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On Monday, December 23, 2024, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abbas Shamis, Director of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Chairman of the Board, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Supreme Council for Clinical Medical Research Ethics. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Sherif Wadie, Chairman of the Council, and included prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. Tamer El-Hefnawy, Secretary-General of the Council; Lt. Gen. Dr. Tarek El-Nagdy, President of the Military Medical Academy; Prof. Dr. Wafaa Abdel Aal, Professor of Pathology at the National Research Center; Dr. Asmaa Fouad, Head of the Central Administration for Biological and Innovative Products at the Egyptian Drug Authority; and Prof. Dr. Ayman El-Khatib, Vice President of the Egyptian Drug Authority.

The workshop brought together an esteemed group of experts and prominent scientists, including Prof. Dr. Osama Azmy, Chair of the Ethics of Scientific Research Committee at the National Research Center; Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Afifi, Chair of the Ethics of Scientific Research Committee at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology; and Prof. Dr. Wagida Anwar, Professor at Ain Shams University. Additionally, the event was attended by heads of ethics committees from public, private, and national universities, along with representatives from civil society organizations and hospitals such as Baheya Foundation and Al-Nas Hospital.

This workshop marked the first event of its kind since the council's establishment in March 2024, showcasing the institute's pioneering role in promoting a robust framework for research ethics in Egypt.

Prof. Dr. Azza Saleh, Professor of Clinical and Chemical Pathology at the institute and a member of the Supreme Council for Clinical Medical Research Ethics, delivered a comprehensive presentation. Her talk focused on the council’s role in upholding ethical standards in medical research, mechanisms for protecting the rights of patients and participants in clinical studies, and regulatory procedures to ensure research integrity and quality. She also highlighted the importance of creating a national database that includes the National Research Registry Portal.

The workshop featured dynamic engagement from the attendees, who raised diverse questions about the council’s operations and the implementation of ethical standards. Prof. Dr. Sherif Wadie addressed these inquiries with precision and transparency, explaining the processes for reviewing research and ensuring compliance with the highest standards of scientific integrity.

The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Sanaa Thabet, Professor of Pharmacology and Chair of the Ethics of Scientific Research Committee at the institute. At the conclusion of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abbas Shamis expressed his pride in hosting this significant event. He extended his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Azza Saleh for her remarkable contributions to advancing policies and ethics in clinical medical research and presented her with a certificate of appreciation.

Dr. Shamis reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to fostering a healthy and effective research environment that adheres to the highest ethical standards. He emphasized that this workshop represents a major milestone in the institute’s efforts to support the scientific research ecosystem in Egypt.

It is worth noting that Theodor Bilharz Research Institute is the first scientific and research institution to host an event of this magnitude since the enactment of the Supreme Council for Clinical Medical Research Ethics law and its executive regulations. This underscores the institute’s unwavering dedication to advancing research practices in alignment with the highest international standards.