We are pleased to announce that the Faculty of Biotechnology proudly takes the lead in the Food and Agriculture- FA Model 2025 Season at MSA University, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT). This impactful initiative is under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Ayman Diab, Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology, Prof. Gehan Safwat, Vice Dean, Dr. Karima Nasr El Din, Academic Supervisor and Focal Point for FA Model MSA, and Roaa Hazem, as Student President of FA Model MSA 2025.

As a cornerstone of this season, the Rise Up Program 2025, launched on Thursday, November 7, with 73 students from MSA University’s faculties of Biotechnology, Physical therapy, Pharmacy, Computer Science, and Management Sciences, along with participants from other universities. This season also features exclusive workshops, dynamic events, and five key committees:

1. Human Resources

2. ⁠Public Relations

3. ⁠Marketing

4. ⁠Academic

5. ⁠Logistics

These committees are designed to cultivate academic and professional skills among participants.

Upon completion, students will receive certificates of recognition from both FAO and ASRT, acknowledging their significant contributions and development.

This Master’s degree will help you to work in the world of Biotechnology with its different areas especially pharmaceutical biotechnology, medical, agricultural, environmental, and molecular criminology. The program aims to prepare bright scientists for a challenging career in the previously mentioned areas of biotechnology.

The Faculty of Biotechnology (accredited by NAQAE) offers state-of-the-art courses covering a wide spectrum of biotechnological sciences applications in health, agriculture, industry, pharmaceuticals and environment, in fulfillment of the rules and regulations of the Supreme Council for Egyptian Universities as well as of our British partner.

MSA’s MSc in Biotechnology is a purely research-oriented program that opens a plethora of career opportunities in different fields.

• The program is perfect for those who look to work as researchers, scientists or professors and teachers at universities and colleges.

• The program supports job opportunities for many jobs such as Biotechnologist, Quality Control Analyst, Senior Research Scientist, Biomedical Engineer, Crime Lab Scientist, Research Associate, Validation Scientist, etc.

• Major fields where biotechnology students work as professionals are Agricultural, Medicine and health care, Industries trial research, Environment Research and development, and animal husbandry, etc

• Students get to learn about genetic engineering, molecular biology, bioinformatics etc.

• Most biotechnology graduates are able to work in the research field developing and creating new products and processes to better organizations and human life.

• Candidates having a Master’s degree in BioSciences can get a job in corporate and government sectors. Qualified Bio-technologists mostly get into jobs with different drug( pharmaceutical) companies, chemical, bioprocessing industries, agriculture-related industries, and pollution control industries in Egypt and abroad as well.

Biotechnology is the vocational discipline of molecular biology, and the programme focuses on the application of biotechnological sciences in five main fields:

Medical Biotechnology.

This includes the advanced applications of biotechnology in medical fields including;

• Gene Therapy (including Genetic Disorders, Gene Target Selection, Gene Delivery Methods, Viral vectors)

• Stem Cells (including Therapeutic Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cells)

• Production of vaccines

• Monoclonal Antibodies.

• Drug discovery and development.

Agricultural Biotechnology.

This includes the applications of biotechnology in the agricultural field, including;

• Producing transgenic plants resistant to indigenous biotic and abiotic stress.

• Reducing the use of agrochemicals and pesticides, and their environmental risks.

• Tissue culture for producing plant-free virus and for plant propagation.

Environmental Biotechnology:

This focuses on the applications of biotechnology in solving environmental problems including;

• Waste water purification, potable water production, solid waste treatment and soil and sediment clean-up.

• New developments; biopesticides, bioremediation of recalcitrant pollutants and biosensors for environmental monitoring.

Pharmaceutical biotechnology:

The application of biotechnology for pharmaceutical biotechnology majorly includes

• Manufacturing drugs, gene therapy as well as gene testing. This is done by manipulating and modifying organisms, usually at the molecular level,

• Bioformulations, such as antibodies, nucleic acid products and vaccines.

• Designing stable and effective therapeutic proteins requires knowledge of protein structure and the interactions that stabilise the structure necessary for function.

The future of pharmaceuticals belongs to protein-based therapeutics.

Molecular Criminology:

The application of biotechnology for Molecular Criminology majorly includes

• Forensic Research Identification Methods,

• Identify potential speculates whose DNA might coordinate with proof left at crime location

• Establish paternity and other family relationships

• Detect microorganisms and different creatures that might contaminate air, water, soil, and food.

• A bachelor’s degree in any of the natural sciences, science, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, or veterinary.

• General grade GPA 2.8, a grade ‘Good’ or equivalent.

• Proof of skills in English: The following minimum scores are required:

•  IELTS: an overall mark of 5.5 OR
•  TOEFL: 500.

• A one-to-one interview will be held with the short-listed candidates for the final decision.

• Selection criteria: Selection will be based on previous academic studies and degrees, statement of intent, recommendation letter(s), work experience (if any) in research or research-related areas and degree project (if any).

• Applicants from outside the Faculty should bring approval from employers (if applicable) before they are accepted.

• Male applicants should bring a document clarifying their military service status.

MSc in Biotechnological Sciences degree is awarded upon successful completion of the Biotechnology program comprising 36 credit hours

• The student completes 12 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of specialty courses, normally completed in a minimum of one year.

• The student should conduct a research on a topic specified by the main supervisor and successfully pass the thesis defence (12 credit hours), in a minimum of one year.

A schematic diagram of the expected phases is shown below.

The minimum for awarding an MSc. degree is two years from the date of approval by the Faculty Council of enrolment.

The maximum limit for granting an MSc. degree is five years from the date of registration.

The registration may be extended to a maximum of two years at the request of the main supervisor and the approval of the relevant authorities.