The Faculty Council of the Faculty of Science at Cairo University held its tenth meeting for the 2025/2026 academic year on Saturday, September 12, 2026, chaired by Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy, Dean of the Faculty, and attended by the distinguished members of the Council.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Dean extended her congratulations on the start of the new 2026/2027 academic year, wishing all members of the Faculty—including faculty members, teaching assistants, administrative staff, and students—a successful academic year filled with achievement, excellence, and success.
In a heartfelt gesture reflecting the bonds of loyalty and appreciation among the Faculty of Science family, the Faculty Council mourned, with deep sorrow and grief, the passing of several faculty members. The Council prayed that Almighty God may grant them His vast mercy and admit them into His spacious Paradise, and that He may grant patience and solace to their families, colleagues, and students. The condolences included:
Prof. Dr. Rehab Mahmoud Hafez – Professor, Department of Botany and Microbiology.
Dr. Hanan Hussein Amer – Associate Professor, Department of Biophysics.
Prof. Dr. Ali Abdel Motaleb – Professor, Department of Geology.
Faculty of Science Promotes a Culture of Appreciation and Honors Outstanding Contributions
As part of its commitment to fostering a culture of appreciation and recognizing outstanding efforts, the Faculty Council expressed its sincere thanks and appreciation to Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Mahasen, Professor in the Department of Physics, for his distinguished efforts in organizing the Summer School.
The Council also extended its appreciation to Prof. Dr. Malak Mikhael, Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, for his contributions to the design and printing of the Department of Geology’s plans and diagrams.
The Council further expressed its appreciation to Prof. Dr. Salwa Farouk Thabet, Professor in the Department of Zoology, in recognition of her outstanding efforts and fruitful contributions to the preparation of the Graduate Studies Regulations.
The Council also extended its thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Faculty Printing Press, the General Workshop, the Graduate Studies and Research Administration, and the Education and Student Affairs Administration, in recognition of their dedicated efforts during the examination period, the relocation of administrative units, and preparations for the field visit by the evaluators of the Egypt Government Excellence Award. Their efforts contributed to ensuring the smooth operation of the Faculty and presenting it in a distinguished manner.
Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy emphasized that recognizing outstanding individuals is a fundamental pillar of an institutional culture of work. She praised the efforts of the Faculty community and affirmed that the achievements accomplished are the result of collaboration, teamwork, and sincere dedication.
Faculty of Science Shares First Place in the Best Environmentally Friendly Faculty Competition
In another achievement, the Council congratulated the Faculty on jointly securing first place with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the Best Environmentally Friendly Faculty Competition. The Council emphasized that this achievement reflects the Faculty’s efforts to promote sustainable environmental practices and raise environmental awareness within the university community.
The Council also congratulated the Faculty on the renewal of its ISO certifications in accordance with international standards:
ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems.
ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
ISO 21001:2018 for Educational Organizations Management Systems.
ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems.
The Council affirmed that the renewal of these certifications reflects the Faculty’s continued commitment to applying standards of quality, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and enhancing institutional performance.
Faculty of Science Qualifies for the Field Visit Stage of the Egypt Government Excellence Award
In the area of institutional excellence, the Council congratulated the Faculty of Science on being selected and qualifying for the field visit stage of the fifth cycle of the Egypt Government Excellence Award 2026, in the category of Outstanding Government Institution – Government Faculties.
The Council commended the efforts of the teams involved in preparing the award submission and getting ready for the field visit, emphasizing that the qualification represents an institutional achievement and an incentive to continue improving performance and enhancing the quality of services provided to students and beneficiaries.
“Creative Department” Competition: Positive Competition to Enhance Performance Quality
The Council also praised the results of the “Creative Department” competition for the 2025/2026 academic year, which was based on a comprehensive evaluation according to ten criteria covering various aspects of academic, research, and administrative work.
The Department of Geophysics won first place, the Department of Geology secured second place, and the Department of Zoology came in third.
Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy expressed her sincere appreciation to the winning departments, emphasizing that the competition promotes positive competition and encourages departments to improve their performance and raise the standard of their work.
Scientific and Student Achievements Reflect the Excellence of the Faculty Community
The Council congratulated Dr. Tarek Kabil of the Department of Biotechnology on his selection as a member of the Technical Evaluation, Follow-up, and Performance Assessment Office affiliated with the Office of the Head of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Sector.
The Council also congratulated Professor Dr. Zeinab Mansour, Professor in the Department of Mathematics, President of the Egyptian Women in Mathematics Association, and member of the National Committee for Mathematics, on being selected by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), along with three other Egyptian scientists, to receive a full grant to participate in the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2026) in Philadelphia, United States.
In the student field, the Council congratulated second-level student Hamza Maged Ibrahim on securing second place at Cairo University in the Information Race League competition, and second-level student Wafaa Mahmoud Melegy on securing fourth place. Both students qualified to participate in the “Al-Abakera” competition at the level of Egyptian universities for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The Council also praised the artistic achievement of the Faculty of Science’s “Al-Bosta” theater team, which won two awards during the 19th edition of the Egyptian National Theatre Festival. The production received the Jury’s Special Award for Best Ensemble Performance, while Mahmoud Gratzi shared the award for Best Lighting Design.
“Sustainable Present” Initiative Leads Community Engagement at Cairo University
The Council congratulated the Faculty on securing first place at Cairo University in the Community Initiatives Competition through its “Sustainable Present” initiative, as well as representing the University at the Youth Universities Week in Minya.
The Dean emphasized that community initiatives reflect the Faculty of Science’s role in serving society, connecting scientific knowledge with community needs, and encouraging students to participate in initiatives that create sustainable impact.
Faculty of Science Issues the University’s First Sustainability Report
In a distinguished institutional achievement, the Council congratulated the Faculty of Science on issuing its first Sustainability Report for the 2025/2026 academic year, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, making it the first faculty at Cairo University to issue such a comprehensive institutional report.
Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy emphasized that issuing the report represents an important step toward establishing sustainability as an integrated institutional approach, documenting the Faculty’s efforts, measuring their impact, and continuously improving its performance in environmental and social areas.
Scientific Research Strengthens the Standing of the Faculty of Science
As part of the “Research Highlights” initiative, and in the field of scientific research, the Council reviewed the success of a research team from the Department of Botany and Microbiology in publishing the first comprehensive and documented update of the Egyptian vascular flora in more than fifteen years, in a study entitled:
“An Annotated Checklist for the Egyptian Vascular Flora”
The study was published in the international journal Plant Biosystems, issued by Springer Nature and classified as a Q2 journal.
The Council also reviewed the success of a research team from the Department of Geology, in collaboration with researchers from Switzerland and an Egyptian researcher from PhosPhate Misr Company, in discovering an exceptional fossil assemblage of sharks in the Abu Tartur area of the Western Desert. The fossils date back to the Late Cretaceous period, more than 70 million years ago.
The discovery represents an outstanding example of transforming student graduation projects into research projects suitable for international publication, reflecting the integration of education and scientific research.
Scientific and Community Activities Strengthen Engagement with Society
The Council reviewed a number of scientific and community activities organized by the Faculty, including an educational adventure for children into the world of animals and an introduction to cells under the microscope, organized in cooperation with the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector and the Department of Zoology.
The Council also reviewed the public lecture “Introduction to Petroleum,” organized by the Department of Geophysics, as well as a specialized workshop on Molecular and Computational Biophysics, organized jointly by the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, the Researchers’ Service and Support Center, and the Department of Biophysics.
As part of its efforts to promote scientific culture, the Faculty, in coordination with the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, welcomed a delegation of students from Stanford Egypt School. The visit included the Central Laboratory, the Department of Zoology, and a number of laboratories and scientific units, providing the students with an opportunity to learn about the Faculty’s facilities, disciplines, and scientific and research activities.
The Dean emphasized that these activities reflect the Faculty’s commitment to strengthening communication with society, promoting scientific culture, and encouraging students to study science and discover their scientific talents and abilities.
Supporting Infrastructure and Strengthening the Faculty’s Capabilities
As part of efforts to support the educational process and develop the institutional infrastructure, the Council reviewed a donation of EGP 15 million from Professor Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo, in support of the Faculty and its educational and research mission. The donation has been transferred to the Faculty’s account.
Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy expressed her sincere appreciation for this generous support, emphasizing that it reflects confidence in the standing and scientific mission of the Faculty of Science and contributes to supporting its development plans and strengthening its educational and research capabilities.
The Council also reviewed a donation from Serie Company to contribute to equipping the new premises of the Education and Student Affairs Administration, supporting the development of the work environment and improving the services provided to students.
New Professional Programs Responding to Labor Market Needs
As part of the development of the graduate studies system, the Council reviewed the ministerial decision approving the addition of two professional programs—a Professional Diploma and a Professional Master’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety, offered on a tuition-fee basis—to the Faculty’s internal regulations for graduate studies under the credit-hour system.
The move supports the Faculty’s direction toward introducing specialized professional programs that respond to labor market requirements.
Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy emphasized that expanding professional programs reflects the Faculty’s commitment to preparing qualified scientific and professional cadres and developing graduate programs in line with labor market needs.
Dean of the Faculty of Science: “The New Academic Year Marks a New Beginning Toward Greater Achievement”
At the conclusion of the Council meeting, Professor Dr. Soheir Ramadan Fahmy, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Cairo University, affirmed that the successive achievements accomplished in the areas of institutional excellence, sustainability, quality, scientific research, student activities, and community service represent the genuine result of the solidarity of the Faculty community and its spirit of teamwork.
She emphasized that the Faculty is welcoming the new 2026/2027 academic year with an ambitious vision and renewed determination, building on its achievements while looking toward new horizons in education, scientific research, innovation, and sustainability, in a way that strengthens the Faculty of Science’s position as a leading scientific institution at Cairo University.
She added:
“We believe that true excellence is not achieved through a single accomplishment, but through a continuous journey of work, development, and commitment. Therefore, we are working to ensure that every new step at the Faculty of Science represents a genuine addition to its distinguished scientific history, and that the Faculty remains an environment that supports science, research, and innovation, while being capable of preparing generations that shape the future.”
The Council concluded its meeting by reaffirming its commitment to continuing the journey of achievement and development and preparing for a strong start to the 2026/2027 academic year. The Faculty will continue working to achieve further successes worthy of the history and standing of the Faculty of Science, strengthen its ability to compete and excel locally, regionally, and internationally, and reinforce its role in serving Cairo University, society, and the nation.
Faculty of Science at Cairo University… A legacy of leadership, achievements built today, and a future we shape together.
