Samy Sarabi

A pioneering Egyptian chemist and educator who revolutionized scientific education in the Middle East

Samy Sarabi (1905-1982) was a visionary Egyptian chemist and academic who made groundbreaking contributions to science education in the Arab world. Born in Cairo, he earned his PhD from the University of Paris in 1930, becoming one of the first Egyptians to specialize in organic chemistry. Returning home, he founded the Department of Chemistry at Cairo University in 1935, establishing rigorous academic standards that transformed Egyptian scientific training. His 1940 textbook Chemistry for Modern Egypt became a foundational text across the region. During the 1950s, he spearheaded the creation of the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research, which trained thousands of scientists contributing to agricultural advancements and industrialization. Sarabi's advocacy for women in STEM led to Cairo University's first female chemistry faculty member in 1963. His legacy lives on through the annual Sarabi Prize for young scientists. Recent studies (2022) by the American Chemical Society highlight his work's impact on Middle Eastern innovation.