Osama Ahmed Naser El-Din
Stay at EEGA: January – March 2018
I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself at the Leibniz Science Campus “Eastern Europe – Global Area” (EEGA). Currently, I am a lecturer at Agricultural Economics department, Cairo University. Senior Research Fellow, Center for Agricultural Economic Studies, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. It is a concrete fact that economics is one of the most important components of the new world. That is why I was attracted to this extremely important specialization as my major in my bachelor’s stage, and thanks to my excellent grades. I was appointed by the faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, as a teaching assistance. When I got an opportunity to continue my postgraduate studies in Greece and Spain, I did not hesitate in doing so with the aim of helping my country with new experience and skills in my field. I have Diploma in “Business economics and management” from Greece. I finished my master thesis on (An Economic Study of Egyptian Agriculture Labor Force in the Context of Economic Liberalization Policies) during 2010, after I got my master’s degree; the University has appointed me as assistant lecture. I have decided to specialize more in my field, thus I was searched for PhD grant, I have accepted in scholarship given by Spanish government to study at the Center for Agro-food Economy and Development (CREDA-UPC-IRTA) is a private Foundation created by the UPC (Catalonia Polytechnic University), and IRTA (Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology) to elaborate my PhD thesis. During these years I have acquired notable experience in interacting with editors and reviewers of scientific journals. Also I have becoming an expert in modelling software’s.
The geographic focus of (EEGA) covers the Former Soviet Union which is the largest grain exporters in the world having dominated the Egyptian market. As the biggest wheat importer in the world, Egypt is considered as a trendsetter for global demand. Egypt is primarily importing grains from the Former Soviet Union countries (Russia and Ukraine). Sudden price jumps in international food grain markets also damages fiscal stability of net food importing countries, especially in countries where food subsidies consist a big part of the national budget. This makes Egypt vulnerable to Russian and Ukraine markets food price volatilities. This could be addressed during my fellowship stay in EEGA. To extend my research on food prices in Egypt towards Russia, it seems food prices in Egypt are strongly influenced by grain trade between Russia and Egypt, IAMO has strong experience on grain markets in Russia and Black Sea region, I would like to establish research cooperation. Prof. Dr. Thomas Glauben, Dr. Linde Götz and them team in IAMO conducting excellent research in the field of food economics specially on the topic of study how the grain prices transmitted along the supply chain from international market (focusing on Former Soviet Union) to other countries. It will be truly shape my career, and will boost my international network, which is essential when applying for grants and collaboration. It may also lead to a number of good publications and greatly enlarge my knowledge in food economics & policy.
