Expanding educational exchange between Egypt and the United States was the central theme of an event held on May 21 by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt (BFCE). The occasion marked the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright scholarship program, which began globally in 1947 under Senator William Fulbright. He envisioned it would "bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion to world affairs." Since its inception in Egypt in 1949, BFCE has granted study, travel, research, and teaching opportunities to over 6,000 Egyptians and 1,000 Americans.
Dr. Khaled Abdul Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education, and U.S. Ambassador Stephen Beecroft congratulated BFCE staff and its Board of Directors on reaching this milestone. Ambassador Beecroft emphasized: "Education is one of Egypt’s highest national priorities, as it is for the United States, and Fulbright is at the very center of the U.S.-Egypt educational relationship. Egyptian Fulbright alumni include ministers, scientists, economists, doctors, lawyers, writers, artists, and experts from virtually every field."
Both officials highlighted their commitment to continuing collaboration through both the Fulbright Commission and other avenues to enhance scholarly dialogue and scientific research between the two nations.
The event concluded with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony in the Commission’s garden by Minister Abdul Ghaffar and BFCE Executive Director Dr. Maggie Nassif.