In a landmark academic milestone, the Faculty of Science at Sirte University hosted the defence of three Master’s theses on Tuesday—marking the university’s return to postgraduate research after an 18-year suspension.
According to the university’s media office, this occasion represents a revival of higher education efforts at the institution following nearly two decades of academic stagnation.
The first thesis was presented by Salwa Amer Belgasem, a researcher in the Department of Chemistry. Her research focused on developing a cost-effective absorbent material for the removal of heavy metals from water—a topic of growing importance in environmental chemistry. The defence panel included Dr. Abdelsalam Al-Salheen as the primary supervisor, Dr. Abdelsalam Abdelhafidh as the internal examiner, and Dr. Adel Al-Ajtil as the external examiner.
The second thesis was submitted by Hadeel Ali Al-Sayed, also from the Department of Chemistry. Titled “The Effect of Solvents on the Spectral and Photochemical Properties of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes,” her research was evaluated by a committee comprising Dr. Ahmeid Younes (primary supervisor), Dr. Salima Muftah (assistant supervisor), Dr. Abdelsalam Al-Salheen (internal examiner), and Dr. Adel Al-Ajtil (external examiner).
The third defence featured researcher Hamida Misbah Zeid, whose thesis investigated the “Enhancement of Photochemical and Chemical Activity of Silver-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Using Green Methanol Extracted from Lemon Plant.” Her panel consisted of Dr. Ahmeid Younes (primary supervisor), Dr. Salima Muftah (assistant supervisor), Dr. Fathiya Abdeljawad (internal examiner), and Dr. Adel Militan (external examiner).
This academic revival highlights the university’s commitment to advancing scientific research and encouraging students to explore solutions to real-world problems, particularly in environmental sustainability and material chemistry.