Under the patronage of Prof. Tamer Samir, President of Benha National University, the University organised a series of specialised scientific lectures for students of the Faculty of Energy Sciences, delivered by Prof. Chuan-Chou Shen, Professor in the Department of Geosciences at National Taiwan University and a leading international scholar in isotope geoscience. The initiative forms part of the University’s ongoing efforts to strengthen academic exchange, facilitate the sharing of research expertise, and introduce students to the latest scientific advances and research techniques at the international level.
Prof. Tamer Samir, President of Benha National University, stated that engagement with international scientists and experts is an important element of the University’s strategy to advance teaching and research, strengthen ties with academic institutions worldwide, and provide students with high-quality learning opportunities to explore the latest scientific developments. He added that the University is committed to organising specialised scientific events that connect academic learning with practical applications, develop students’ research skills, broaden their knowledge, and help prepare scientific professionals capable of keeping pace with rapid advances across different fields.
The programme featured two scientific lectures. The first addressed recent advances in uranium–thorium dating techniques and their applications in Quaternary studies. The second examined progress in dating speleothem formations, including stalagmites and stalactites, in Egypt’s Sanur and El-Gara caves. It also explained how these techniques contribute to the study of climatic and environmental records and the reconstruction of natural conditions in the region over time.
Prof. Mohamed Mostafa Afifi, Director of Programmes at the Faculty of Energy Sciences, said that Prof. Shen’s visit offered the Faculty’s students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with international research expertise and learn about the latest methodologies and techniques in isotope geoscience, geochronology, and the study of climatic and environmental change. He noted that the lectures also encouraged scientific discussion of the practical applications of these techniques, particularly in the study of Egyptian geological sites, helping to deepen students’ specialised knowledge and link theoretical concepts with contemporary research applications.
Prof. Chuan-Chou Shen holds a Distinguished Chair Professorship at National Taiwan University and directs the High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environmental Change Laboratory (HISPEC). The laboratory specialises in high-precision measurements and the study of environmental change over time. His research expertise spans geochemistry, geochronology, and the analysis of climatic and environmental records.
Geochronological techniques are of particular scientific importance because they help researchers understand climatic and environmental evolution over geological timescales, analyse natural records, and reconstruct past environmental conditions. The lectures also highlighted the relevance of these methods to research on Egyptian caves, including Sanur and El-Gara, supporting a deeper understanding of their geological and natural significance and creating further opportunities for research in Earth sciences and climate change.
The lectures prompted active participation from students of the Faculty of Energy Sciences, as well as members of the academic staff and teaching assistants, who took part in discussions and exchanged expertise on recent developments in geochronological techniques and their research applications. The event contributed to strengthening the University’s teaching and research environment and advancing its commitment to international scientific exchange and an educational experience informed by global scientific developments.