The Optical Society (OSA) announced it has established the Alhazen Egyptian OSA Local Section, the society’s first local section in the Middle East. The Cairo-based group was approved by the OSA Member and Education Services Council. Professor Mohamed Abdel Harith of the National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science at Cairo University will serve as president of this section, which is a self-governing organization with its own officers and bylaws. The section’s name comes from the 11th century scientist Alhazen, considered by many to be the father of modern optics, who was born in Iraq and lived in Egypt. The new OSA section will support the growing optics and photonics industry in Egypt and throughout the region. The organizers plan to provide networking events, career development, technical programming and youth education activities such as science fairs, lab tours and classroom demonstrations. “Egypt has an emerging and dedicated optics and photonics community, and we are glad to have the opportunity to support its growth,” said professor Bahaa Saleh, dean of CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida and an OSA Fellow. “This local section provides a unique opportunity to promote the science and technology of light throughout the Middle East region.” For more information, visit: www.osa.org