Keynote Speakers

National and Multinational Strategies for a Globalized R&D

Dr. Ahmed N. TANTAWY Egypt Nanotechnology Center, Egypt

Abstract:

In the talk, Dr. Ahmed N. Tantawy will cover the challenges and lessons learned during the 12 years spent as Regional CTO of IBM in MENA then CTO of IBM Software Solutions in the Growth Markets Region and now as advisor to the Egyptian Government in establishing a national nanotechnology initiative.

Biography:

Dr. Ahmed N. Tantawy is currently on loan from IBM to the Egyptian government to lead the establishment of a national Nanotechnology Center. Prior to that, he was Chief Technical Officer in the Growth Markets Region, where he initiated and oversaw complex, innovative projects in Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Between 2000 and 2008, he was IBM Technical Director for the Middle East and North Africa where he established and led numerous initiatives, particularly the Global Resource Centers in Egypt. As a corporate technical executive from 1996 to 2000, he led the invention and development of several products in the Digital Media area. Prior to joining IBM as a scientist at the T. J. Watson Research Center in New York in 1988, Dr. Tantawy spent 8 years as a University Professor and an independent consultant in the USA, France, and Saudi Arabia. His scientific contributions include 18 patents, 4 books and over 100 refereed papers. He obtained a PhD in Computer Engineering from Grenoble, France in 1980 after receiving his B.Eng. and M.Sc. degrees from Alexandria University, Egypt.