Egypt and the United States have launched a significant initiative to enhance higher education through a five-year partnership program. The $57 million Higher Education Program (HEPP) is part of the broader $250 million Higher Education Initiative announced in April 2015. This U.S.-funded program aims to award up to 15 partnership grants over three years, with at least half of the funding designated for Egyptian educational institutions.
Sherry Carlin, Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cairo, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Egypt’s growing economy requires a better-educated, skilled workforce.” She added that HEPP will expand educational opportunities to align graduates' skills with modern economic demands.
Dr. Ashraf Hatem, Chairman for the Supreme Council for Universities, representing Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, stated that HEPP "comes out of a study of successful experiences with other countries that are building partnerships with Egyptian universities and their foreign counterparts."
The launch event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries and USAID Cairo’s implementing partner, North Carolina-based Research Triangle Institute (RTI). Key attendees were Eng. Mohamed El Sewedy, General Mohamed el Halawani, Dr. Mohsen El-Mahdy Said, and Ms. Sahar Sallam.
HEPP aims to build institutional capacity within Egyptian universities and technical colleges to produce graduates equipped for high-skill jobs. The program fosters collaboration between American and Egyptian universities and private sector partners through faculty exchanges and joint research efforts.
The event at Conrad Hotel also called for Expressions of Interest from eligible higher education institutions in Egypt and the U.S., focusing on applied research partnerships later in the year.