Resolving Optical Path
OPTICA EGYPT // CALIBRATING
Resolving Optical Path
OPTICA EGYPT // CALIBRATING
Academic Programs and Upskilling
Developing Egypt's next generation of optical scientists and photonic layout engineers through intensive seasonal schools, foundational curriculum modules, and hands-on computer-aided design laboratories.
2027 Winter School · Intensive technical immersion bridging classroom physics with modern photonic design.
A premier five-day national training school rotating among Egyptian universities. Featuring theoretical foundations, computational simulation bootcamps, and physical device characterization led by university faculty, industry leaders, and international Optica traveling lecturers.
Ain Shams University and The American University in Cairo (AUC)
January 24 – 28, 2027
Five-Day Intensive Course with Daily Hands-on Computer Laboratories
Subsidized by Optica Global and industry sponsors; free admission for selected scholarship fellows.
Structured foundational syllabus designed to take students from electromagnetic fundamentals to silicon layout readiness.
Electromagnetic waveguide theory, passive components, grating couplers, ring resonators, Mach-Zehnder interferometers, and multi-mode interferometers (MMI).
Faculty and Research Fellows in Integrated Optics
Python-first layout workflows, parameterized cells (PCells), DRC verification, waveguide routing, and GDSII export using gdsfactory.
Open-Source Photonics Layout Engineers
Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) fundamentals, boundary conditions (PML), frequency-domain eigenmode solving, and S-parameter extraction with Meep.
Computational Modeling Faculty and Simulation Specialists
Microsystems engineering, MEMS FTIR spectroscopy, photonic crystal refractive index sensors, bio-photonics, and industrial gas detection.
Prof. Diaa Khalil and Prof. Yasser Sabry (Ain Shams University / Si-Ware Systems)
Single-photon sources, spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), quantum entanglement on chip, and nonlinear Kerr optical phenomena.
Assoc. Prof. Salem Hegazy (Cairo University / Zewail City)
Participants who complete the five lecture modules, pass daily notebook exercises, and submit a DRC-clean layout receive an official certificate endorsed by Optica Egypt and academic partners.
Undergraduate seniors, graduate researchers (M.Sc. and Ph.D.), and junior industry engineers.
Moving beyond equations into working code. Every student completes guided, verified notebook laboratories in scripted photonic layout and electromagnetic wave propagation.
Parameterized component layout, automated waveguide routing, and DRC verification.
Finite-difference time-domain electromagnetic simulation and S-parameter extraction.
Microscopic layout inspection, layer hierarchy validation, and mask preparation.
Every participant works through verified Jupyter notebook exercises, implementing real layout designs and running electromagnetic simulations.
Direct in-person sessions delivered by international Optica Traveling Lecturers sponsored by the Optica Foundation.
Exclusive networking panels with Egyptian photonics companies, fabless start-ups, and international graduate scholarship advisors.
Progression Architecture
How students advance from introductory university coursework to national competitions and graduation project capstones.
Curricular roadmaps bridging electromagnetics, semiconductor devices, and wave optics with open computational exercises.
Hands-on immersion in Python layout automation and FDTD simulation leading to an official joint certificate of completion.
Direct progression into the Software-Defined Photonics Hackathon, the Egypt Photonic Chipathon, or graduation project capstones.
Test your skills in the Software-Defined Photonics Hackathon or the physical silicon Chipathon design contest.
Explore our live section calendar for monthly technical talks, distinguished guest lectures, and visiting Optica traveling lecturers.
The Egypt Photonics Seasonal School rotates between campuses across Greater Cairo, Alexandria, the Delta, and Upper Egypt. Universities can apply to host upcoming seasonal editions, providing computer lab facilities while Optica Egypt provides accredited lecturers and curriculum materials.