Two Egyptian students learn to merge business and biotechnology in Basel, Switzerland
Ingy Deif , Thursday 5 Nov 2015
BioCamp 2015 sees two Egyptian students develop a business plan for a mock biotech drug in Basel, Switzerland local edition encourages more applications from students


Brimming with enthusiasm, Hossam Shahin took to the podium and using a powerpoint presentation shared the experience that he described as "a life-transforming journey that opened up chances amongst top university students worldwide."

Hossam, awinning student from the Faculty of Pharmacy of Tanta University,was reflecting on his participation, along withMennatallah Mamdouh from the German University in Cairo, in the annual Biotechnology Camp in Basel, Switzerland.

Both were hailed as "two bright faces from Egypt," representing the country among 70 top-notch students from leading universities in 24 countries.

The two students presented a narration of their experiences to the local edition of BioCamp, held at the end of October under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Universities in Egypt and sponsored by the private sector pharmaceutical company Novartis.

"The two young figures were selected from 100 students who applied nationwide. The selection was through an assessment programme under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Universities," said Dr Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, secretary of the Supreme Committee for the Development of University Hospitals.

"This field nowadays is the lynchpin of biological sciences and the springboard of future discoveries that will transform peoples' lives," said Dr Ayman, assistant professor of microbiology and immunity at Cairo University. "This local BioCamp meeting will allow many other students to be up to date with this rapidly evolving field and forge a successful future for Egypt's young scientists."

BioCamp is an annual event since 2003. It probes into the role and techniques of biotechnology, presenting students and participants with tools to explore challenges and find solutions in the field.

The camp reaches out every year to prominent students selected from various countries to help them grasp the latest trends and technologies in the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences.

It also helps them to gain firsthand insight on what it takes to start and run a biotech company.

Dr Reem El-Adl, at the local event, called for all students and graduates of pharmacy, medicine, business administration, information technology and the natural sciences to apply in the future to participate in the camp, which fosters innovation and creativity.

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