In celebration of International Women in Mathematics Day, Cairo University unveiled two new initiatives aimed at empowering Arab women in the mathematical sciences: the Arab Women in Mathematics Network and the Egyptian Mathematical Society Interactive Platform.
The launch took place during a major ceremony marking both the global event and the 100th anniversary of the university’s Faculty of Science. The initiatives are supported by the International Mathematical Union and backed by University President Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek.
Advancing Equity in Scientific Fields
“These platforms reflect Cairo University’s leadership in championing women’s roles in science,” said Dr. Abdel Sadek. “We are committed to creating an academic environment that offers equal opportunities for innovation and discovery, especially in exact sciences where women remain underrepresented.”
The new platforms aim to foster regional collaboration, connect Arab women mathematicians, and support scientific exchange across borders. The event brought together prominent scholars and researchers from Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond.
Science Empowerment Starts Within
Dr. Ghada Abdel Bari, Acting Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, emphasized that real empowerment begins in research institutions. “This celebration signals an institutional commitment to strengthening women’s presence in STEM fields — not just symbolically, but structurally.”
Dr. Ahmed El-Sherif, Dean of the Faculty of Science, noted that the event served as a launchpad for national research initiatives, developed by both academic leaders and young scholars. “These are homegrown platforms, designed to become regional hubs for scientific inclusion.”
The ceremony also featured the premiere of a documentary titled “100 Years of Light: Women in the Faculty of Science”, which chronicled the contributions of women to the faculty’s century-long journey.
