The eulogy of Prof. Mahmoud Odeh, Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts and former Vice President of Ain Shams University

The Faculty of Arts at Ain Shams University held a Eulogy council for Prof. Mahmoud Odeh, professor, and pioneer of sociology at the Faculty of Arts and former Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, in the presence of Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Mohamed Ibrahim, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Student Affairs, Prof. Hatem Rabie, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Graduate Studies and Research, Prof. Hanan Mohamed Salem, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, Prof. Shadia Qenawy, Professor of Sociology and former Egyptian delegate to UNESCO, and Prof. Naglaa Mahmoud, Head of the Sociology Department, and a group of faculty staff, teaching assistants, and students of the department.

Prof. Hanan Kamel presented the faculty shield to the family of the deceased in memory of his name and as a culmination of his efforts and academic contributions.

The Eulogy ceremony began with standing in mourning, reading Al-Fatihah, and verses from the Holy Quran read by Mr. Sayed Al-Helbawy.

Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty, opened a Eulogy session by offering condolences to his family, lovers, students, and Faculty professors, stressing that the faculty, and indeed the university and the Arab university world, lost one of the most prominent and influential pioneers of sociology who had an immortal imprint on the Arab library. Prof. Hanan Kamel was inspired by his death to create a museum for the possessions of the faculty’s pioneers and professors, as well as a volume of the biographies and works of these pioneers.

The Eulogy events included a review of his personal biography, his virtues, and the touching words of his wife, daughter, colleagues, and students in his eulogy, praying to God Almighty to cover him with His vast mercy and to inspire his family and loved ones with patience and solace.

The speakers unanimously agreed on his good conduct, his abundant giving, his respect for his students, and his humanity. He is the best father, professor, teacher, and listener to his wife, family, children, and students, and the best teacher.

Among the attendees were Mr. Hilmi Toulan, Prof. Amani Toulan, professor of sociology at the faculty, siblings of the deceased, Prof. Fathi Al-Sharqawi, professor of psychology at the faculty, Prof. Muhammad Sayed Khalil, former dean of the faculty and professor of psychology, and sociology professors: Prof. Nisreen Al-Baghdadi, former director of the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, Prof. Souad Atta, Prof. Mona Hafez, Prof. Mustafa Mortada, Prof. Saleh Suleiman, his biography was also presented.

His Excellency rose through the ranks of teaching assistant until he became professor of sociology and head of the department, then he became deputy of the Faculty of Arts for graduate studies and research, then to dean of the Faculty of Arts, at Ain Shams University, and became vice president of the university for education and student affairs, and from there to president of 6th of October University. Prof. Mahmoud Odeh contributed to the establishment of 4 departments in the Faculty of Arts, the Department of Communication and Media Sciences, the Department of Tourist Guidance, the Department of Archeology, and the Department of Libraries and Information, as planning for their establishment began during the period of the Vice Deanship of the Faculty of Arts and studies began during the period of his deanship.

He also contributed to the development of the Faculty of Arts’ facilities in terms of architectural additions and laboratory and office equipment, especially language laboratories, geographic information systems, the media studio, and other things, whether during the period of the deanship or the vice president of the university for education and student affairs.

He also developed youth care systems, student activities, and university dormitories at Ain Shams University. For example, but not limited to, he contributed to the development of theaters and gyms in many faculties.

He also contributed to developing student social solidarity systems and supporting university books. He founded for the first time the cultural magazine (Oun) at Ain Shams University and was its editor-in-chief. He founded the Center for Civilizational Studies at Ain Shams University and was chairman of its board of directors. He also received many awards, including The Excellent Research Award, the Ain Shams University Appreciation Award in Social Sciences, and the State Appreciation Award in Social Sciences.

Also, Prof. Mahmoud Odeh has many memberships in scientific bodies, for example, but not limited to: Chairman of the Arts Sector Committee - Supreme Council of Universities - Member of the Supreme Council of Higher Institutes - Vice Chairman of the Arts and Humanities Sector Committee, he was also a member of the International Sociological Union as well as Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Population Research Council of the Academy of Scientific Research and a member of the Council for more than 20 years.

Among his advisory and professional activities are participation in the activities of the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood - planning a poverty map research project in Egypt - participation in the activities of the population sector at the Ministry of Health - participation in some activities of the Decision Support Center in the Council of Ministers. He was the social advisor to the medical research team on “Female Circumcision in Egypt.”

He responded to the invitation of many universities in foreign and Arab countries, for example: (Federal University of Bellfeld, Germany - Ohio State University, USA - Sana'a University - United Arab Emirates University).

He has participations in conferences, for example: Firstly, at the local level: The first seminar on rural sociology in Egypt, and the symposium on the ethics of scientific research. Secondly: At the Arab regional level: The Arab Working Class Conference, in addition to his participation in many seminars and conferences, and giving public lectures in many Arab countries, third: The international level: Conference on Capitalist Penetration and Traditional Forms of Production, Seminar on Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education.

Also, Prof. Mahmoud Odeh authored many scientific papers, the number of which exceeded 35 papers.

He has many scientific reports and contributions to books and university publications, for example: (The Egyptian Villager Between Tradition and innovation - migration to the City of Cairo - working with Youth in a Heterogeneous Society - the future of the Egyptian village - The Mobile Phenomenon: a social analysis - the functions of poverty: a social comedy - Electoral behavior - The social reality of Egyptian women - Foundations of sociology - The temple, the mosque, and the shrine: a study of popular beliefs). The esteemed scholar also supervised many master’s and doctoral theses.

In conclusion, everyone prayed to God to have mercy on Prof. Mahmoud Odeh and to place him in spacious gardens with the martyrs, the truthful ones, and the prophets.