Serageldin gave a plenary lecture at the MathKnow08: Mathematics, Applied Sciences and Real Life Congress, organized by Politecnico of Milan together with Polythechnique de Lausanne, in Milan, Italy. The lecture, entitled Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Rebirth of the Library of Alexandria, demonstrated the role of the BA from ancient times to modern times. The conference gave focus to the vital impact of mathematics on our modern society. The contribution of several world-famous scientists from mathematics and related sciences was of great benefit.