The Department of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Egyptian Russian University in Cairo organized the exhibition “ Medicinal Plants Extravaganza “, with the support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal Mostafa, Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees for the seventh year, with the participation of more than (230) students from the first year in the college. This exhibition was attended by a group of faculty members from Cairo University, Helwan University, Ain Shams, and the British University, who witnessed the opening of the exhibition and hold discussions with the students about the scientific materials presented in the exhibition. The exhibition comes within the framework of encouraging the university administration and providing it with all possible means; To develop student’s abilities and skills through scientific and practical projects.
Prof. Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abd Elnabi, president of the Egyptian Russian University in Cairo, announced during his opening speech that the exhibition comes within the university’s policies; To refine the student’s skills and link the practical side to the study ….. Noting that these projects develop student’s presentation skills, encourage them to engage in teamwork , and develop in them the spirit of one team in order to prepare a graduate suitable for local and international labor market. Moreover, student exhibitions and practical student projects inside the university campus contribute to linking what students have learned in some academic courses with what exists in the labor market. Dr. Sherif Fakhry also praised the wonderful organization of the exhibition and the high level of the students, and lauded their efforts and excellence.
In the same context, prof. Dr. Mohamed Ihab Fattouh, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Egyptian Russian University affirmed that the aim of the exhibition is to achieve cooperation between students and exchange information in the field of “ medical plants “, knowing their benefits, and indicating the importance of the different types of these plants as well as their multiple and beneficial uses in daily life. He also expressed his thanks to the faculty members of the Faculty of Pharmacy who organized the exhibition; because of their keenness to continue holding this important exhibition for students every year.
For her part, Prof. Dr. Omima Elgendi, Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Egyptian Russian University, explained that “ medical plants “ are widely available in most Arab countries, which makes the countries of the region qualified for a promising future in the field of producing these plants, which is the future of the medicine industry in developed countries …… Noting that the “ Department of Pharmacognosy “ follows up on all that is new in the field of medicinal plants, and the latest findings of scientific research to inform the college students about it; So that we can qualify a graduate who is able to keep pace with the local labor market and the requirements and needs of the international labor market.
In a related context, Dr. Dina Elnagar, a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Egyptian Russian University and the supervisor of the organization of the exhibition explained that some of the objectives of the exhibition “ Medicinal Plants Extravaganza “ are:
1- Practical application of non- traditional educational methods.
2- Motivating students to use different search means.
3- Follow up on the latest developments in scientific research.
4- Encouraging students to work together and develop team spirit.
5- Creating the opportunity for creative ideas among students.
Dr. Dina added that the exhibition is divided into student working groups, and each group selects a medicinal plant, follows it up and searches for the latest research information about it. Then the group designs and prints a booklet, flyer and a poster about the plant to be displayed inside the exhibition… Noting that “Dr. Azza Abbas, Dr. Iman Altaher, Dr. Mostafa Bashir” from the faculty members participated in the organization of the exhibition.
It is worth noting that the exhibition is also co-organized by a group of distinguished students from different academic teams in the college namely: “ Kerolos Nabil, Yasser Hussein, Mohamed Alaa, Yousef Saad, Hisham Elsayed, Mohamed Wael, Yousef Mahmoud, Fadi Nemer, Mark Assad, Bavly Sameh, and khaled Ahmed.”