JICA launches new initiative to support 4 E-JUST Projects in response to COVID-19

CAIRO – 16 August 2020: As a new initiative in response to COVID-19, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) decided to support four new projects by Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) to serve the society encountering COVID-19.

JICA has been supporting E-JUST for more than 10 years, which was established in 2010 in New Borg El Arab City, Alexandria, based on the bilateral agreement between the Governments of Egypt and Japan, with the concept of a research-oriented university with international standards.

JICA has contributed with Japanese universities to the establishment and operation of the departments and schools, including implementing practical engineering education and lab education. In this context, the new initiative to support E-JUST in response to COVID-19 will lead to the enhancement of E-JUST’s advantage as a research-oriented university.

In a Sunday statement, JICA noted that those 4 projects are small scale but quick projects, selected as a result of call at E-JUST to invite innovative ideas, applications, and research actions against COVID-19. JICA funds the projects by providing necessary items such as small equipment, consumables, materials, and software and the total amount of these items will be up to 20,000 USD.

Projects for funding topics are as follows:

1-Role of Laboratory Safety Committee in Controlling COVID-19 at E-JUST

2-Lateral Flow Test for COVID-19 based on Nasopharyngeal Samples for Point of Care Applications

3-Using Computer Simulation Systems to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 Outbreaks

4-A type of low-cost Sterilizer based on quantum dots technology

JICA hoped that these projects by E-JUST will contribute to supporting the Egyptian scientific community initiatives in response to COVID-19 and addressing the society needs arising from the pandemic, with the knowledge of the Egyptian researchers and the support of the Japanese Government.