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. On a visit to Egypt in 1975 he became aware of its pressing problems in education, overpopulation and pollution. In 1977 he decided to establish a comprehensive development initiative called 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. He received the Right Livelihood Award in 2003. In November 2008 Dr. Abouleish was honoured with the German Federal Cross of Merit. In addition he received a Special Award for his pioneering work in biodynamic agriculture, carbon footprint certification and ecologically responsible development by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. In 2009 SEKEM received the official approval of the “Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development” by the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The university will open its doors in 2011.
