Reem Leila speaks with , who this week became Egypt's first female university president On 9 June was appointed president of Alexandria University by presidential decree, becoming the first woman in Egypt to occupy such a senior position in university administration. Hanafi had previously been vice-president for post- graduate and research affairs. She was the deputy dean of Alexandria University Medical Faculty from 2003 until September 2006 and began her academic career as professor of paediatrics at the same medical faculty in January 1995. She begins her new job in August. "I will pay particular attention to the promotion of medical education, scientific research and cooperation with European universities. I will not differentiate between female and male students. They have equal rights and duties," 57-year-old Hanafi said following the news of her appointment. "That I was chosen to head the university is an example of how women are advancing across the board. Egypt's political leadership is committed to advancing the position of women." The decision to appoint Hanafi, who is a member of several children's welfare associations, is seen as part of President Hosni Mubarak's determination to ensure there are no barriers to women occupying senior positions. Two years after the appointment of the country's first female judge, this week the People's Assembly passed a bill reserving 64 parliamentary seats for women. Egypt, the first Arab country to name women as ambassadors, government ministers and MPs, also got a female mayor in December 2008. Hanafi's appointment was praised by the National Council for Women (NCW). NCW Secretary-General Farkhonda Hassan points out that "President Mubarak's decision is a practical personification of his belief in women's capabilities. Egyptian women are reaping the harvest of their long years of struggle to be equal to men." Hanafi refused to discuss any plans she might have for Alexandria University before she begins her new job in 40 days time. All she would say is that she realised she had "a big responsibility awaiting" and hoped "to be up to every body's expectations". It is the students, she continued, that are at the heart of any university. She pledged to initiate and develop new and innovative programmes to help them succeed and equip them not just for the job market, but for life. Alexandria University, founded in 1943, currently has five women serving as faculty deans.
