2nd International Conference of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA – City): The Challenges and Future Prospects of Biotechnology: Bridging Scientific Research with Industry

2nd International Conference of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA – City): The Challenges and Future Prospects of Biotechnology: Bridging Scientific Research with Industry

Under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Mona Mahmoud Abdel Latif; Director of the city; inaugurated the activities of the 2nd International Conference of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA – City) under the title “The Challenges and Future Prospects of Biotechnology: Bridging Scientific Research with Industry” , Headed by Prof. Dr. Abeer Abdel Wahab; Dean of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute; that held during Sunday and Monday, September 1-2 2024, in the presence of Heads of Research Centers, University Presidents, Vice Presidents of Universities and Research Centers, Deans of Faculties and Research Institutes, Directors of industrial companies, and Members of the Academic and Research staff. Biotechnology specialists from various Egyptian universities and Research Centers, along with a group of industrialists, delivered the lectures. The conference also included online lectures delivered by scientists specializing in biotechnology from international universities (University of Mumbai, Tianjin University). “Road Map to Collaboration: Bridging Scientific Research for Innovation and Growth” opened the conference with a panel discussion session. The session included Prof. Dr. Mona Mahmoud Abdel Latif; Director of the City; Prof. Dr. Amr Amin Mohamed Adly; President of the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST); Prof. Dr. Walaa Sheta; Acting Executive President of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF); Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Ramzy Farag; Acting Director of the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI) ; Prof. Dr. Yasser Refaat; Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Research Affairs; Dr. Eng. Amr Ahmed Lotfy; Chairman and Managing Director of Alexandria Mineral Oils Company (AMOC); Major General Engineer Mahmoud Nafeh; Chairman and Managing Director of Alexandria Drainage Company; Eng. Ahmed Gaber Shehata; Chairman and Managing Director of Alexandria Drinking Water Company; Dr. Hanaa Abdel Majeed; Director of Professional Quality of Pharco Pharmaceutical Industries Group and Director of Pharco-B International Chemicals Company. The discussion session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ranya Ali Amer, Professor of Environmental Biotechnology at the Genetic Engineering and Technology Research Institute in the City. The discussion session addressed bridging the outputs of scientific research to industry and the steps taken by Research Centers, Funding Agencies, Decision-Makers and Industrialists to develop a roadmap to maximize the benefit from the outputs of scientific research. During the conference, a joint collaboration protocol was signed between the City and the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the city and the Alamein International University (AIU), and three collaboration protocols were renewed with different research centers and government companies (the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, the Alexandria Drinking Water Company, and the Alexandria Sanitation Company). Collaboration protocol with the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute. The protocol included developing the production of diagnostic materials and vaccines for liver diseases resulting from parasitic infections, establishing a partnership that contributes to achieving sustainable development in implementation of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2030, collaboration in the fields of creativity, innovation, marketing, and promotion of various activities between the two parties, scientific training and academic collaboration, exchange of technical information and scientific visits, holding and supporting scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops, and bridging with industrial, academic, and professional bodies. A memorandum of understanding with the AIU. The memorandum stipulated conducting joint applied research, holding joint training courses and workshops between the two parties, benefiting from all research capabilities, scientific equipment, and central laboratories, the participation of members of the city’s research body in supervising graduation projects for university students, and developing an annual visit and training program for university students in the City. Renewing a cooperation protocol with the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute to encourage scientific collaboration between researchers from both sides to serve the development of the environment and Renewing a collaboration protocol with the Alexandria Drinking Water Company to address the challenges facing the current drinking water system and alternative water Renewing a working agreement with the Alexandria Sanitation Company to set up various programs to reduce the effects of pollution and climate change, produce clean energy, and find alternative water sources in case of water shortages through the program called “Using wastewater treatment technology solutions to ensure a more sustainable future.” On the sidelines of the conference, posters were displayed for the participants in the field of biotechnology and prototypes for students of the Borg Al-Arab technological university and the Innovators School in STEM-Borg Al-Arab, in addition to posters by students at the summer schools for the year 2024 in the conference. Three prizes were awarded for the best posters displayed, and certificates of appreciation were presented to encourage students on the method of presenting research, making posters, and training to participate in international conferences. Prof. Dr. Mona Mahmoud Abdel Latif, Director of the City, confirmed that the conference comes within the framework of cooperation between research centers, institutes, Egyptian universities, and their international counterparts. She added that biotechnology plays an important role in the fields of agricultural and environmental production, as well as regenerative medicine, to overcome the most pressing problems facing humans. Given the capabilities and laboratory equipment that the City possesses and through the expertise and knowledge of the members of the Research Authority to serve the industrial field and support it with research, scientific consultations and the resulting outputs and training services, the City seeks to support the national economy with Egyptian products and knowledge capable of competing in global markets. Prof. Dr. Abeer Abdel Wahab highlighted that this conference aims to enhance collaboration between diverse academic and industrial circles on an international platform, fostering the exchange of knowledge, expertise, research, and innovations within the biotechnology community. This is because biotechnologies encompass a variety of sectors, such as the medical, environmental, and agricultural sectors, which are the conference themes. Medical biotechnology includes personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, and technological approaches to combating diseases. Environmental biotechnology includes modern technologies for dealing with waste and recycling, adapting to climate change, producing clean energy, and developing, using, and regulating biological systems legislation to treat polluted environments. Agricultural biotechnology includes sustainable agriculture, genetically modified organisms, and precision agriculture.

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