The promotion of scientific research has today become a persistent demand, as reiterated by the intelligentsia as well as by State officials. Putting aside financial matters, there seems to be a vicious circle that has to be broken at one point in order to reach such a goal.To begin with, faculties of science in Egypt have ceased to lure high school leavers despite the diverse courses available. In most cases today, these faculties receive students, who have been turned down by schools of medicine which, in comparison, have gained a reputation as prestigious educational institutes.The problem with graduates of science faculties is that they rarely find jobs, other than as schoolteachers, which again does not satisfy the ambitions of many. Thus, although the study of science interest some students, they refrain from joining a faculty that eventually offers little after five years of hard study.Whether starting by creating a new base of scientific job opportunities with tempting financial and moral returns or attracting students to the study of science at pre-university stage by new teaching and examining methodology, it does not matter. Decision-makers have to be fully aware of the multi-sided image of the problem; otherwise calls for upgraded scientific applications will wither in time.The disappointment of science students and graduates is actually one major aspect that is ironically hindering the enhancement of scientific research in a country that appears not to grasp the significance of producing and not merely consuming technology.
