As a part of Egypt's decade for science and technology, the year 2008 will be considered as the "JapanEgypt Year of Science and Technology 2008", a bilateral initiative from the Japanese and Egyptian Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research as declared by Hany Helal, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education.

This initiative aims at establishing cooperative networks between Egyptian and Japanese scientists and their educational and technological institutes. Among them, are Japan's Society for Promotion of Science and the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. Throughout the year, the agenda will include various activities that support the two countries collaboration, including scientific conferences and workshops. Also, a Japanese science and technology university is planned to be constructed in Alexandria fostering technological and scientific innovation in the African and Arab region.

Egyptian researchers are invited to participate in this initiative by sending their ideas to Dr. Amr Farouk (aabdelkhalik@gmail.com) at the State Ministry of Higher Education And Scientific Research, Center of Strategic Planning And Technical Support. The current fields of focus are Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food, Bioenergy, Aquaculture.