Egyptian academic and former cabinet minister Venice Kamel Gouda passed away last night at age of 87.
Until she passed away, Dr Gouda was a full time Professor with the National Research Centre. She was Egypt’s first female Minister for Scientific Research from 1993 – 1997.
Dr Gouda was born to a middle high class family in 1934. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Ain Shams University in 1956, and a Masters and PhD in 1959 and 1962 respectively from the Cairo University. She had a very fruitful career and was famous for her passion for her work.
Dr Gouda has to her name more than 140 scientific research papers, many of which were translated to other languages. She also has two registered patents in her name.
The Egyptian State honoured Dr Gouda several times, the last of which was in 2017 when President Sisi awarded her the Order of the Sciences and Arts of the first class.
In a Facebook post issued by the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II mourned Dr Gouda, asking God to rest her soul with the righteous, and to bestow on her family and loved ones His solace. Pope Tawadros offered his and the Church’s condolences to the Academy of Scientific Research and all the institutions where Dr Gouda had worked and left her mark.
The Evangelical Church in Egypt, headed by Rev Dr André Zaki, also mourned Dr Gouda and hailed the great scientific achievements she leaves behind.
Watani International
22 March 2021