Ain Shams University

The role of the University has not been confined to the academic field, but it also contributed to social development by mobilizing research in the service of society and environment. Ain Shams University is located in the heart of Cairo, one of the most culturally and socially distinguished areas of Egypt.

The University enjoys an academic reputation, that it has become a national responsibility to cope with the increasing number of students that join it each year. The number of undergraduate students has reached more than 100,000 with about 30,000 graduate students. The teaching staff has reached 3,700 members, assisted by 2,500 demonstrators and assistant lecturers. Such figures show the responsibility undertaken by Ain Shams University to fulfill its message. This has been accomplished so successfully that the University enjoys an excellent reputation, both locally and world-wide.

History:

Ain Shams University, as the third Egyptian University, was founded in July 1950 under the name of "Ibrahim Pasha University". It participated with the two earlier universities, "Cairo University" (Fua'd the 1st ) and "Alexandria University" (Farouk the 1st) in fulfilling the message of universities and meeting the increasing demand of youth for higher education. When it was first established, Ain Shams University comprised a number of distinguished faculties and academic institutes, which were later developed into university.

After the Revolution of the 23 rd of July 1952, it was suggested that Egyptian universities be given names that were strongly linked with the roots and historical landmarks of the country. Thus on 21 st of February, 1954 the name of the University was changed to "Heliopolis", and then changed in the same year to its present name "Ain Shams", the Arabic for "Heliopolis", or "O'n", which was the oldest university in history. "O'n" University was established about 5000 years ago, and it had a wide fame as a center of knowledge and learning, especially in astronomy, engineering and medicine. Perhaps a perfect example of the knowledge and skill of "O'n" teachers is Imhotep, the chief priest, minister, and architect, who in 2700 B.C. designed the first large structure of stone known in history, Zoser's Step Pyramid in Sakkara. Westcar Papyrus also states that the founder of the Fifth Dynasty was the Rector of "O'n" University before ascending the throne. However, the most important achievement of "O'n" University was the call for worshipping a single deity, the solar disk of Aton, at the hands of Akhenaton, who was influenced by the ideas of "O'n" priests.
The emblem of the University, the obelisk and two hawks, establishes a link between the name and the ancient history of the University. The obelisk stands for the house of life at the city of "O'n", whereas the two hawks are symbolic of Horus, the Egyptian god at that time.
The University is now located in the area of the Zaafaran Palace, built during the regime of Khedive Ismail. The Palace was so named because the area surrounding it was famous for saffron (in Arabic Zaafaran) plantations. The Palace was used to host the administration offices of the Egyptian University when it was established in 1925. It was used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as a guest house) for accommodating important visitors. The Palace also witnessed the signing of the 1936 Treaty between Egypt and Great Britain. Finally in 1952, it came to be used as the administrative headquarters of Ain Shams University.
Being a major scientific and cultural institution, Ain Shams University is fully aware of these challenges and is certain that it has - with other Egyptian Universities - a difficult hard responsibility for the creation of the generation. That is aware and proud of its identity and traditions and is also ready for the creation of a better future for their country. In fact, Ain Shams University has played an undeniable role in developing the cultural and scientific life in Egypt and enriching human knowledge in general.

Faculties:

The university includes 14 faculties and 3 high institutes. In 1950, there were only eight faculties:faculty of Arts,faculty of law,faculty of Commerce,faculty of Science,faculty of Engineering,faculty of Medicine,faculty of Agriculture, andWomen's college. In 1969, thefaculty of Education, known since 1880 as Teachers' college, became the ninth faculty in the University. In 1973 thefaculty of Al-Alsun was made the tenth member in the University. However, the history of this faculty dates back to 1835.

In 1994, a decree was issued for the establishment of two more faculties; the faculty of Pharmacy and the faculty of Dentistry, the actual study was started the following year in both faculties. In the same year, it was decided to establish the faculty of Computers
and Information Sciences, and the study started the following year. The last faculty to join the University is the faculty of Specific Education, in 1998.Faculty of Nursing was established in 1980, and the Institute of Childhood Postgraduates Studies was established in 1980 .The establishment of the Institute ofEnvironment Research and Studies was at 1982.

1.       Faculty of Arts

2.       Faculty of Law

3.       Faculty of Commerce

4.       Faculty of Science

5.       Faculty of Engineering

6.       Faculty of Medicine

7.       Faculty of Agriculture

8.       Faculty of Education

9.       Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education

10.   Faculty Languages (Al-Alsun)

11.   Faculty of Dentistry

12.   Faculty of Pharmacy

13.   Faculty of Computer  and Information Sciences

14.   Faculty of Specific Education

15.   Faculty of Nursing

16.   Higher Institute of Postgraduate Childhood Studies

The Central Library

The Central Library includes about 100,000 books and references about different scientific subjects and it is being constantly updated. The Library is active in the field of cultural exchange with Arab and foreign universities and similar scientific organizations, which amount to more than 120 organizations. Thus the printed matter of the University reaches a large number of universities and scientific organizations, in the Arab World,Africa,Asia,Europe,North America andSouth America.

Libraries of Faculties, Institutes and Centers

In addition to the Central Library, the University has other libraries belonging to its faculties, institutes and specialized centers, which propel the teaching process and the scientific research at the University.