The Faculty of Agriculture at Ain Shams University achieved a significant milestone by securing the third position in the inaugural 2026 University Innovation Summit. This accomplishment was made possible through a graduation project presented by a team from the Food Science Department. The project focused on employing enzymatically decomposed whey in the production of functional sherbet with high nutritional value.
The 2026 University Innovation Summit witnessed the participation of over 1000 attendees, in addition to 100 projects submitted by 30 universities and 24 schools. These projects were distributed across eight specialized technological alliances, all within the framework of the technological alliances supported by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology through the "My Project, My Beginning" program.
The team representing the Faculty of Agriculture in this project was led by Professor Dr. Azza Farhat, along with Dr. Nema Said, Dr. Hosam El-Rahmany, and Dr. Ayah Ismail. The team also included students Bassam Adel, Fouad Sid, Mustafa Sobhi, Ragab Mohamed, Shams Mahmoud, Nourhan Mohamed, Mariam Tarek, and Menna Maawad.
The summit's activities included the final judging of participating projects based on criteria such as technical excellence, idea quality, and degree of innovation. Additionally, specialized discussion sessions and an exhibition of projects were organized. These events provided students and graduates with the opportunity to present their innovations and technological solutions to experts and specialists.
The 2026 University Innovation Summit was organized by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in partnership with the Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the International Company for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GIE Egypt). This collaboration highlights the commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial ventures in Egypt.
The achievement of the Faculty of Agriculture at Ain Shams University is a testament to the university's emphasis on supporting innovation, student projects, and encouraging the application of scientific research to develop practical solutions that address societal needs and labor market requirements. This initiative is under the auspices of Dr. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abidine, the university's president, Dr. Rami Maher Ghali, the vice president for education and student affairs, and Dr. Walaa Abdel Ghani, the dean of the Faculty of Agriculture.
This recognition underscores the importance of academic-industry partnerships and the role of institutions in promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty. By providing platforms for showcasing innovative projects, universities can play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and addressing pressing societal challenges.
Key points
- Ain Shams University's Faculty of Agriculture secured third place at the 2026 University Innovation Summit.
- The project utilized enzymatically decomposed whey in functional sherbet production.
- The summit was organized by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in partnership with Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and GIE Egypt.
