AlFaisal: Research Cooperation Key to Arab Progress

BY: HEBA FOUAD
@HEBAMSALAH

Keynote speaker at AUC’s first Research Day Prince Turki AlFaisal told The Caravan that AUC must connect with other similar institutions throughout the Arab world, through the Internet, or even scholarships offered for students.

“That is the only way that you can reach the level of commonality in research and scientific discovery that we all seek,” the Saudi prince, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, said.

AlFaisal praised the goals behind Research Day: raising awareness and encouraging research from various departments and schools in the university.

He believes it is critical for Arab nations to engage with each other to propagate their research in the region.

“Science and technology is what rules the world today, so the value of research that is done in places like AUC helps in the application of the scientific miracles happening around us in the world,” said Prince AlFaisal.

Research Day, held on March 30, is the first event of its kind to be held at AUC to showcase student and faculty work in different research fields.

Students and faculty showcasing their research competed for prizes, and were evaluated by a panel of faculty members and public figures.

AUC President Thomas Thomason said holding such an event introduces the community to the opportunities that we give our students and faculty, therefore stimulating other people and increasing research on campus.

“If you raise the profile and showcase the students, venture lab, and faculty’s research, it will give a buzz and attract more people into considering it next time and others to fund the research required,” Thomason said.

Associate Professor of international and comparative education Heba El-Deghaidy hopes that the event can help push the idea of research even further beyond AUC and to the Egyptian community as a whole.

“It is a challenging experience that should encourage more participants in the coming years,” El-Deghaidy, who is also a participant, said.

“AUC’s Research Day is a unique opportunity to appreciate the work of talented AUCians who will be at the forefront, leading this country for decades to come,” Vice Provost and Professor in the Department of Physics Ehab AbdelRahman told News@AUC.

AbdelRahman said later that the significance of holding Research Day is “[not only] to invite students to exhibit their work, but to help them find the resources they need to design and present research.”