The American University in Cairo (AUC) and Minapharm Pharmaceuticals have agreed to create what AUC calls the first African academy for biotechnology. The partnership, beginning early this year, aims to strengthen education, research and innovation across Egypt, the Middle East and Africa and to bridge a long-standing divide between academic training and industry practice.
Under the agreement, the partners will exchange expertise through joint workshops, collaborative research projects, conferences and specialist lectures. Andreas Kakarougkas, director of AUC’s graduate biotechnology programme and assistant professor of cell and molecular biology, said the academy will emphasise hands-on skills in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control and assurance, regulatory compliance and translational research. In the initial phase training is limited to postgraduate biotechnology students, with possible expansion to engineering and business administration. Key issues such as organisational structure, funding and the implementation timeline are still under discussion.
Minapharm will co-develop course content, provide specialised training and host trainees at its industrial facilities, "providing students with exposure to industrial settings that cannot be replicated within a traditional university laboratory," Kakarougkas said. He added that many graduates have a strong theoretical background but limited practical experience with industrial-scale production, and the programme aims to make graduates "industry-ready from day one."
Experts also point to wider obstacles. Hala El-Hadidi, a professor of economics, noted weak links between universities and industry and recommended government action such as steering councils to guide partnership programmes. A survey of more than 200 companies in several Cairo industrial zones found that only six per cent reported links with academic institutions. Shaheer Bardissi, co-CEO of Minapharm, said the partnership will help advance the biotechnology industry in emerging markets and one early output will be a new entrepreneurship course for Master of Biotechnology and MBA students. If successful, the model could be offered to other African countries seeking closer alignment between higher education and fast-growing biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.
Difficult words
- biotechnology — use of biological processes for industrial or medical products
- academy — institution that teaches and studies advanced subjects
- partnership — agreement where two organisations work together
- translational research — work that moves lab findings into clinical or practical use
- regulatory compliance — following government rules and industry safety standards
- postgraduate — study or students after completing a first degree
- entrepreneurship — starting and running new businesses or ventures
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Discussion questions
- How could hands-on industrial training change graduates' job prospects in biotechnology?
- What benefits and possible risks might arise from hosting students in industrial facilities?
- If this model is offered to other African countries, what challenges should organisers consider?
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