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As part of strengthening academic and research cooperation among Egyptian scientific institutions, the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, headed by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah (Acting Director of SRTA City), received a high-level delegation from Nile University led by Prof. Dr. Asmaa Mohamed Ali, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology.The delegation included a distinguished group of professors, among them Prof. Dr. Sobhy El-Sahimy and Prof. Dr. Sameh El-Sayed Ibrahim, with the attendance of  the deans of SRTA City’s research institutes.This visit aims to open new horizons for joint cooperation in research fields, enhance scientific relations between researchers and their counterparts in Egyptian universities, exchange expertise between both sides, and benefit from advanced laboratory capabilities of SRTA City. This visit took place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah affirmed that SRTA City places great importance on strengthening partnerships with distinguished Egyptian universities such as Nile University. He pointed out that the integration of efforts among research and academic institutions is the optimal way to localize technology and support innovation. He also emphasized that SRTA City opens all its advanced laboratories and semi-industrial units to researchers in order to maximize the benefits of scientific research outputs and transform them into industrial applications that serve the national economy.In this context, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad indicated that SRTA City is in the process of activating the cooperation protocol with Nile University in the coming period. This protocol aims to strengthen strategic partnerships and integrate joint efforts. He explained that it represents a fundamental step toward achieving the City’s development goals and delivering distinguished services in line with its future action plan, serving as a formal framework for activating collaboration in research projects and joint academic supervision.The events started with a presentation delivered by Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, in which he reviewed SRTA City’s capabilities and its role in supporting the innovation ecosystem. This was followed by a field tour, during which Dr. Amr Salah Morsi, Dean of the Arid Land Agriculture Research Institute, accompanied the delegation on a visit to SRTA City’s institutes and advanced laboratories to explore its research and technological capabilities.The program included visits to the central laboratories at the Arid Land Agriculture Research Institute, the Advanced Technology and New Materials Research Institute, and the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute. The delegation also made tour of the semi-industrial pilot unit. The visit concluded with a tour of the Pharmaceutical Industries Development Center.At the end of the tour, the delegation from Nile University expressed its deep appreciation for the significant infrastructural and research advancements taking place at SRTA City. Dr. Asmaa Mohamed Ali praised the world-class standard of the laboratory and the semi-industrial pilot unit visited by the delegation, affirming that they represent a source of pride for Egypt’s scientific research system. 

  Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, Acting Director of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, announced that SRTA city has achieved a new international accomplishment in the 2026 SCImago global ranking. SRTA city advanced to rank (4607) worldwide, placing within the top 42.5%, with an improvement rate of 4.9% compared to last year. This was based on the release of the SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) 2026 results in early April 2026 on the organization’s official website.Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad explained that this progress comes despite challenges and intense competition, as this year’s ranking witnessed a significant increase in the number of listed institutions—from 9,756 institutions in 2025 to 10,827 institutions in 2026, an increase of 1,071 new institutions. The city is also ranked within (Q1), meaning it is among the top 25% of research and academic institutions worldwide.Additionally, four institutes within the city were included in the Q1 category:Arid Lands Agricultural Research Institute (Rank 3473, top 32%) Advanced Technology and New Materials Research Institute (Rank 4757, top 43.9%) Environmental and Natural Materials Research Institute (Rank 5073, top 46.8%) Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (Rank 5385, top 49.7%)  Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah emphasized that this achievement reflects the SRTA city’s commitment to improving the quality of research outputs and directing innovation to serve national goals. He noted that the success in improving its global ranking—despite the increasing number of competing institutions—demonstrates the efficiency of the city’s scientific staff and their ability to keep pace with international standards.He also praised the efforts of researchers across the various institutes that achieved leading positions in the ranking, affirming the continued commitment to providing all necessary resources to strengthen the SRTA city’s status as a center of scientific excellence at both the local and international levels, supporting a knowledge-based economy.  It is worth noting that SRTA city ranked third among research Centers ,Scientific Institutes, in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Arid Lands Agricultural Research Institute ranked second, the Advanced Technology and New Materials Research Institute ranked fourth, the Environmental and Natural Materials Research Institute ranked seventh, and the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute ranked eighth. Additionally, SRTA city secured second place among research centers under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.  It is worth noting that the SCImago global ranking of research and academic institutions is considered one of the most important international rankings. The overall index in this ranking is based on three main indicators as follows: 50% for research performance, 30% for innovation output, and 20% for societal impact.

 As part of implementing the state’s directives to rationalize public spending, and based on the Prime Minister’s Decision No. (932) of 2026, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah – Acting Director of the City – announced the launch of an urgent plan to rationalize consumption and establish strict executive controls in accordance with the current economic conditions.The new plan aims to review all expenditure items across various sectors in a way that ensures resource sustainability and improves operational efficiency, through several key pillars, most notably:First: Establishing urgent controls for operating vehicles and the transportation sector to reduce consumption.Second: Rationalizing energy and utilities consumption.Third: Directing the Contracts and Support Services Department to postpone spending on any needs that are not of absolute necessity.In addition, non-essential travel abroad and exceptional movements are prohibited unless special approvals are obtained and only in the narrowest limits.Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah also emphasized that these measures stem from a sense of national responsibility and a commitment to directing the state’s financial resources toward its most important research and scientific priorities, while maintaining the efficiency of administrative and technical performance within SRTA City . 

In a move reflecting the state's commitment to maximizing the role of scientific research in supporting sustainable development and serving the community, Mr. Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim, Governor of Alexandria, met with Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, Acting Director of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, at the Governorate headquarters on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The meeting focused on exploring avenues for joint cooperation between the City and the Governorate in utilizing the outputs of scientific research to address developmental and environmental issues within the Governorate. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad emphasized that the City of Scientific Research possesses a wealth of scientific expertise and advanced research infrastructure, enabling it to play a pivotal role in supporting the Governorate's executive branch. He noted that the meeting aimed to review several applicable research outputs that can be employed to address the technical and environmental challenges facing Alexandria Governorate. He explained that the City adopts a clear vision based on transforming scientific knowledge into practical solutions that support development plans. He affirmed that applied scientific research represents one of the most important national tools for supporting decision-makers and achieving sustainable development. He added that the city is capable of providing specialized scientific and technical consultations in various fields, most notably agricultural development in urban expansion areas, industrial wastewater treatment in major industrial zones, and providing innovative environmental solutions that support a balance between economic development and environmental preservation. For his part, Engineer Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim, Governor of Alexandria, expressed his appreciation for the distinguished scientific role played by the City of Scientific Research, emphasizing the governorate's full support for strengthening cooperation with national research institutions. This cooperation aims to utilize science to serve development plans and enhance service and development projects in the governorate. He also pointed to the importance of maximizing the utilization of the scientific and research capabilities possessed by the city, given its status as one of the leading scientific centers in Egypt. This will support the process of making executive decisions based on sound scientific principles. At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah presented the city's gold medal to Engineer Ayman Mohamed Ibrahim, Governor of Alexandria, in recognition of his efforts and continuous support for strengthening cooperation between executive and research institutions. He wished him continued success in serving the nation and supporting the development process in Alexandria Governorate.

Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, Acting Director of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, received Dr. Mohamed Mosaad Moharram, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moharram Group for Chemicals, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Businessmen Association, and a member of the City's Board of Directors, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the City's headquarters in New Borg El Arab. The meeting aimed to explore avenues for joint cooperation between the research and industrial sectors. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad presented a detailed overview of the City and its diverse research activities, highlighting its pioneering role in technological development and innovation. He also reviewed the City's advanced ranking in international classifications, emphasizing that it possesses world-class infrastructure and research laboratories, making it a pivotal center for supporting a knowledge-based economy. For his part, Dr. Mohamed Mosaad Moharram expressed his appreciation for the city's significant role in serving science and society. He extended a formal invitation to Professor Mohamed Rashad to visit the Alexandria Businessmen's Association, aiming to explore new avenues for collaboration between researchers and major industrial project owners, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable development. In immediate response, Professor Rashad proposed that the suggested visit to the association include a comprehensive meeting to present the city's industrially applicable research outputs. This proposal aims to market Egyptian innovations and transform them into value-added products for the market, bridge the gap between research laboratories and factories, and provide innovative technological solutions to the challenges facing the chemical sector and national industry. The meeting concluded with both parties affirming that integration between scientific research and the industrial sector is the optimal path to achieving Egypt's vision for comprehensive development and the localization of advanced industries.

Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, Deputy Director of the City for Scientific and Research Affairs, has assumed the duties of Acting Director of the City.