Councillor Biographies
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, Founder, SEKEM
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish studied chemistry and medicine at the University of Graz, Austria, receiving his Ph.D. in 1969. Thereafter he engaged in pharmaceutical research, and was Head of Division for pharmaceutical research until 1977. In 1975, on a visit to Egypt, he became aware of its pressing problems in education, overpopulation and pollution. In 1977 he decided to establish a comprehensive development initiative, SEKEM which aims to set out a blueprint for the healthy corporation of the 21st century. SEKEM has grown exponentially into a nationally renowned enterprise and market leader of organic products and phyto-pharmaceuticals which are now also exported to Europe and the USA. In 1990 he established the Heliopolis Academy for applied Arts, Science and Technology. The Heliopolis Academy is committed to constant innovation with research in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, engineering, social sciences and the arts to maintain the vitality of the community, on a local, regional, national and international level. Honours received include the "Right Livelihood" Award (2003).
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