The Petroleum Research Institute held its Board of Directors meeting, chaired by Engineer Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Institute's Board, and Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Also in attendance were Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, Dr. Mahmoud Ramzy, Director of the Institute, members of the Board of Directors, senior officials from both ministries, and heads of petroleum sector authorities and holding companies.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Ayman Ashour emphasized that the Institute represents a distinguished model for linking scientific research with industry, praising its research capabilities and the expertise of its specialists in this vital sector.
The Minister highlighted the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, one of whose key principles is achieving integration between scientific research and industry. He emphasized the importance of continuous efforts to guide the scientific research plan in research centers, institutes, and bodies to meet the needs of the industrial sector and provide for the various development requirements across all sectors, within the framework of the state's sustainable development plan and Egypt's Vision 2030.
Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of encouraging innovation, particularly in scientific fields, and supporting distinguished researchers to achieve applicable research outputs. He also emphasized the need for cooperation with companies and industrial entities to transform these outputs into practical products. He noted that the Ministry is working on issuing the first research map for Egypt by linking the research plan within each region to its specific development needs. He pointed out that the first phase of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development" saw the submission of 104 alliances from various sectors.
For his part, Engineer Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Research Institute, affirmed that investment in scientific research is a cornerstone for the success of any industrial system.
The Minister of Petroleum proposed holding a coordination meeting in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This meeting would bring together the heads of petroleum sector holding companies and the institute's research team to develop a clear roadmap for research cooperation priorities and maximize the institute's research role. Company heads would present their needs and research priorities for serving the industry, whether through the institute or in collaboration with international research centers and companies with which the sector collaborates within an integrated research framework. This would be followed by quarterly meetings to ensure continued cooperation. Dr. Ayman Ashour welcomed the proposal, affirming the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's readiness to provide all necessary support for research collaboration between the two sides, contributing to the achievement of the state's sustainable development goals.
The Minister of Petroleum also highlighted the ministry's strategy, which comprises six pillars representing a roadmap for defining cooperation priorities and maximizing the institute's role. He commended the institute for its applied services in the fields of analysis, testing, and chemistry, in addition to its research contributions.
Engineer Karim Badawi also called for expanding the institute's scope of work to include research in exploration, oil and gas reservoir management, and mining, and for linking its efforts with universities and specialized research centers both within Egypt and abroad, in cooperation with the petroleum sector.
The meeting included a review of the Petroleum Research Institute's efforts since its establishment in 1974. The institute works to connect scientific research with industry and address the challenges facing economic growth. It comprises seven departments, eight service centers, and three specialized units. The institute focuses on developing chemicals and producing locally manufactured alternatives to imported ones. It also owns three chemical production reactors with a daily production capacity of 35 tons.
In addition, the institute plays a pivotal role in providing scientific and technical consultations to petroleum companies and addressing the laboratory challenges of central laboratories within the petroleum sector. Furthermore, it contributes to the completion of major national projects. The institute also employs top-level experts in quality control and provides analytical services in the fertilizer, chemical, road and tunnel, wastewater recycling, and other sectors.
Regarding the Institute's role in scientific research, it publishes a scientific journal and released 456 research papers in 2024. It also boasts 18 scientists on the list of the most cited scientists globally and ranked third in the SCImago Institutions Rankings for research centers, institutes, and organizations in the Middle East and North Africa region for 2024.
The Council also reviewed the Institute's budget for the fiscal years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025.
Furthermore, the Council decided to reconstitute the Disciplinary Board for research staff and to follow up on administrative decisions related to appointments and promotions.
