Under the auspices of Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah, Acting Director of the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, and within the framework of the City's commitment to keeping research staff informed of the latest organizational developments and enhancing the scientific research system, the City organized an important specialized lecture entitled: "Presenting the procedures regulating the work of current scientific committees and the foundations of evaluation." The lecture was delivered by Professor Dr. Hala Mohamed Refaat, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the Permanent Scientific Committees for Research Centers, Institutes, and Bodies at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Also in attendance were Dr. Warda Othman and Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, members of the Technical Secretariat of the Permanent Scientific Committees for Research Centers, Institutes, and Bodies at the Ministry, deans of research institutes, and a large number of research staff and their assistants at the City. The lecture took place on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the City's headquarters in New Borg El Arab.

Professor Dr. Mohamed Rashad Abdel Fattah emphasized that the lecture is part of the city's strategy to support and develop its research staff, whom it considers the cornerstone of innovation. He highlighted the city's pivotal role in linking scientific research with practical application, noting that it doesn't merely provide laboratories and advanced equipment, but also fosters a knowledge-based environment that regularly informs researchers about research ethics, international publishing standards, and the administrative procedures governing academic work. He stressed that the city's goal is not simply administrative promotion, but rather to propel scientific research to become a true engine of economic and social development.

For her part, Professor Dr. Abeer Abdel Wahab, Dean of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, pointed out that a researcher's understanding of how to manage their file within promotion committees is half the battle. She explained that this lecture provides researchers with a clear overview of the file's documentation process, from the initial review through the reviewers' reports to the evaluation criteria and their relevance.

During her lecture, Professor Hala Refaat presented a comprehensive roadmap for the promotions and evaluation system. This included updates to the governing regulations: a thorough review of the current bylaws governing the work of the scientific committees for the promotion of professors and associate professors, and evaluation and excellence criteria: an explanation of the foundations and standards upon which scientific output is evaluated.

The lecture featured an open dialogue between the researchers and Professor Hala Refaat, during which all questions related to the requirements of the current stage were answered. Methods for addressing common issues when submitting scientific files were also clarified, contributing to accelerating the pace of academic promotion and ensuring transparency.