Hany Helal is currently Professor of Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. He is an expert in Higher Education Reform, Science & Technology and Innovation policies. He has a long experience in international cooperation, management and cultural activities. He used to be the former Minister of Higher Education and State for Scientific Research, January 2006 - February 2011 and former President of Senghor University, March 2004 - June 2010. In July 2005, he was appointed the Secretary General of the Education Development Fund, Egypt until September 2009. He worked as the Egyptian Cultural and Scientific Counselor in France, Belgium, Luxemburg and Switzerland, and the Director for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Office in the Egyptian Embassy, Paris, France, from June 1998 to September 2002. He was the National TEMPUS Coordinator (EU Higher Education Enhancement program), October 2002 – December 2005. He acted as UNESCO Consultant / Interim Administrative Director, International Centre for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Sciences and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), Jordan, from October 2002 to December 2005. He was a Program Specialist and National Professional Officer, Earth Sciences, UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology for Arab States, September 1993 – June 1998.
Hany Helal was graduated from Mining engineering department, Faculty of Engineering Cairo University, in 1974. He got his ‘Diplôme de Docteur Ingénieur’, Earth Sciences (Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology) from ‘Ecole des Mines de Nancy, Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine’, Nancy, France, September 1979 – March 1982.
He is member of several committees and associations and has several publications in the fields of rock mechanics, engineering geology, cultural heritage preservation and restoration. He has developed strategic reform plans for Higher Education and Science and Technology in Egypt.
Hany Helal has received several awards, including the “Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany”, June 2008 and, the ”Grade d'Officier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques”, Ministère de l'Education National, de l'enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche, France, Novembre 2005.