastructure in phase one," said Moawad.
GEBRI, housed in the largest of the three pyramids in the desert city, is developing a regional and national centre for advanced molecular biotechnology in cooperation with the National Research Institute and various industries. It aims to develop highly profitable products using molecular biotechnology and genetic engineering. The institute will also work to develop and promote molecular biotechnology for industrial uses. With the aim of keeping up with recent developments, GEBRI plans to pursue collaborative projects with international partners. If things go according to plan, GEBRI's activities should eventually generate enough revenue to make it self-sustaining.
GEBRI has already participated in planning Egypt's National Genetic Engineering Strategy, which has given rise to some 35 projects in the fields of food processing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and environmental protection.
IRI was established based on the belief that information plays an essential role in the development process and that informatics is an independent economic sector in its own right, not to mention a highly profitable one. Feeding Egypt's dire need for Information Technology (IT), IRI plays a major role in developing a national strategy for informatics; a national network for the interconnection of all scientific institutes, centres and universities; adapting and transferring IT to Egypt; and creating scientific and technical cadres through advanced training programmes. Some 22 PhD dissertations were researched in cooperation with MUCSAT institutes, 61 more are underway along with 48 MSc theses.
MUCSAT works in close coordination with other research centres across the nation, especially the National Research Centre and under the umbrella of the Higher Council for Research Centres.
Funding for MUCSAT is provided primarily by the government, but also comes from grants and contracts with various government bodies and the private sector. MUCSAT institutes are contracted, either by the government or private sector to research specific subjects, and study the feasibility of their production. Later, MUCSAT would like to be a partner with the private sector to produce the products developed in its constituent institutes so as to generate revenue to be used to fund additional research and to improve salaries.
"To be frank, salaries do not meet international standards," noted the young El-Enshasi. Zaki echoed his opinion: "In comparison with the US and Europe, salaries are lower here, but having said that, the reason why I'm here is to simply carry out research, not to get paid well," Zaki conceded. Nonetheless, the enterprising researcher believes that low salaries can be compensated for by research grants, fellowships and royalties paid for patents. His colleague, El-Enshasi, believes that MUCSAT's resources will improve as it obtains more contracts with the private sector and embarks on joint ventures.
"Good salaries will foster the impression that scientists are appreciated at home, and have the opportunity to free their minds from material concerns in order to concentrate on research," noted former minister Gouda.
A number of expatriate scientists already oversee projects at MUCSAT, or provide study opportunities abroad, but more funds are still needed to attract researchers living abroad.
A small group of 160 researchers and assistants work at MUCSAT, alongside some 180 workers and technicians. More than half the scientific team studied abroad, and were awarded grants to the US, Germany, Belgium and Britain.
Rabab Abul-Magd, pharmacologist and research assistant, has not studied abroad yet, but is very eager for such an opportunity. "I'm working on my MSc now, and hope to go abroad to finish it," she said enthusiastically. She completed her university studies with honours, and was told by a friend to apply at MUCSAT. Now she works in antibiotic production, currently researching Rifamycin, an antibiotic for tuberculosis. Her alternatives upon graduating from her undergraduate studies were to lecture at a university or work for a pharmaceuticals company. "The best choice for me is to be here," she said. Although commuting between her home in Alexandria and Borg Al-Arab everyday is tedious, her discomfort will be alleviated soon when researchers move into a nearby housing compound with their families.
"We are armed with ambitious young scientists who are invading the vital field of applied technology," said Moawad. "Genetic engineering and biotechnology, informatics and new materials are the priority sciences in this millennium, and that's what we have at MUCSAT."
The young scientists chant the same dictum. "Our creativity gene is still intact," El-Enshasi said, quoting Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zweil, "all we needed is suitable soil to nurture it. I think we have that now."
