Revolutionize Egypt's Science Culture

Abstract

In the News Focus story “A new day for Egyptian science?” (15 July, p. [278][1]), A. Lawler presents a refreshing and fairly accurate diagnosis of the ills that have plagued Egyptian research and development and hindered economic progress for decades. These obstacles include anemic science budgets, low salaries for professors, administrative bureaucracies, and corruption. Egyptian research faces another complex problem: the culture within Egyptian universities and scientific institutions. Specifically, the prevalent hierarchical culture in the Egyptian institutions stifles innovation. Young Egyptian scientists trained in some of the world's best universities often return home to stagnant schools with stiff bureaucratic structures run by leaders from the old guard. In the spirit of the 25 January revolution, younger Egyptian scientists should be encouraged to assume leadership positions in their own institutions in order to bring fresh eyes and minds to research and development problems. Egypt's culture also stifles careful scientific process. Science enjoys tremendous respect and public support in Egypt, largely because successful Egyptian scientists are treated as national heroes. However, in rushing for recognition, many scientists publicize misleading scientific findings without even considering publishing in scientific journals, let alone conducting clinical studies ([ 1 ][2]). Simply put, instead of reaching for the stars, most Egyptian scientists strive to be stars. Egyptian scientists need to take a cue from the country's remarkable popular uprising, which required a collective effort rather than individual leaders to bring about a revolutionary regime change. 1. [↵][3] 1. M. El-Sherbeini , Drugs Today 47, 431 (2011). [OpenUrl][4][CrossRef][5][PubMed][6][Web of Science][7] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6040/278.summary [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DDrugs%2BToday%26rft.volume%253D47%26rft.spage%253D431%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1358%252Fdot.2011.47.6.1583185%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21695285%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1358/dot.2011.47.6.1583185&link_type=DOI [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=21695285&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F333%2F6050%2F1702.2.atom [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000292897500003&link_type=ISI