Launching activities of the Fifth African Conference for Research in Chemistry Education at Ain Shams University

Prof. Ayman Salih, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Graduate Studies and Research, inaugurated the activities of the Fifth African Conference for Research in Chemistry Education, which is held in the center of innovation and entrepreneurship at Ain Shams University, under the auspices of Prof. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of the University, and under the supervision and presence of Prof. Farouk Fahmy, Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University and Chairman of the Conference, Prof. Nadia Kandil, Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Girls, Ain Shams University and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, and Prof. Ghada Bassiouni, Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference.

In a recorded speech during the opening of the conference, Prof. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of the University, welcomed the attendees, stressing that the university's hosting of this important event comes from the belief of the university administration and faculty members that basic sciences have effective contributions in the field of sustainable development, adding that this conference is included in The United Nations series of events within the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development in partnership with UNESCO.

He added that basic science is the basis of the main technologies that stimulate innovation and work to reshape the future. It also contributes to facing the complex challenges of humanity such as climate change and others, as it lays the foundation for new approaches and solutions.

The university president explained that technological innovations affect the way students learn, their ways of communicating and interacting, as well as the integrated learning experience.

A confirmed. Dr.. Mahmoud El-Metini, that teaching chemistry plays a particularly important role in the post-pandemic era, as the pharmaceutical and chemical industries have changed a lot in recent decades, and that we have to ask several questions, including what skills the industry is looking for now? Do universities and high schools meet these needs? And what should students do to be able to compete in the chemistry workforce in the future?, stressing that Ain Shams University, in communication with its partners, will work to support efforts to educate and advocate for the development of science in general and chemistry in particular, and that this conference is a strong reminder of the complexity of Challenges facing the world, hoping that the conference will come up with recommendations that will be reinforced by better educational tools and methodologies.

Prof. Ayman Salih, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, explained that the conference is witnessing participation from African and international bodies from 18 countries, exchanging their knowledge in chemistry and their aspirations and dreams for a better future by preserving and sustaining the environment.

He pointed out that part of Ain Shams University's strategy and policy is to establish a strong scientific network with African and international colleagues.

Also, Dr. Ayman Saleh talked on giving hope to the younger generation, in a world surrounded by economic and political crises, and loyal scholars and think tanks with moral integrity are our hope.

He added that during the past few years, there has been a growing interest in basic sciences at Ain Shams University as well as at the state level with many initiatives such as "science up" and STEM schools, along with increased funding by the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and the Egyptian Authority for Science and Technology Finance. And innovation, as we at Ain Shams University, have encouraged the "scientific circle of chemistry" among the university faculty members as well as interdisciplinary research.

Prof. Ayman Salih, concluded saying, "The issue that I hope you will find time to discuss is the brain drain of chemists from Africa to the Western world... and how they can travel back and forth but still build their countries."

Prof. Dr. Farouk Fahmy stated that this is the first time that the conference is held in Egypt, as the previous sessions of the conference were held in South Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

He added that the conference will last for three days, during which it will discuss several axes, the most important of which are: learning, teaching and evaluation methodologies, curricula, research and development, challenges and opportunities for e-learning, distance learning during the Covid-19 epidemic ... challenges and opportunities, learning and leadership policy, systemic thought. to learn chemistry.

Prof. Nadia Kandil said that the conference is witnessing participation from multiple countries, noting that the conference discusses the role of chemistry in sustainable development, which is a very important topic, and she hoped that the conference would produce useful outputs in this regard.

In her speech, Prof. Ghada Bassiouni thanked the various conference committees, praising the effort that was made to produce the conference with these honorable images, pointing out that the conference had obtained the approval of the UN to include it in the activities of the International Year of Basic Sciences, and thus the conference got the United Nations logo.

You can find out more about the conference, through the link: http://acrice.online/index.php