Inauguration of the Einstein in Egypt conference
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Alexandria, 18 September 2005—The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) witnessed the inauguration of the Einstein in Egypt conference on Sunday, 18 September. The conference is within the worldwide celebration of physics, and its importance in our everyday life, and of Einstein’s contribution, during the year 2005, the UNESCO declared "World Year of Physics (WYP)".
In the conference’s opening session, Professor Gawad Hamada, Vice President for Higher Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, speaking on behalf of Professor Mohammed Abdellah, President of Alexandria University, pointed out how Albert Einstein’s achievements were a turning point in science. Dr. Abdallah Barakat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, on behalf of Professor Amr Salama, Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, then paid tribute to Einstein and to other Arab scientists such as Professor Mustafa Musharafa Pasha.
The Opening Session also included words by Dr. Saleh Al-Athel, President, King Abdel Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), who highlighted the ancient library’s role and that of the new Library of Alexandria. It was concluded by a presentation by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Dr. Serageldin spoke of the year 1905, “Einstein’s Miraculous Year”, when Einstein published his five major papers at the age of 26. He also touched upon Einstein’s role in the atomic bomb, the general Theory of Relativity, and cosmology. Einstein’s search for a Unified Field Theory was also referred to, as well as quantum mechanics, the Uncertainty Principle, supersymmetry, and more. Dr. Serageldin announced that the BA had received a donation of Professor Mustafa Musharafa Pasha’s notes from his family. The notes were made by the renowned Egyptian scientist during his years of schooling.
Ensuing the opening session, two sessions were given revolving around many topics, including the evolution of science and its boundaries, the interplay of particle physics and cosmology, as well as dusty fluid with peristaltic transport in a slip flow.
Further sessions throughout the three-day conference are planned to take place, shedding light on contributions by eminent Egyptian physicists, such as Musharafa Pasha’s scientific works related to Einstein’s Theories; and Professor Fahmy Mikhail and his contribution. Among the topics that will be touched upon are geometrical methods for general relativity; quantum states of electromagnetic fields; tsunamis; de-coherence; and light-matter interaction.
The conference is accompanied by the Einstein Exhibition, organized in coordination with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNA) till 24 November, 2005, that will shed light on Einstein’s personal life and scientific achievements. In addition, a closed children’s workshop is held, where children are given the opportunity to better understand Einstein’s theories through several experiments.
Visit the website: www.bibalex.org/einstein2005.
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| The Opening Session Speakers |
Dr. Serageldin during
his presentation |