It is with great sadness that we inform you of the departure of our friend and colleague Prof. Dr Fathi Ibrahim Saad, who passed away on the 16th of August 2017 at the age of 73 years.
Professor Dr Fathi Saad was born on the 3rd of March 1944 in Tanta, State of Gharbya, Egypt. Fathi Saad obtained his veterinary degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt in 1966. He completed his PhD degree at the Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, in 1970. He moved through the ranks in this department and served as a Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Professor and, in 1992, he was named as the Head of the department. From 1996 to 1998, he acted as the Vice Dean for students and educational affairs and later served as the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. In 1998, he was named as the Vice Chancellor of Cairo University. Prof. Dr Saad was considered a national and international expert in the area of diseases of poultry. He served as an Expert for the Agriculture and Water Ministry, Saudi Arabia, from 1974 to 1978 and, from 1987 to 1991, he served as Professor of poultry diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
In 1999, Prof. Dr Fathi Saad became an Egyptian political figure when he was selected and served as Governor of State of Gharbya (1999–2004), Governor of State of Giza (2004–2008), and, finally, as Governor of State of 6 October (2008–2011). He served as a board member of several organizations such as the October 6 University as well as Al-Ahram Canadian University.
In collaboration with the late Professor Ahmed Ali Sami, Prof. Dr Saad founded the Egyptian branch of the World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) in 1986; he served as its President in 2006. He also served as one of the key individuals on the organizing committee of the XII WVPA Congress that was held in Cairo in 2002. His contributions to poultry diseases have been recognized through awards from industry, academia and government. He served as a scientific advisor for the poultry industry in Egypt and several other Arabic countries. During the last four decades, he served as chairperson of many of the governmental committees related to poultry diseases and production in Egypt. His knowledge and expertise were fundamental to enhancing and growing the poultry industry in Egypt and the Middle East. In 2015, he was inducted into the Hall of Honour of WVPA.
Prof. Dr Saad’s research programme was focused on diagnosis, epidemiology and control of poultry diseases. He authored or co-authored numerous publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals. He mentored and served as the major academic advisor for 45 Master and PhD students in the area of poultry diseases.
He will be missed by poultry specialists of the World Veterinary Poultry Association and his contributions will not be forgotten. We will remember Prof. Dr Fathi Saad for his long lasting, valuable contributions to academic teaching, and research that supported the poultry industry in the Middle East.
Our thoughts are with his family.
We recognize that words may not suffice to express the heartfelt sorrow that we feel for the passing of our friend and colleague.