The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), based in the Russian Federation, has awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Professor Mahmoud Sakr in recognition of his substantial contributions to advancing scientific collaboration between Egypt and the Institute.

The announcement was made by Professor Mamdouh Moawad, President of the National Research Centre (NRC), during the regular meeting of JINR’s Scientific Council. Dr. Sakr, Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the NRC, former President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), and Egypt’s former Scientific and Cultural Counsellor in Japan, was honored for his pivotal role in strengthening Egypt’s participation in the Institute’s activities and for securing Egypt’s status as a full member.

This milestone makes Egypt the first nation in Africa and the Middle East to attain full membership at JINR. Following this achievement, Professor Sakr became Egypt’s first inaugural Authorized Delegate on the Committee, which directs the Institute’s governance and policies.

JINR operates as an international governmental research institution and is globally acknowledged for its leadership in nuclear and particle physics. It is notable for integrating theoretical and experimental science with applied technology and higher education.

Over the past two decades, Professor Sakr has been a driving force in advancing Egypt’s research and innovation ecosystem. In addition to serving in senior leadership roles, he has launched numerous national programs aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. Some of his landmark contributions include supporting the launch of The Egypt Genome Project (for population and Ancient Egyptian genomes), the National Technology Incubator Program (Intilaq), the Entrepreneurship Clubs Program, the establishment of Technology Transfer Offices in all Egyptian universities, the Next Generation Scientists Initiative, the National Campaign to Boost Food Crop Productivity, the Child University program, the National Intellectual Property Academy, the Egyptian Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory , Centers of Excellence in Science, and the Road to Nobel Project.

Internationally, Professor Sakr established a regional office of the Arab Union of Scientific Research Councils in Cairo, strengthening Egypt’s involvement in the Union’s initiatives and broadening its role in governance.