Egypt's honour's list includes no less than three Nobel laureates in three different fields. And yet, many outstanding achievements by Egyptian leaders,  scientists and writers were achieved several centuries ago.

A link to the complete version of Dr A. Zewail's acceptance speech after he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1999 is available on his page (Sciences) but the following quotes from it hold hopes and promises for more to come.

"If the Nobel Prize had existed 6,000 years ago, when Egypt's civilization began, or even 2,000 years ago, when the famous library and university (museum) at Alexandria were established, Egypt would have scored very highly in many fields. 

In recent times, however, Egypt and the Arab World, which gave to Science Ibn-Sina (Avicenna), Ibn-Rushd (Averroës), Ibn-Hayan (Geber), Ibn-Haytham (Al Hazen), and others, have had no Prizes in science or medicine. 

I sincerely hope that this first one will inspire the young generations of developing countries with the knowledge that it is possible to contribute to world science and technology."

"The honour comes with great responsibilities and new challenges for the future, and I do hope to be able to continue the mission, recalling the thoughtful words of the great scholar, Dr. Taha Hussein:

which can be paraphrased in the following words: "The end will begin when seekers of knowledge become satisfied with their own achievements."

PS

Dr Taha Hussein never received a Nobel Prize, but you may read about his achievement by clicking here