Serageldin Joins in the Planning of the Science and Technology for Society Event in Japan

The founding members of the group planning the big event on Science and Technology for Society (STS) to be held in November in Japan, met in London at the Royal Society, hosted by Lord Sainsbury, the UK minister for Science and Technology. The meeting was co-chaired by the four convenors of the group of some thirty persons world-wide: Lord May (President of the Royal Society), Bruce Alberts (President, US National Academy of Sciences), Kiyoshi Kurakawa (President of the Japan Science Council) and Former Minister Koji Omi of Japan.

Suzanne Mubarak International Women for Peace Movement (SMIWPM) Launched

The SMIWPM was launched today, holding its first Board meeting and adopting an ambitious program for action that would ensure an important presence for this first movement for women for peace that is initiated in the Arab world. Mrs. Mubarak announced the program of the movement, and presented the Board of Trustees, which included Ismail Serageldin as Treasurer.

التنمية و القيم: مناقشات حرة لنخبة من خبراء البنك الدولي

 تأليف: ديفيد بينان- رامجوبال أجاراوالا سفن بيير ميستر- إسماعيل سراج الدين    Download

العمالة والتنمية: عمالة الشباب

 محسن يوسف و إسماعيل سراج الدين    Download

وثيقة الإسكندرية

 إسماعيل سراج الدين    Download

Capacity Building in Science and Technology Featured at University of Alexandria

At the Geodetic and structural engineering conference held at the Faculty of Engineering of Alexandria University, Ismail Serageldin gave a special lecture on the issues of capacity building in science and technology. A topic of great relevance to the engineering as well as the medical professions, the presentation was well received.

Serageldin Addresses Social Scientists

Ismail Serageldin gave a stirring keynote address on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Social Research Center of the AUC. Before hundreds of social scientists, he gave a stinging critique of the state of social research in Egypt, challenged the current analytical framework of the non-economic social sciences, and discussed technical issues of study deign, measurement and interpretation.

YES Hyderabad Forum ... An Enormous Success

The Hyderabad YES regional Forum was concluded with a valedictory closing ceremony that included thousands of youths from the region in addition to the 1200 persons who had attended the five day event. Ismail Serageldin gave the closing statement on behalf of the conference and read “The Hyderabad Blueprint” adopted by the participating delegations.

Historians of Water Meet in Alexandria

The International Water History Association launched its third international conference at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina today. Ismail Serageldin gave the opening keynote address, a sweeping survey of the issues with a link from the past to the future. The PowerPoint presentation was very well received.

Emerging Humanisms Discussed at the Library of Alexandria

UNESCO held a special conference on Emerging Humanisms on 9-10 December 2003 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Ismail Serageldin gave a special presentation to the participants dealing with the self-image and opening to the other. Using his trademark technique of hundreds of carefully selected pictures, he made a convincing case for the importance of universal values in the definition of cultural identities.

The Past and Future of Alexandria Brings French and Egyptian Scholars Together

The BA’s Center for Alexandrian and Mediterranean studies (ALEXMED) and the French research center CEDEJ organized a conference on the past, present and future of the city of Alexandria. Ismail Serageldin surprised everyone by articulating a vision for the future of Alexandria and describing the urban design issues that needed to be addressed in the context of a future scenario for the transformation of Alexandria.

A Thoughtful Closing Statement at the Conference on Computer Translation

Ismail Serageldin delivered a thoughtful and evocative closing address to the conference on “Convergences 03” organized by the UNU and the UNDL foundation at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), which started on 2 December 2003. The address combining reflections on language, culture and the meaning of meaning and reviewing the current state of work on machine-based translation was well received by the distinguished audience.

Serageldin Issues a Public Statement about "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" Controversy

In response to the enormous public outcry concerning the presence of a copy of the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" in an exhibition at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and the alleged remarks made by a senior official of the BA, Ismail Seraeldin, with characteristic directness issued the following public statement ...

Serageldin Addresses Inter-Academy Meeting about Capacity Building

Ismail Serageldin joined Professor Jacob Palis of Brazil on the podium of the inter-academy meeting in Mexico City today. The two, co-chairs of the International Panel on Capacity Building In Science And Technology (S&T) presented their panel’s final report to the assembled heads and representatives of academies from around the world.

Serageldin Addresses 75th Meeting of ICAD

Ismail Serageldin addressed the 75th meeting of the International Conference on Agriculture and Development. Before a packed audience he articulated his views about the problems of international trade and agriculture in relation to the needs of developing countries.

A Magisterial Lecture on American History and Current Diplomacy

Addressing the Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations, Ismail Serageldin gave a sweeping account of the history of American diplomacy over 200 years, supported by a wide array of lively pictures. He went on to suggest that contemporary relations with the US should be based on a clearly articulated sense of Egyptian interests and that this would yield a stronger relationship, based on clearly defined areas of collaboration and areas where we agree to disagree, and then move on.

Loss of a Friend - Dr. Adel Abu Zahra Passes Away

Dr. Adel Abu Zahra, one of the foremost leaders of the NGO movement passed away on the 30 October 2003 after a difficult illness. Dr. Abu Zahra was a world famous campaigner for righteous causes, who was elected one of the ten most effective NGO leaders in the world.

Umberto Eco at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Distinguished Italian author Umberto Eco visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) today and delivered a lecture on the vegetal and mineral memories and the future of the book. Ismail Serageldin welcomed Dr. eco and chaired the meeting and the debate that was very well attended. Many distinguished visitors came from Cairo and attended the lecture and participated in the debate.

Serageldin Joins in Homage to Taha Hussain

In a two day tribute to Taha Hussain, Egypt's foremost intellectual of the 20th century, many intellectuals joined in a series of scholarly presentations and debates, highlighting the great contributions and open, tolerant thinking of Taha Hussain.

Serageldin Hosts Meetings of Committees of Intellectuals

Over 80 of Egypt's foremost intellectuals met at the Library of Alexandria to chart some of the key actions and projects tat the Library should undertake in the coming years. Ismail Serageldin committed the library to implement two suggestions as others are being developed.

Serageldin Elected VP of Science Academy

The Third world Academy of Science (TWAS), founded by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and a group of distinguished scientists from the third World, completed its twentieth anniversary session in Beijing. The Academy, the largest grouping of all the top scientists from the developing world, elected a number of new officers, including Ismail Serageldin as VP for the Arab World, and Jorge Allende as VP for Latin America.

Serageldin Honors Marie Curie

Before a distinguished audience that included Nobel Laureates, the President of the French Academy of Sciences, the president of the Institut Curie, and distinguished members of the College de France as well as a large number of interested persons, Ismail Serageldin delivered a special memorial lecture to celebrate the centennial of Marie Curie's first Nobel Prize in 1903.

First ever EU sponsored TEMPUS conference held in Alexandria

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Celebrates a Year since its Inauguration

Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, inaugurated a new wing (Exploratorium and exhibition spaces) and presided at a Gala reception celebrates the passing of a year since the formal inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) on 16 October 2003. The event coincided with the visit of the international Associations of friends of the BA, and a particularly large contingent of Greek friends who joined in organizing a part of the evening.

Scientific Responsibility Discussed in Mexico: Serageldin Delivers Magisterial Lecture

Delegates from as far away as Japan and Europe and from all over Latin America met under the aegis of the Mexican branch of Mouvement Universel pour la Responsibilite Scientifique (MURS), the Universal Movement For Scientific Responsibility. This group looks to involve scientists in the public debate on topics ranging from bioethics to nanotechnology, believing that free inquiry should be matched by a responsible deployment of technology.

A Call to Scientists

Delegates form fifteen countries assembling in Mexico city were motivated by a call to scientists jointly issued by Nobel Laureate Jean Dausset and Ismail Serageldin and endorsed buy hundreds of scientists at their meeting in Alexandria on the occasion of the international conference on the Ethics And Social Responsibilities Of Science And Technology held at Alexandria 19-21 October 2002.

BA Staff Meet for Weekly Lectures

Saying that staff working at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) should be well rounded individuals, Serageldin insists that part of every Tuesday is devoted to lectures on wide-ranging topics as well as library related issues. He has so far lectured on the history of the US policy in the world, water and food security. The library is closed to the public on Tuesdays for internal staff training and other matters.

Serageldin Heads Egyptian Delegation at First Japan-Arab Dialogue

Ismail Serageldin, Librarian of Alexandria, headed the Egyptian delegation to the first Japan-Arab dialogue. The Dialogue was initiated in response to a request by Prime Minister Koizumi to both President Mubarak of Egypt and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. It is a special informal (track two) dialogue of eminent persons. The Japanese delegation was headed by Former Prime Minister Hashimoto.

Serageldin Chairs Special Meeting for Establishing Genetic Platform for Food Security for the Developing Countries

Wageningen was the venue for a meeting of the representatives of a consortium of research institutions and universities seeking to establish an open access platform for the utilization of the new life sciences for the 22 basic crops on which the CGIAR works. The consortium comprises a large number of CGIAR centers, spearheaded by IRRI, CIMMYT, and IPGRI.

Serageldin Delivers Keynote Address at 25th Anniversary Meeting of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) in Basel

At the 25th anniversary meeting of the EFB, Ismail Serageldin delivered a rousing keynote speech under the title of Biotechnology on a North-South gradient. Serageldin emphasized that while biotechnology did not constitute a magic bullet for the woes of the developing world, it was one more tool in the toolkit that scientists needed to harness the best in Science d technology to tackle the problems of the poor and the environment in the developing countries.

New Design and Resumption of News Items after a Year of Absence

After a year in which we did not add any news to the website, we are happy to announce that the website is active once more. Ismail Serageldin had such a busy year with the launch of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and its formal inauguration on 16 October 2002, that we did not receive any material from him.

Toxicology Specialists Told of Important Civic and Scientific Role

Serageldin today delivered the keynote address to the society of Toxicology. Rather than look just at the important work done in this field for environmental and human safety, Serageldin also highlighted some unusual risks associated with current research and the importance that scientists like the participants should engage in the discussions of the society at large on everything from ethics to legislation.

Serageldin Decorated as Officer of Arts and Letters

Serageldin received today an important decoration by the French Government, he is now an officer of the order of Arts and Letters. This order, created by President De Gaulle at the recommendation of eminent intellectual and minister of culture Andre Malraux, is intended to parallel the more famous “Légion d’Honneur”.

Biotechnology and Sustainable Development: Voices of the South and North

 Ismail Serageldin, Gabrielle Persley (Co-editors)    Download

قضايا المياه في العالم ( رؤية لقضايا المياه والحياة و البيئة) ، تقرير المفوضية الدولية للمياه للقرن الحادي و العشرين

 إسماعيل سراج الدين    Download

Summer Season Starts with a Bang!

The Bibliotheca Alexandrinas summer festival of the arts soon to be joined by an active book fair and cultural program of lectures started with excellent attendance. About 900 to a 1000 persons attended the open air concert of the works of Omar Khairat played by the BAs own orchestra under the baton of maestro Sherif Mohie Eldin.

Serageldin Speaks out on Poverty

Addressing the closing session of a three-day event on Poverty and human dignity, Ismail Serageldin spoke eloquently of the responsibility of the better off to think of the poor and to combat poverty. The event, a true North/South dialogue organized by Cairo University and its European partners, held its opening and closing sessions at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

High Level Meeting on Tourism Gathers in Alexandria

At the invitation of Mamdouh Beltagy, Egypts Minister of tourism, international figures spent two days in intensive discussion on tourism strategy, globally and regionally. Among the eminent participants were Mauricio Ricuppero of UNCTAD and Francisco Frangialli of the WTO. Ismail Serageldin addressed the group on the issues of tourism and the problem of public goods.

Wageningen University Lecture Series Brings New Perspectives to Students

Distinguished Professor Ismail Serageldin has just completed a series of four public lectures in two days. The richly illustrated series took the students onto the different realms of development theory and practice, starting from the issues of water and agriculture and ending with issues of culture and development.

Shakespeare Monograph in Arabic

The national translation project of Egypt has just issued a translation into Arabic of Serageldin's monograph on the Modernity of Shakespeare. Initial comments from the Egyptian intelligentsia register surprise that Serageldin could be publishing in so many fields, and at such a high level of scholarship in each of them.

Board of Trustees Meets at the New Library of Alexandria

The Board of Trustees of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina met with the Director and adopted the proposed statutes of the Library. They also inspected the many museums, galleries and halls and met with the representatives of the donors and friends. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, chair of the Board, thanked them all for their efforts and their continuing support for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The

Internet Archive Launches Major Initiative with Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Internet Archive of California, USA and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) of Alexandria, Egypt today announced a new partnership to promote the distribution of digital material to all researchers. Brewster Kahle, the founder and CEO of the Internet Archives made a most generous donation valued at $5 million ...

Inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Postponed

The President of Egypt today announced the postponement of the inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), the new Library of Alexandria, from its planned date of April 23, 2002 to a yet unspecified date. The president explained that given the dramatic circumstances in the region and the death of suffering of so many and the mourning and grief that were so generalized, it would be inappropriate for festivities and fireworks, for whatever reason.

World Poverty and Hunger: The Challenge for Science

Science Publishes an Important Essay by Serageldin

Science magazine today published an essay by Ismail Serageldin who called for scientists to take up the cause of justice and the environment. He wrote eloquently of the need to abolish hunger and to reduce the growing divide between rich and poor.

Egyptian Librarians Honor Serageldin as Librarian of Alexandria

The Egyptian libraries association conference, opened its proceedings with honors to a number of individuals, starting with their host, Ismail Serageldin , the new Librarian of Alexandria. This was the 6th National Conference for Librarians and Information Specialists, with the theme of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Window of Egypt on the World.

Suez Canal History Comes to Life at Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The Conference and exhibition, was held by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in cooperation with the Association of Ferdinand de Lesseps for the Suez Canal. The exhibition was about the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, with facsimile pictures of that important event.

Declaration of the Biovision - BA Partnership

At the conclusion of the international biotech conference Federico Mayor and Philippe Demarescaux of Biovision declared a new partnership with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) to hold alternating year events. Biovision, Europes largest forum for the life sciences, holds an international gathering every two years. The BA would therefore follow up on its event every two years on an alternating schedule.

International Gathering Explores the Issues of Biotechnology

The conference Biotechnology and Sustainable Development: Voices of the South and North, under the auspices of Dr. Yousef Wali Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt, was well attended. Participation included many international figures of prominence such as the Secretary general of OECD, and Federico Mayor, Gordon Conway, Rudy Rabbinge, Marc van Montagu, and Magdy Madkour, Adel Beltagy, Jennifer Thompson, and Ismail Serageldin among other notables.

Serageldin Chairs International Architectural Conference

The international conference Architecture and Heritage as a Paradigm for Knowledge and Development closed today with a major address by the Host and chairman Ismail Serageldin. The conference was organized by the Work Program on Architecture and Heritage for Region V for the UIA in collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.