President of Kafrelsheikh University inaugurates Several Advanced Educational and Research Laboratories at the Faculty of Pharmacy at a Cost of 10 Million Pounds

29/7/2025

 In line with the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in accordance with the state's vision to achieve scientific leadership, innovation, and link education to the labor market and industry, Prof. Abdelrazek Desouky, President of Kafrelsheikh University, inaugurates today, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, several advanced educational and research laboratories at the Faculty of Pharmacy, with a total cost of 10 million pounds. The inauguration is attended by the vices of the president, Dr. Ramadan El-Domany, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and a number of staff members and assistant staff.

The inauguration includes the "Augmented Virtual Reality Laboratory", which is equipped with the latest technologies in cooperation with the Project Management Unit at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This lab represents a qualitative leap in updating methods of pharmaceutical education, learning, and training. It provides students with 3D simulated environments for laboratory and clinical practice, enhancing deep understanding and developing high-quality practical skills. It also contributes to improving the educational process and providing an interactive learning environment, as part of the faculty's commitment to utilizing modern technology to ensure that its graduates are competitive in both local and international labor markets, especially in future job sectors.

The inauguration also includes the "Pharmaceutical and Biological Compounds Analysis Laboratory", established in collaboration with the Higher Education Development Projects Unit. This lab aims to assess the quality of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements and analyze both natural and synthetic active substances, supporting drug development and regulatory processes. The lab also trains postgraduate students on the latest spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis techniques and is currently undergoing accreditation by the National Accreditation Council to offer pharmaceutical quality control services for various pharmaceutical companies. This aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education's strategy to integrate academia with production and service sectors in society.

Another addition is the "Tissue Culture and Preclinical Studies Laboratory", funded by the Faculty of Pharmacy’s own resources. This lab houses a comprehensive range of advanced molecular biology and cell culture equipment, enabling preliminary studies on natural and synthetic compounds to evaluate their biological activities against enzymes, cancerous, inflammatory, and neural cells. It supports the faculty’s research into developing new drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. The lab also assesses cellular toxicity, genetic, and proteomic effects of pharmaceutical compounds, aiding researchers in preparing Preclinical Dossiers essential for new drug development. This is in line with the Ministry's strategy for sustainable innovation.

These advanced facilities have already yielded tangible results, enabling researchers to publish in high-impact international journals and supporting the awarding of Master’s and Doctoral degrees in advanced disciplines such as pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, and biotechnology. As a result, the faculty has ranked the first place in administrative excellence at the university level and entered the top ten nationally in the Egypt Government Excellence Award. Moreover, it has been ranked among the top 200 pharmacy schools worldwide in the Shanghai Ranking and the eighth place in Africa in the 2025 Scimago Ranking, which supports the national strategy for higher education with a focus on internationalization.

During the inauguration, Prof. Abdelrazek Desouky, President of Kafrelsheikh University, states that this achievement reflects the university's commitment to applying the latest global academic and research standards and providing an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. He confirms the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance its partnerships with the Ministry of Higher Education and supporting entities to develop its infrastructure and upgrade its laboratories to meet the demands of both local and global labor markets. He also reaffirms the university’s dedication to internationalizing education, encouraging entrepreneurship, and transforming research outputs into economically valuable products and services.

 

Otherwise, Prof. Ramadan Ahmed El-Domany, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, highlights the importance of continuing this path of modernization and development, viewing the progress as a successful application of the national strategy’s pillars—particularly in integration, interdisciplinarity, active participation, and sustainability. He confirms that the faculty aims to be an active member of the Delta Region Alliance to link education and scientific research with societal needs and enhance competitiveness both locally and internationally. He also praises the efforts of staff members and researchers in advancing the faculty’s status, confirming its commitment to graduating highly qualified pharmaceutical professionals capable of keeping pace with global scientific advancements. He calls on students to make the most of the available resources to develop their practical and research skills.