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.
 The university includes 15 faculties
and 2 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,
and Women's college. In 1969, the faculty
of Education, known since 1880 as Teachers'
college, became the ninth faculty in the
university. In 1973 the faculty 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 1981. The establishment of the Institute
of Environmental Research and Studies
was at 1982.
 Ain Shams University comprises seven
campuses, all of which are sited in Great
Cairo. The university administration,
faculties of Arts, Law and Science are
all located in the main campus, El-khalifa
El Mamoon Street, Abassia. The faculties
of Commerce, Al-Alsun (languages), Pharmacy,
Dentistry, Computer and Information Sciences,
Institute of Postgraduate Childhood and
Institute of Environmental Studies and
Research, together with the specialized
Hospital are located on the second campus
on the other side of the aforementioned
street. Faculty of Medicine and Faculty
of Nursing together with the university
hospitals are located in another campus
at Abassia. Faculties of Engineering,
Specific Education, Education, Women and
Agriculture are located each on a separate
campus in Abassia, Heliopolis and Shoubra
El-Kheima, respectively.
|
