Your excellencies Minister el-Ahwany, Minister Abdul Khalek; Master of Ceremonies Mr. El-Kerdany; Astronaut Dr. Mary Ellen Weber; distinguished members of the Egyptian government, the Egyptian and American university communities, and the media; friends, colleagues, partners – and above all, students: Thank you for participating in this special occasion and thank you for your warm welcome.
Today marks the official launch of the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative (HEI), a multi-year project valued at $250 million. The initiative aims to provide scholarships for nearly 2,000 Egyptian students to attend universities in Egypt and the United States.
The scholarships will be awarded based on merit with an emphasis on recruiting economically disadvantaged students. They will support studies in fields identified by Egypt as crucial for its economic development, such as applied sciences, engineering, and business administration.
Additionally, HEI will benefit public universities in Egypt through investments aimed at fostering partnerships between Egyptian and American universities. These collaborations are expected to enhance joint research efforts, shared degree programs, and knowledge exchange.
Explaining the U.S.'s investment in these scholarships, Ambassador Beecroft stated that "Egypt’s future as a secure, prosperous, and democratic country is critical to the stability of this vitally important region." He emphasized that education plays a vital role in shaping Egypt's future.
Ambassador Beecroft quoted Fareed Zakaria who described higher education as "the United States’ best industry," highlighting America's global leadership in this field.
Egypt's historical significance was also noted by Ambassador Beecroft. He acknowledged its strategic position at "the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe" and its cultural influence across the Arab world.
The ambassador introduced three young Egyptians whose aspirations illustrate how education can impact their futures. Doaa plans to promote social issues through her entrepreneurial endeavors after earning an MBA. George aims to start an engineering company focused on renewable energy solutions. Sara has already made strides as an economist after studying in the U.S.
The initial group of HEI scholars was welcomed during the event. Ambassador Beecroft expressed confidence that they would contribute significantly to Egypt's progress through innovation and entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, he reiterated America's commitment to supporting Egypt's youth through initiatives like HEI: "Because we recognize the fundamental importance of Egypt and believe in the potential and dreams of its people."