First Regional Meeting for WAYS
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Alexandria, 28 November 2005— The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is hosting the First Meeting for the Arab Regional Unit of the World Academy of Young Scientists (WAYS), 28-29 November, organized by the Third World Academy of Science-Arab Regional Office (TWAS-ARU). The meeting, which is held in collaboration with WAYS, will discuss major science and technology issues, placing special emphasis on the situation and role of young scientists in the Arab region. The opening session was attended by Dr. Mohamed El-Faham, Director of CSSP at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Dr. Mohamed Hassan, Executive Secretary of TWAS; and Dr. Gaell Mainguy, President of WAYS.
This meeting will be a first step toward the establishment of a regional office for the WAYS-ARU. Its aims at identifying and addressing major issues of importance to science and Arab societies; facilitating interaction among scientists across all disciplines and from all Arab countries; promoting the participation of all young scientists; providing independent authoritative ways to stimulate constructive dialogue between the young scientific community and international organizations; and defining the work plan of WAYS-ARU.
The first day witnessed a DVD Show: The Library of Alexandria, and lectures by Dr. Gaell Mainguy on the role of WAYS; Hany Sweilam, Egypt’s representative, about the status of research in the Arab region; and Dr. Farouk El-Baz, Director of the Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University, who highlighted the challenges facing young Arab scientists. Professor Medhat Haroun, The American University in Cairo, also gave a lecture on motivating scientific research, presenting the AUC model. The president of the Arab Network for Women in Science and Technology (ANWST), Dr. Rafia Obaid, and Mrs. Farida Allaghi, ANWST member, were also among the attendees and gave an overview of the ANWST initiatives and future prospects.
On the second day, participants will be divided into discussion groups that will be looking into the work plan of the Regional Unit and key Arab research themes, and drafting recommendations and work plans.