USAID in Egypt sheds light on the success of student Samar of Ain Shams University on the Super Scholar Day

Our Super Scholar this week is not only an academic champion, she’s a Kung Fu champion! Meet Samar, from Cairo, who is a first-year student at Ain Shams University studying in the Materials and Nanotechnology Program. She won a gold medal recently in the under-20 women's division at the Greater Cairo Kung Fu Championship.

“I love science. It was my childhood dream to study in a university science faculty. And my parents, who are my role models, encouraged it. I dreamed of being a scientist in a research laboratory, exploring and inventing new things. When I heard about the impressive new science of nanotechnology, I did not hesitate to enter this magic world. The thing I enjoy most in this program is how our program coordinator, Dr. Tamer Abdallah, makes us love our studies. He always encourages me to do my best -- in my studies and in sports also.

“I have been involved with Kung Fu since I was 6 years old. What Kung Fu has taught me about myself is that I am a perfectionist. I always seek to be 100%. Maybe 99% is good, but inside I see that 100% is better. Kung Fu has made me very patient. I can train for a whole day without feeling that I am tired because I want to learn a new skill -- this has helped me be good at studying. I am also skilled at leading teams because of my experience as assistant coach on my Kung Fu team. So, I can lead any team wherever I am.

“The thing I like most about Kung Fu is that I feel like I am a butterfly. I feel very light and I can jump, run, and fight. I can defend myself. I can do anything. I dream of teaching every girl this sport!

“My dream is to be a genetic engineering and nano-oncology researcher. We must confront cancer and microscopic viruses with science!”

Samar, with your perfectionism and passion for sports and science, USAID hopes you will keep winning gold -- in Kung Fu and, someday, maybe from the Nobel Foundation, too!