For the 5th year in succession, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) has organised the Cairo International Exhibition for Innovation at the Fairs Ground in Nasr City, Cairo.
The exhibition, which ran for two days on 8 and 9 November, was opened by Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar. Attending were Tarek Shawqi, Minister of Education; Mahmoud Saqr, President of the ASRT; Hala al-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Administrative Refrom; and South Africa’s Ambassador to Cairo Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.
The exhibition also witnessed participation of representatives from Ministry of Trade and Industry; the Central Bank; Misr-al-Kheir charity Association; and the apparatus of micro, small and medium-sized projects; and many other associations, companies and industry men.
Dr Abdel-Ghaffar lauded the participation of countries from all over the world in the exhibition, making specially mention of South Africa as this round’s guest of honour. He stressed the importance of supporting partners of development and civil society associations such as Banque Misr, Al-Ahly Bank, and Misr Al-Khair Foundation.
Dr Abdel-Ghaffar toured the exhibition, listening to innovators and inventors speak of their projects. Of Egyptian exhibits, he said: “Such remarkable projects on display reflect that Egypt is rich in a human wealth of innovators who can create with the simplest resources.”
Dr Shawki delivered a speech in which he spoke of STEM schools as a model for fostering innovation. STEM is an initiative that aims to provide dynamic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) content to 23 million teachers and students in Egypt.
In her speech, Dr Saeed praised the well-organised exhibition which has become an international arena that would create new opportunities for small and medium-sized industries based on innovation, and to open new horizons for inventors and innovators to market their inventions and innovations in an effective، professional and direct manner.
As to choosing South Africa as this year’s guest of honour, the ambassador said that his country is always keen to cooperate with Egypt especially in the fields of scientific research and technology.
According to Dr Nevine Gamei, CEO of Small, Medium and Small Enterprises Development Agency, the agency was presenting three awards for the best applicable graduation project, the best startup, and the best idea for a small project.
Watani International
11 November 2018