ACS Alexandria University

07/10/2026

BREAKING NEWS
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2026 in Chemistry to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”

Some molecules, such as amino acids, exist as two variants that are each other’s mirror image. However, living organisms only contain one of these mirror images. How chemical asymmetry such as this could have emerged was long a mystery to chemists. Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 for discovering a solution to this puzzle.

Life’s chemistry is what chemists call homochiral, after the Greek words for “same” and “hand”. Like hands, all amino acids exist as two mirrored variants, but only one of them is found in the proteins in your cells. The other is rarely found in nature.

For a long time, chemists wondered how homochirality can emerge. When they began to experiment with chemical reactions that can form two mirrored molecules, they always obtained equal proportions of both in their test tubes. However, chemists strived to produce only one of these mirror images, because in the development of molecules that will interact with living beings – such as in pharmaceuticals – only one mirror image will have the desired effect.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 recognises discoveries that have enabled chemists to drive chemical reactions that lead to homochirality.

Henri Kagan took the first decisive step in 1986, when he discovered a new way of manipulating chemical reactions. This allowed him to create a greater excess of one of the mirror images than had previously been thought possible.

Kenso Soai took the next step. In 1995, a key publication describes how he designed the first ever chemical reaction that had the potential to be homochiral. In 2003, he finally succeeded. He presented a reaction in which only one of the two possible mirror images was formed. Other than life itself, no one had previously achieved this feat.

Thanks to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai, we now know how homochirality can emerge. Their discoveries have been decisive for chemists who design reactions for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

Learn more
Press release: https://bit.ly/4gWk4Qh
Popular information: https://bit.ly/4iYIScY
Advanced information: https://bit.ly/4xQTcs8

02/10/2026

And now, we've reached the final chapter of our Board Announcements. ✨

As one journey concludes, another begins. With a shared vision, unwavering dedication, and a passion for growth, the leaders of ACS AU 26/27 are ready to guide the chapter toward new achievements and greater impact.
Please join us in welcoming:

Faculty Advisor: Prof. Sherine Khattab
ACS AU 26/27 President: Marc Rafik

01/10/2026

The chapter's success is built on the dedication of those who came before. Through their leadership, vision, and commitment, they laid the foundation for the chapter we proudly lead today. Now, they continue to guide us, sharing their expertise and experience as we embark on a new journey. Let's welcome our Graduate Advisors!

Scientific Graduate Advisors: Anglo Ayoub & Mazen Sherif
Media Graduate Advisor: Walid Heiba
Outreach Graduate Advisor: Noor El-din Farahat

29/09/2026

Creativity is the voice of every successful community. As one of our three main pillars, the Media Committee is responsible for shaping our image, sharing our stories, and highlighting the impact of our work. Let's welcome our Media Leaders!

Officers: Rodina Elbanna & Eglal Hazem
Advisors: Mazen Gebrill & Menna Ashraf

28/09/2026

Great opportunities begin with meaningful connections. As one of our three main pillars, the Outreach Committee is dedicated to building strong partnerships, expanding our reach, and creating valuable opportunities for our members. Let's welcome our Outreach Leads!

Officer: Alhassan Mahmoud
Vice Officers: Eman Alaa & Mohaned Medhat
Advisors: Ali Elshennawy & Ahmed Akl

27/09/2026

Behind every great researcher is a strong foundation. As one of our three main pillars, the Scientific Committee is dedicated to cultivating scientific thinking, advancing research skills, and nurturing the next generation of innovators. Let's welcome our Scientific Leads!

Officer: Abdelrhman Diab
Vice Officer: Razan El-Ghandour
Advisors: Rami Ali & Christine Rawhy

25/09/2026

We’re waiting for you!
Join us for 3 days of science, fun & discovery at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Don’t miss it! 🤍

🚀 ابدأ رحلة الاكتشاف... الكون أقرب مما تظن! 🌌
يعلن Planetarium Science Center - مركز القبة السماوية العلمي بقطاع التواصل الثقافي بمكتبة الإسكندرية عن انطلاق احتفالية العلوم 2026! 🪐✨
احزموا أمتعتكم لننطلق في رحلة مشوقة وممتعة لاستكشاف أعماق الفضاء وأسرار الكون من خلال أنشطة تفاعلية وورش عمل تناسب جميع الأعمار! 🌟
🗓️ الموعد: من السبت إلى الاثنين (26 – 28 سبتمبر 2026)
⏰ التوقيت: من الساعة 9:00 صباحًا حتى 2:00 ظهرًا
📍 المكان: الساحة الخارجية بمكتبة الإسكندرية (البلازا)
👥 نظام التسجيل والحضور:
• الأفراد والعائلات:
التسجيل إلكترونيًا عبر الرابط التالي (علمًا بأن المواعيد موضحة داخل الرابط)
🔗https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxs71Uh3vNwsaZhzdXBIVRqnJjNRQaNDqzvg4nVUIKHNQVeg/viewform?usp=dialog
• المجموعات والمدارس:
التسجيل والتنسيق المسبق عبر التواصل المباشر مع المركز. 📞
⚠️ ملاحظة: الحضور مجاني، ولكن يُشترط الحجز المسبق نظرًا لمحدودية الأعداد.
📱 للتواصل والحجز (للمجموعات والمدارس):
• تليفون: 4839999 3 (20+) (داخلي: 2350 - 2351
• واتساب 01012307772 (20+)
• البريد الإلكتروني [email protected]
جاهزون للمغامرة؟ سارعوا بالحجز والاشتراك الآن! 🔭✨


#العلوم
#ثقافة

04/09/2026

First, we sincerely thank everyone who took the time to apply. We truly appreciate the effort and enthusiasm shown throughout the application process.

As we reviewed the applications and sent the emails, we are willing to share our criteria for choosing a candidate for the 2nd stage of the application:

🔹 Commitment.
We were looking for applicants who could effectively communicate their willingness and ability to stay engaged and contribute throughout the season. An applicant who is willing to gain knowledge and step into new experiences and is ready to level up with their personality. In some cases, this commitment was not sufficiently reflected in the responses.

🔹 Overreliance on AI-generated answers.
While AI can be a useful tool, we highly value authenticity and personal expression. There is no doubt that using AI to give a retouch or correct grammar mistakes is a plus. Rather than that, some responses appeared heavily AI-generated, lacked individuality, and did not allow us to understand the applicant's unique perspective, experiences, and motivations.

🔹 Incomplete or insufficiently researched answers.
Some applications contained unanswered questions or responses that suggested limited effort in researching the topic before answering. We greatly appreciate applicants who take the initiative to explore, learn, and provide thoughtful responses.

We encourage everyone to view this as a learning opportunity and to continue developing their communication, research, and self-expression skills. We look forward to seeing many of you apply for future opportunities.

Thank you again for your interest in ACS Alexandria University Student Chapter. 💙

03/09/2026

Applicants, check your email!

All applicants for the ACS Alexandria University Student Chapter Volunteer Call have now received an email.

📥 Make sure to check your inbox and spam folder for the latest updates.

We can't wait to take the next step together!

30/08/2026

Participating in the training sessions and activities was a transformative experience that significantly expanded my knowledge and skills. They introduced me to a wealth of new scientific concepts and information that I was previously unfamiliar with, fueling my curiosity to explore and learn even more. Beyond the technical aspect, working within team environments helped me develop my practical and organizational abilities. It also enhanced my soft skills, allowing me to communicate more effectively, adapt to different challenges, and collaborate smoothly under real-world event settings.

These activities played a key role in clarifying and shaping my future ambitions. Importantly, they provided me with a valuable platform to communicate directly with professors and faculty members both within my college and across other faculties. This meaningful interaction motivated me to strengthen and deepen my understanding of chemistry and biochemistry, helping me learn how to apply this knowledge toward my personal aspirations. Ultimately, this experience bridged the gap between academic theory and practical ex*****on, giving me a clear direction for the research path and career goals I wish to pursue.

I found several activities particularly engaging and rewarding during my time with the chapter. Participating in conferences was a major highlight, especially the recent conference in El Alamein, which allowed me to connect with students from various universities outside of Alexandria University, while also benefiting from the rich scientific sessions presented by professors. Additionally, I really enjoyed working on media content, where I learned how to create eye-catching visuals while maintaining the chapter's unique visual identity. Lastly, presenting a scientific poster outside my immediate domain was an exciting personal accomplishment, as I was able to grasp the material and successfully convey it to the audience in a clear and engaging manner.

Apply now through:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRS6mgNHSu-_qYgOvm2K1u9B6l_ZMwIzo2L1ODYl7fACS67g/viewform?pli=1