GESR e.V. initiatives for research, women, and future careers

EWAN & MASAR NextGen

Two connected initiatives empowering Egyptian academic women and PhD talent through community, mentorship, career navigation, and academia-industry bridges.

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EWAN logo

EWAN

Egyptian Women's Academic Network in Germany

MASAR NextGen Researchers logo

MASAR NextGen

The PhD path from research to impact

Meetings, mentorship circles, partner programs, and resource sharing.

About GESR

German Egyptian Social & Scientific Relationships e.V.

GESR Association is a non-profit organization registered with the German governmental authorities under the name GESR (German Egyptian Social and Scientific Relationships e.V.). The association serves as a bridge connecting Egypt and Germany on scientific, social, and cultural levels.

Established in October 2020 under the presidency of Dr. Khaled El-Sayad, with Prof. Ahmed Abdel Salam as Vice President and Ms. Iman El-Sherif as Treasurer, GESR began with Egyptian scientists, physicians, and engineers working in Germany who aimed to transfer their expertise to Egypt and build scientific and cultural relations between scholars in both countries.

Open gesr-ev.de

Signed a cooperation protocol with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate and organized lecture series during 2021 and 2022.

Signed a cooperation protocol with Al-Azhar University through the association’s medical committee.

Held cultural meetings covering history, interpretation of religious texts, medicine, and other public topics.

Established a scientific magazine where researchers present their studies to the public in simplified language.

Two paths, one ecosystem

A platform for belonging, mobility, and research-led impact.

EWAN logoInitiative

EWAN

Egyptian Women's Academic Network in Germany

A GESR e.V. initiative supporting Egyptian academic and research women in Germany and Egypt through an empowering alliance for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and mutual support.

EWAN was founded by Dr. Nourhan Hassan as a platform for Egyptian women academics connected to Germany and Egypt.

EWAN brings together Egyptian female researchers across fields and academic stages in Germany, creating a space for meetings, discussion, and assistance when needed.

Its objectives include collaboration, exchanging best practices, addressing academic challenges, identifying strengths and opportunities, and building mentoring links with researchers in Egypt.

  • Networking across universities and disciplines
  • Knowledge sharing and idea exchange
  • Collective problem solving and work-life balance support
Join EWAN
MASAR NextGen Researchers logoInitiative

MASAR NextGen

The PhD path from research to impact

A comprehensive support ecosystem for Egyptian PhD candidates and graduates, helping them move from advanced academic training into impactful careers in industry, government, entrepreneurship, and non-profit sectors.

MASAR NextGen was founded by Dr. Nourhan Hassan and Dr. Hazem Badawy to support Egyptian PhD talent in translating research expertise into global opportunities.

MASAR responds to a critical gap: many PhD holders have advanced research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, but lack clear pathways and language to translate those strengths into non-academic careers.

The initiative supports current PhD candidates, recent graduates, Egyptian PhDs abroad, all disciplines, and women PhDs through mentorship, practical training, employer connections, and visible role models.

  • Personalized career coaching
  • Industry-ready skill enhancement
  • Academia-industry bridges and resource hub
Join MASAR community

EWAN focus

Dr. Nourhan Hassan, founder of EWAN

Founder of EWAN

Dr. Nourhan Hassan

An empowering alliance for Egyptian academic women.

EWAN supports GESR e.V.’s mission to strengthen social and scientific relations between Egypt and Germany. It creates communication channels, promotes experience exchange, and helps members address academic challenges together.

Collaboration
Knowledge sharing
Idea exchange
Work-life balance

MASAR services

Dr. Nourhan Hassan, founder of MASAR NextGen

MASAR founder

Dr. Nourhan Hassan

Dr. Hazem Badawy, founder of MASAR NextGen

MASAR founder

Dr. Hazem Badawy

A practical pathway from doctoral expertise to career impact.

Self-assessment workshops and one-on-one coaching
Industry CVs, cover letters, interviews, networking, and business communication
Curated job boards, company profiles, career fairs, internships, and job shadowing
Guides, templates, success stories, market insights, and funding opportunities
Launching of EWAN with a speaker presenting at a GESR event

Launching of EWAN

The first gathering that turned a network idea into a shared academic space.

EWAN began with members presenting their academic and professional journeys under the GESR e.V. umbrella, opening a space for Egyptian women researchers to connect, exchange experience, and support one another across Germany and Egypt.

  • Introductory member presentations and academic journey sharing
  • Exchange of research experiences, social challenges, and opportunities
  • A first platform for communication between Egyptian women academics in Germany

Previous activities

Events, workshops, and sponsorships connecting Egyptian research talent.

EWAN20/09/2023 – 21/09/2023

57357 Youth Researchers Forum

Empowering Egyptian Researchers Across Borders (ERAB)

Children Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357; Cairo, Egypt

  • EWAN participated in a forum dedicated to empowering Egyptian researchers across borders.
  • The activity supported scientific exchange and international visibility for Egyptian research talent.
57357 Youth Researchers Forum ERAB event flyer featuring Dr. Nourhan HassanSpeaker addressing attendees at the 57357 Youth Researchers ForumAuditorium session during the 57357 Youth Researchers ForumCertificate presentation during the 57357 Youth Researchers ForumGESR certificate of appreciation from the 57357 Youth Researchers Forum
MASAR NextGen27/12/2025

Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt

A MASAR event connecting research experience, mobility, and academic pathways.

National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt

  • The event highlighted research journeys between Germany and Egypt and created space for students and researchers to learn from international academic experience.
Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt featured speakers posterResearch Journeys from Germany to Egypt event speakers at the National Cancer Institute in CairoSpeaker presenting precision genome editing and epigenetics research at the eventAudience attending the Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt eventLecture hall view during the Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt eventGESR presentation during the Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt eventSpeaker presenting beside institutional and Egyptian flags at the National Cancer InstituteSpeaker presenting primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma researchSpeaker presenting a research journey from Zagazig to BerlinSpeaker presenting about women in STEM during the Research Journeys eventSpeaker presenting oxygenic photosynthesis researchCertificate presentation at the Research Journeys from Germany to Egypt event
MASAR NextGen09/04/2026

From Lab to Global Opportunities

How to Prepare for Scholarships and Research Abroad — SCI2026 Conference Workshop

Ibn Sina Hall — Botany Dept. — Faculty of Science, Cairo University

  • A free three-hour workshop for undergraduates, Master's and PhD students, and early-career researchers, presented by Dr. Nourhan Hassan and Dr. Hazem Badawy from the GESR board.
  • The workshop covered global research opportunities, academic CV writing, motivation letters, supervisor selection, networking, and building a research profile.
  • Held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
From Lab to Global Opportunities workshop poster with session agenda and speakersFrom Lab to Global Opportunities workshop session on choosing the right supervisorParticipants gathered after the From Lab to Global Opportunities workshop at Cairo UniversityDr. Hazem Badawy presenting during the From Lab to Global Opportunities workshopDr. Nourhan Hassan speaking during the scholarship and research abroad workshopStudents attending the From Lab to Global Opportunities workshopWorkshop speakers Dr. Nourhan Hassan and Dr. Hazem Badawy at Ibn Sina HallDr. Nourhan Hassan presenting workshop guidance on research abroad opportunitiesWorkshop speakers discussing scholarship preparation with studentsDr. Nourhan Hassan addressing participants during the workshopDr. Hazem Badawy explaining research abroad preparation during the workshop
MASAR NextGenSCI2026 Conference

Awards sponsorship for pioneer students

MASAR-GESR Mentorship Program + GESR Summer Conference Invitations

Cairo University, Egypt

  • GESR will select outstanding students from SCI2026 projects to join the GESR Mentorship Program and receive international research guidance.
  • Selected students will also be invited to the next GESR Summer Conference, supporting international networking and global academic exposure.
GESR SCI2026 award sponsor poster for the mentorship program and summer conference invitationsAwarded pioneer students and mentors gathered on stage during the SCI2026 ConferenceGESR team and pioneer students receiving certificates at the SCI2026 ConferenceAudience attending the SCI2026 Conference awards and research sessionsPioneer students presenting research posters during the SCI2026 ConferenceStudents standing beside research posters during the SCI2026 ConferencePioneer students celebrating with certificates after the SCI2026 awards sponsorship
MASAR NextGenApril 2026

MASAR Global Series: From Egypt to Global Research

A four-session pathway from student researcher to successful global applicant.

Online series in collaboration with Researchly

  • Delivered in collaboration with Researchly across four sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, with a short practical activity between sessions.
  • Session 1 introduced global opportunities including MA, PhD, internships, DAAD, Erasmus, and how to choose the right opportunity.
  • Session 2 focused on building a strong academic CV, the difference between CV and resume, correct structure, common mistakes, and examples.
  • Session 3 covered motivation letters through structure, storytelling, linking experience with the opportunity, and real examples.
  • Session 4 explained how to apply and stand out through emailing professors, interviews, networking, and avoiding common mistakes.
  • Activities included finding two suitable opportunities, uploading a CV draft, writing a motivation letter draft, and preparing a final application package, followed by certificates and optional mentorship.
  • Bonus support included live review for the best five CVs and feedback on selected motivation letters.
MASAR Global Series from Egypt to global research overview with Dr. Nourhan Hassan and Dr. Hazem BadawyMASAR Global Series Building a Strong Academic CV session poster with Dr. Hazem Badawy

Impact pillars

What the initiatives deliver

EWAN strengthens the academic network; MASAR NextGen opens professional pathways. Together they help researchers convert knowledge, resilience, and ambition into visible progress.

Networking & collaboration

Unite Egyptian women researchers and PhD talent across disciplines, countries, and academic stages.

Mentorship & peer support

Build structured mentoring, informal meetups, peer learning, and safe spaces for shared challenges.

Career translation

Help PhDs convert research strengths into industry resumes, interviews, portfolios, and opportunity language.

Knowledge economy impact

Connect highly skilled talent with innovation, R&D, entrepreneurship, and national development goals.

Program journey

From first meeting to long-term opportunity.

The first version of this site presents the initiatives clearly for members, partners, universities, and supporters who want to understand the mission and join the next step.

1

EWAN launched through introductory meetings where members presented their academic and professional journeys, creating an inspiring exchange of research and social experiences.

2

Follow-up EWAN meetings focus on applying for academic opportunities, discussing challenges, and reinforcing persistence as part of academic growth.

3

MASAR develops six service pillars: career navigation, skill enhancement, mentorship, academia-industry bridges, resource sharing, and women’s career empowerment.

4

Long-term growth expands from early pilots and partnerships toward national reach, specialized programs, and stronger links between Egypt’s PhD talent and employers.

Join the next chapter with us.

Join EWAN through the member form, connect with the MASAR-GESR community on WhatsApp, or contact us for partnerships and sponsorships.

Join EWAN Join MASAR