Laying the cornerstone for the National Project by the then-PM and some members of the Cabinet on January 1, 2000
The concept of Zewail City of Science and Technology originated in 1999. Dr Ahmed Zewail presented the idea and the road map for the Project to then-President Hosni Mubarak on the occasion of Egypt’s celebrations of Dr Zewail’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Shortly after this meeting, 300 acres were assigned to what was then called the Zewail Foundation for Science and Technology. The cornerstone was laid on January 1, 2000 in the presence of then-Prime Minister (PM) Atef Ebeid in 6th of October City just outside Cairo. PM Ebeid appropriated a building to the Project in Cairo’s Garden City for the Board and administration offices.
Shortly afterwards, the subsequent Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr Ahmed Nazif, dedicated 127 acres out of this same land to build a private university. Due to legal violations, this land was returned to the government when PM Ahmed Shafik was the head of the Cabinet. On May 11, 2011, after Egypt’s January 25 Revolution, the Cabinet of Ministers issued a decree reassigning the land and buildings to the Zewail City of Science and Technology, dubbing it a National Project for Scientific Renaissance.
Inauguration of Zewail City by the Prime Minister and some members of the Cabinet on November 1, 2011
The Zewail City of Science and Technology is formed of three main constituents: a university, research institutes, and a technology park. Its aim is to bring about effective participation in 21 st Century science, to elevate local technologies to the world level, and to increase national productivity.
After the January 25 Revolution and with a strong national will, we are certain that “Egypt Can” reach this goal in a relatively short time.
In this age of science there is no choice but to ignite a renaissance in education and scientific research. Knowledge is the light of life and as such it is vital for progress and prosperity. Zewail City of Science and Technology will catalyze the transition for acquiring modern sciences of now and tomorrow.
The 20 th Century witnessed revolutions in science and technology that transformed the world. These discoveries and innovations came about as a result of a strong foundation in basic research, the science base, and with scientists working in an atmosphere conducive to attracting creative and independent minds. Examples are numerous: the laser and transistor were the fruits of curiosity-driven basic research, and now they constitute a trillion-dollar-plus world market.
The 21 st Century has also ushered in revolutionary advances but in new frontiers, some of which redefine the meaning of time and distance. In the age of information technology, miniaturization and genomics, we can now communicate with other planets in minutes, manipulate matter at the nanometer and femtosecond scales, and slice or silence a gene. From the infinitely small world (nanoscience and nanotechnology), to the extremely large (cosmology), and to the world of complexity (life sciences), there is no doubt that new innovations will emerge, and knowledge-based societies will have the lion’s share of productivity and progress.
It is also certain that scientists will make new discoveries in the 21 st Century and beyond that will have a continuing impact on the lives of people in many areas, in particular those concerned with health, information, energy, and the environment. Moreover, because productivity at the international level requires the integration of human resources, capital, and technology, it is impossible for a nation to have a real impact on the global economy without a solid scientific base.
In the coming decades, the challenges we face are many, from the search for alternative energy and food sufficiency, to the anticipated development of artificial intelligence, to the questions raised by genetically- or silicon-modified species. Science remains the key for assessing the benefits and risks involved and for providing new opportunities for development. Zewail City of Science and Technology, through its graduates and facilities, will enable such opportunities.
Triad of Essentials
For a National Project of this magnitude to succeed, there are three essentials, each representing a cornerstone, on which the project depends.
First, the academic vision must be charted. This vision was articulated in 1999, and has been augmented since then, with the objective of structuring science and technology to reach an international standard of excellence while at the same time retaining uniqueness in the scope of problems that are of particular relevance to the region.
The second essential of the triad is the establishment of the legal entity. The Cabinet of Ministers’ decrees were essential for defining the legal status and for giving Zewail City of Science and Technology its identity as a National Project. Equally important was the endorsement by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. A special law for Zewail City, when finalized by the Egyptian Parliament, will enable it to be a nonprofit, independent institution and to fully utilize the decrees for the national good.
The final essential of the triad is the financial support to operate and maintain research and development at Zewail City. The Egyptian government has so far re-assigned the original 300 acres of land with the existing two building structures to Zewail City, in addition to an administrative building in central Cairo. The government has also allocated the first installment of funds.
