The state of Egyptian science

"Universities are critically under-funded and academic salaries are so low that most scientists need second jobs to be able to make a living. Tourist guides earn more money than most scientists. You just can't expect world-class research under these circumstances. Also, Egypt has no large research facilities, such as particle accelerators. Some 750,000 students graduate each year and flood the labor market, yet few find suitable jobs – one reason for the current wave of protests."—Michael Harms, director of the German Academic Exchange Service in Cairo, Egypt. In an interview with Nature News.