Cairo – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) congratulated 30 Egyptian professionals who were awarded Cairo Initiative scholarships to pursue post-graduate studies in the United States starting in September 2014. 

The Cairo Initiative Scholarship Program selects scholars on the basis of their ability to fill crucial skills gaps necessary to increase Egyptian efficiency and economic growth.  Upon their return to Egypt, the scholars have committed to work in their ministry or institution in a job already identified and defined as needing the skills the scholars will learn.  The Cairo Initiative Scholarship Program was launched in 2011 during a critical transition period in Egypt and the first two cohorts of participants are already benefiting from the program.

Through this program, MOHE and USAID are providing approximately 250  scholarships to professionals from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State for Antiquities, Forensic Medicine Authority at the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Irrigation and Water resources; as well as Egyptian universities including Al Azhar, Ain Shams, Cairo, and Helwan Universities.

The United States sends nearly 400 Egyptians to the United States each year on study abroad programs, including short-term exchanges and long-term degree programs.  These programs cover diverse subject areas such as education, technology, economic empowerment, conflict resolution, environmental issues, gender issues, and the arts.  Through USAID, the U.S. Government has provided undergraduate scholarships for nearly 600 talented Egyptian students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at Egyptian universities and provided scholarships to 70 professionals representing 30 ministries and institutions to pursue post-graduate studies in the United States. 

To learn more about the Cairo Initiative and other exchange opportunities, please visit:  http://egypt.usembassy.gov and join the USAID Facebook group at:  https://www.facebook.com/USAIDEgypt.