On Wednesday 27 June, Zewail City of Science and Technology celebrated the graduation of the first batch of engineering and science departments from the university. The batch includes 250 graduates representing engineering disciplines including environmental, nanotechnology, renewable energy, space, as well as information and communication engineering. The graduation of the first batch is a reflection of the City system, which aims to create a creative scientific mind with the help of faculty members. The City plan is in line with Egypt's 2030 strategy for sustainable development. The ceremony was attended by of Dr. Sherif Sedki, Executive Director of Zewail City for Science and Technology, Dr. Mustafa El-Sayed, Chairman of Zewail City of Science and Technology, Sir Magdy Yaqoub, Professor at the Imperial College London and President of the Magdy Yaqoub Heart Foundation, Dr. Mohamed Abul-Ghar, Professor of Medical Sciences at Cairo University and representative of the Ministry of Higher Education. Also attending were Dr. Fayza Abul-Naga, Advisor to the President of the State for Security Affairs, Dr. Mahmoud Sakr, President of the Scientific Research and Technology Academy, Dr. Farouk El-Okda, former Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Engineer Sameeh Sawiris, Founder and Chairman of Orascom Development Holding Company, Dr. Mona Zulfakar, Founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Zewail City for Science and Technology, and Dima El-Faham, the wife of the late Ahmed Zewail. “I am proud to see 250 graduates from the Zewail City for Science and Technology preparing not only to start their careers but also to promote the university's principles and objectives,” said Executive Director Sedki. “I hope our graduates will be an honourable and living example of the efforts of all the staff of the university's professors and officials.” Chairman El-Sayed pointed out that the economic output from education and scientific research could far exceed that of other sectors. “The economic return from education and scientific research would put Egypt in the forefront,” he said, adding that the Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail had wished to create a scientific city similar to the Max Planck in Germany.
