Egyptian scientist Ahmed Zoweil, who strongly believes in the importance of upgrading education in Egypt in order to boost development, has suggested a global partnership, comprising private and governmental organisations, for creating a fund to finance educational reforms here. He envisages capital of $1 billion to start with. Zoweil's suggestion was outlined in a recent article published by the Financial Times, in which he stresses the need to ensure that the Egyptian revolution promote democracy, stability and peace in the Middle East. He suggested that the fund be financed by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development Bank. But would this global contribution to Egypt's educational development lessen the Egyptian enthusiasm for the project? Curiously, long before the revolution, the renowned scientist said that the Egyptians were able to finance such a project from their own resources and savings. So why the volte face? The Egyptians, many of whom once hoped that this well-respected Nobel laureate would be their post-revolutionary president, were expecting him to announce the formation of a council of Egyptian scientists from all over the world to do undertake this task. The idea would be for the council to draw up a comprehensive strategy for Egypt's progress in different sectors, including education, and to prompt the Egyptians to contribute to this project from their own private savings, rather than seeking international help. In an interview with an Egyptian satellite TV programme, Zoweil expressed faith in the Egyptians to carry out the project, providing that the partnership came up with the necessary money. The Egyptians, with their new-found freedom, are now thinking more seriously about their country's development. What Zoweil should have done was to encourage the Egyptians in the local media to support his project, rather than addressing some foreign bodies through the Western media.
