Mansoura – Through the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative, the U.S. government welcomed the first group of 107 scholarship recipients participating in fee-based excellence programs at Mansoura, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Cairo, and Assiut universities.  Over eight years, this program will provide scholarships to 380 exemplary students for study in fields that are critical for Egypt’s economic growth, such as engineering, information technology, and business administration.

“This program will provide educational opportunities for high-achieving Egyptians to learn skills that will better meet the needs of a 21^st century economy,” said Dr. Arturo Acosta, Education Officer from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  “Their studies, combined with internships and community service projects, will help students to become leaders in Egypt’s economic growth.”

Supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and implemented by AMIDEAST,   this scholarship program targets high-achieving students from underserved areas in Egypt.  As part of this program, dedicated career counselors provide advice and support to enable the scholarship recipients to achieve excellence in their programs.  Students will receive English language training to increase their proficiency and will have opportunities to broaden and apply their learning through internships, business/entrepreneurship experiences, and U.S. study programs that will help students secure employment up on graduation.

This public university scholarship program is one component of the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI).  HEI is an investment in Egypt’s future that provides educational opportunities for high-achieving Egyptians to learn skills that will better meet the needs of the 21^st century economy.  During this multi-year, $250 million initiative, the U.S. Government will grant scholarships to nearly two thousand talented Egyptians in fields demanded by the local economy – including science, engineering, and business administration – that will help them achieve their dreams and contribute to Egypt’s economic prosperity.  The Initiative also establishes partnerships between Egyptian and American universities for knowledge transfer, research, and joint degree programs that reflect the needs of the modern economy.  This is part of the $30 billion that the American people have invested in Egypt through USAID since 1975.