No progress without integrated scientific foundation

Prime Minister Atef Ebeid Tuesday met with Egyptian scientist Dr. Ahmed Zewail, who won the 1999 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Afterwards they were joined by a number of ministers and scientists and along with several businessmen.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ebeid welcomed the renowned scientist, hailing his success at the international level and his accomplishments which are the pride of Egypt.

Ebeid raised a host of questions on how to provide the coming generations with creative potentials greater than those they already possess and how to provide opportunities for them to be linked to the outside world.

The Premier also shed light on the need to maintain contacts between Egyptian scientists inside Egypt and those living abroad.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Zewail said Egypt is passing through a very important historic stage and witnessing a wide-scale turning point under President Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian renowned scientist hailed the huge accomplishments achieved in Egypt which are represented in the prevailing political stability, economic reform programs, mega infrastructure projects in addition to the excellent international status Egypt is holding now.

He also expressed admiration of the progress realized so far in infrastructure ventures especially in the communications domain.

"There are a large number of scientists in Egypt in all fields but they work individually," he noted, adding that the sought scientific base could only be realized through collective action.

Underscoring the importance of setting up an integrated scientific foundation as modern and advanced technology needs specialized experts, Zewail stressed that no progress could be effected without an integrated scientific foundation.