In a continued effort to strengthen academic cooperation between Egypt and the United States, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, chaired the latest meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
The meeting brought together senior representatives from both countries’ academic and cultural spheres. Participants included Dr. Maggie Nassif, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Egypt, Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, and Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister and Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector. Also present were Dr. Ahmed Abdelghani, Head of the Central Administration for Missions, Emma Marwood, Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, and Sean Jones, development expert and professor at The American University in Cairo.
A Strategic Focus on Innovation and Regional Access
In his opening remarks, Minister Ashour welcomed the board members and extended his appreciation to both returning and new participants, as well as to Dr. Nassif and her team for their commitment to advancing bilateral academic ties.
The Minister emphasized the critical importance of expanding support for Egyptian researchers, particularly in fields tied to national development. He called for the development of new Fulbright programs aligned with Egypt’s priorities, including innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific research that contributes to economic growth and job creation.
Highlighting the role of higher education in regional development, Dr. Ashour stressed the need to ensure greater inclusion of youth from Egypt’s governorates within Fulbright’s scholarship and exchange offerings.
Progress and Milestones in Fulbright Programs
Dr. Maggie Nassif presented a comprehensive report on the commission’s recent achievements. Notably, she highlighted the graduation of the first PhD joint supervision scholar from Assiut University, the first Fulbright alumna from New Valley University, and the first MBA student for university leadership from Ain Shams University under the Fulbright program.
The commission also facilitated the placement of U.S. scholars across Egyptian universities and ministries in areas including marine biology, wireless communications engineering, public health, cinema, business, arts, and disability studies. The board reviewed Fulbright’s outreach activities conducted through alumni chapters in Assiut, Mansoura, Port Said, and Alexandria, which helped strengthen local engagement.
Approval of New Grants and Programs
The Fulbright team submitted several proposals to the board for approval, including:
- Master’s degree scholarships
- Research grants for doctoral candidates
- Fellowships in arts and Islamic studies
- English language teaching assistant programs
- The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship for mid-career government professionals
- Collaborative projects between American experts and Egyptian academic/government institutions
Plans were also announced for a series of conferences and networking events to showcase the achievements of Fulbright alumni and foster idea exchange between Egyptian and American professionals.
A Platform for National Development
Concluding the session, Dr. Ashour expressed satisfaction with the growing impact and diversity of Fulbright programs in Egypt. He reaffirmed the Egyptian government’s strong support — under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi — for expanding international partnerships in higher education and scientific research.
“These programs are vital not only for knowledge exchange but also for empowering youth and ensuring that scientific research plays a central role in sustainable development and societal advancement,” he stated.
