IOI Egypt, supported by host institute the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt, NIOF, organised a special event to commemorate the IOI’s 50 years since its founding by Elisabeth Mann Borgese in 1972 and to recognise the input and dedication of key local persons over the years.
More than 127 guests were invited including lecturers, IOI alumni and NIOF professors. The opening speech was made by the President of NIOF, Prof Amr Hamouda, who spoke about the IOI and its history with NIOF and the achievements of IOI Egypt over the years. Prof Mamdouh Fahmy, former IOI Egypt Director, spoke about the early work of the Centre and Prof Makram Gerges, founder of IOI Egypt, delivered another address which focussed on the longstanding relation and the Memorandum of Understanding between the IOI and NIOF. The National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt (NIOF) was established in 1928 and is a governmental, non-profit scientific institution, with its Headquarters at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Cairo.
A presentation about the activities held by the IOI Centre in Egypt was presented to the guests to showcase the work done over the years. Following this, Prof Amr Hamouda honoured the persons behind the success of the Centre by presenting Shields of Honour to each one. The ceremony was followed by lunch and a celebration on board the ship cruising the Nile, and the participants also enjoyed local entertainment including a Tanoura show (a traditional national dance in Egypt). A souvenir mug was presented to the guests containing the IOI Egypt logo on one side and the IOI@50 logo on the other to thank them for their support of the IOI in Egypt over the years and to serve as a reminder of a very pleasant anniversary celebration.