President of Beni Suef University Welcomes the HydraSoil Team, First-Place Winner in the Zewail City Startup Competition, and Praises Its Innovation Supporting Sustainable Agriculture

Media Center
Prof. Dr. Tarek Ali, Acting President of Beni Suef University, received today the HydraSoil student team from the Faculty of Science, which won first place in the Zewail City of Science and Technology Startup Competition in the “The Maker” track, as part of the “Under 30” Competition, in cooperation with Masar Ventures. The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Hanan Soliman, Dean of the Faculty of Science.
The team comprises Ahmed Fathy El-Sayed, a graduate of the Faculty and a researcher at the Graduate School for Advanced Sciences; Basant Ahmed Fathy, a fourth-year student in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry; and Moaz Waleed Sayed, a fourth-year student in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at Beni Suef National University. The meeting was held in recognition of their scientific achievement and excellence in presenting an innovative project that serves the agricultural sector and contributes to supporting sustainable development efforts.
Prof. Dr. Tarek Ali affirmed that the University places great emphasis on supporting talented and creative students and providing an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. He noted that this achievement reflects the distinguished academic level of the University’s students and graduates and their ability to compete in prestigious scientific and innovation forums.
He explained that the team had developed a product called “Hydra,” an innovative soil conditioner based on natural and locally sourced materials. The product enhances the soil’s ability to retain irrigation water and nutrients and gradually make them available to plants, thereby contributing to more efficient use of water and fertilizers and improving plant growth conditions, particularly in sandy soils.
He added that the project represents a promising model for harnessing scientific research and innovation to address environmental and agricultural challenges. It is also aligned with the State’s efforts to support agricultural land reclamation and improve the efficiency of natural resource utilization by helping reduce irrigation water losses and enhance the utilization of nutrients, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture and strengthening water and food security.
For her part, Prof. Dr. Hanan Soliman expressed her pride in the student team’s outstanding achievement in securing first place in this highly competitive competition. She emphasized that the Faculty is committed to developing students’ research and practical skills and encouraging them to transform their scientific ideas into viable projects that contribute to serving the community and achieving development objectives.
The Dean of the Faculty praised the tremendous efforts made by the members of the HydraSoil team, stressing that this achievement reflects the quality of the educational and research processes at the Faculty. She noted that such excellence encourages more students to engage in innovative projects that provide practical solutions to development challenges, contribute added value to the economy and society, and further consolidate Beni Suef University’s position as an academic institution that supports innovation and scientific excellence.
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