Egyptian Geographical Society

First written by Salmaak and 2 others, on Sat, 2008/06/21 - 3:27pm, and has been viewed by 315 unique users

I had never come across the “Egyptian Geographic Society” before yesterday. It was mentioned to me by passing by someone who discovered my newfound interest in Sinai and rightly recommended I look it up to further my knowledge. Back home, I googled this Organization. And it is with great pride and nostalgia to discover through their official website that this Egyptian Non-Governmental Organization established in the late 19th century where it started as and is still a pioneer in its field.
Why nostalgia? Reading about this organization, and learning that it was founded by the Khedive Ismail, I could not help but wish I lived in that period of time when Egypt was a power status to be respected, in everything that it portrayed or endeavored. How many of us Egyptians nowadays are aware of this Organization? It is not due to a lack of education or interest in the Sinai Peninsula.
Overcoming this nostalgia, and consoling myself with the fact that now I am fortunate to be informed about this Organization, the feeling of pride is the only remaining emotion. Because I can read that the organization “worldwide, [it] holds the ninth position amongst the geographical societies of the world and is only superseded by some of the geographical societies in both North America and Europe.” (EGS official website)

As stated on their website, their “Present-day functions aim at: enhancing public awareness of Geography as a development- oriented discipline, initiating comprehensive field work in the different regions of Egypt, developing academic and research ties with similar societies in different countries through the exchange of publications and joint research activities, organizing local and regional meetings and exhibition... etc.”
(EGS official website)

This article is not an introduction to the EGS, as I will never do better than their website so extensively quoted here. It is an attempt to raise awareness to the wealth our country holds, with Academic and Scientific Organizations.
References used: Egyptian Geographic Society website, http://www.server2002.net/egs1/objective.html

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Egyptian Geographical Society

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Al Ahram: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2000/506/chrncls.htm

"At 5.00pm on Wednesday, 1 April 1925, the General Geographic Conference was inaugurated. The opening was attended by His Majesty the King, the Egyptian cabinet and a large assembly of Egyptian ulama, or notables, men of science, literature and the press. All nations participated with the exception of the countries of Central Europe." With this announcement, Al-Ahram launched its coverage of this academic event in Cairo.

Such was the international profile of the conference that the opening ceremony was accorded full state pageantry. Al-Ahram reports, "At approximately 5.00pm the procession of His Majesty the King began to move towards the conference hall where the 450 participants, including foreign political figures, had taken their seats. At the front was a long table behind which sat the conference chairman. To his right was Prime Minister Ahmed Ziwar Pasha and the heads of the Italian and French delegations. To his left was former Prime Minister Adli Yakan Pasha, chairman of the preparatory committee, the American and Japanese delegates and Adolph Qatawi Bek, secretary-general of the Royal Geographic Society, who introduced the speakers." ...

"At 5.00pm on Wednesday, 1 April 1925, the General Geographic Conference was inaugurated. The opening was attended by His Majesty the King, the Egyptian cabinet and a large assembly of Egyptian ulama, or notables, men of science, literature and the press. All nations participated with the exception of the countries of Central Europe." With this announcement, Al-Ahram launched its coverage of this academic event in Cairo.

Such was the international profile of the conference that the opening ceremony was accorded full state pageantry. Al-Ahram reports, "At approximately 5.00pm the procession of His Majesty the King began to move towards the conference hall where the 450 participants, including foreign political figures, had taken their seats. At the front was a long table behind which sat the conference chairman. To his right was Prime Minister Ahmed Ziwar Pasha and the heads of the Italian and French delegations. To his left was former Prime Minister Adli Yakan Pasha, chairman of the preparatory committee, the American and Japanese delegates and Adolph Qatawi Bek, secretary-general of the Royal Geographic Society, who introduced the speakers."

Wed, 2008/12/03 - 11:40am Permalink