Endangered universities
Assem Heggy, a Cairo University graduate who has lectured in astronomy at universities in France and America, was speaking recently on satellite television about the bitter reality of Egyptian universities. Dr Heggy blames the routine degeneration on budget cuts for scientific research, which kill the enthusiasm of scholars who are ready and able to create and excel. He believes that the law in Egypt inhibits students from completing their research abroad, as the law stipulates a maximum three-year scholarship for assistant professors or they will otherwise be expelled from their universities. This happened to Heggy himself when he resumed his studies abroad and was expelled from university in Egypt, but when he wished to go back, the university obliged him to consecrate his efforts only to teaching. Heggy decided to go abroad again and nourish his scientific yearnings. The same story may seem familiar to Nobel prize winner Ahmed Zuweil, Sir Magdi Yacoub and many others. This should trigger a clarion bell to the government to solve the setbacks and deficiencies that lurk in the system, to embrace Egyptian scientists when they come back and reserve their positions in universities. They should also allow equipment needed for research to pass through customs without paying duties. Until this happens, don’t be surprised if Egyptian universities are dropped off the list of the best universities round the world.
Rushdy Abul-Saad, Menoufiya
More scientists
The recent trend among a large portion of secondary school students to study arts instead of sciences—in the hope that they would achieve a higher overall score in their Secondary School Certificate exams and thus secure a better opportunity to enrol in university—is a very dangerous road to travel. We may not face the danger now, but we will have to face it in the future. The decreased number of students in the sciences will lower the number of doctors, pharmacists, engineers and scientists that the nation needs. How could we populate the deserts or study outer space without the adequate number of engineers? Where will the new thousands of graduates of the Arts section go in the future? We need to address this phenomenon, or we stand to pay a dear price.
Magdy William, Qena
Better use
Despite the law that bans smoking in public places and transportation, and forbids actors from smoking on screen, and despite the fact that 90 per cent of those suffering from lung cancer are heavy smokers, a new factory for manufacturing tobacco products is currently under establishment in 6th October City at a total cost of six billion Egyptian Pounds. We think this factory would be of much better use if it may produce, instead of tabacco products, processed dried fruits for instance. This is not so far-fetched; many factories in Egypt which used to produce weapons or military ware in the 1960s are today manufacturing home utensils and equipment.
Medhat Farid, Cairo
Protest against al-Jazeera
I was once an ardent admirer of al-Jazeera, but I have lately become a disaffected viewer. The channel apologised to Muslims after it broadcast a programme in which Dr Wafaa Sultan made statements that many people considered insulting to their religion. On the other hand, the channel is currently screening a programme by the Islamic scholar Zaghloul al-Naggar in which he openly mocks Christianity and makes unsubstantiated allegations against it. His allegations in many cases even go against what the Qur’anic texts say about some biblical stories. May God preserve the safety of Egypt and Egyptians and let us continue to live in a true civil State under the doctrine of citizenship as cited at the last constitutional change. This alone is capable of ensuring that people of different religions may live in peace, without having to ridicule one another’s beliefs.
Rev. Alfred Fayeq, Cairo
The last resting place
We, the Copts of South Sinai, whose families settled in the area many years ago and have been working hard and contributing to local development, have a special problem. To our regret, we do not have a plot of land for a cemetery to bury our dead. Families suffer when they have to move with the bodies of their dead to their original birthplaces. We have applied to the Church and to the local authorities to devote a plot of land as a cemetery for the Copts, but in vain, despite the fair and humanitarian nature of our claim. In the name of all the souls of the people of South Sinai, we appeal to the heart of our President Hosni Mubarak to realise this wish.
This letter carried 23 signatures of residents of South Sinai
