The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and dubbed Egyptian Initiative for Scholarships and Educational Tourism, is part of the country's National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.

At an event to introduce the new initiative on Monday, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour announced the introduction of an educational visa for international students which grants them all the rights associated with residency during their study in the country.

The EGYAID initiative is part of the larger Study in Egypt program, which promotes Egypt as the preferred study destination for international students, explained Minister Ashour.

The new initiative will offer more scholarships to students from friendly and brotherly countries.

It will also provide a comprehensive social, cultural and medical support system to international students enrolled in Egyptian universities.

Eligibility for these scholarships requires academic excellence, a minimum of 70 percent GPA in high school final exams for applicants to undergraduate programs, and a good grade for applicants to graduate studies, said Sherif Saleh, the head of the Central Administration for Foreign Students at the higher education ministry, during the launch event.

The application deadline for these scholarships to international students is 15 September.

The ministries of transport, civil aviation, tourism and antiquities, and culture will also participate in supporting international students under the EGYAID and Study in Egypt initiatives.

More international students!
 

The number of international students applying for undergraduate programs in Egyptian universities increased by 33 percent in the academic year 2022/2023 compared to the previous academic year, recording 34,407 up from 25,701, according to figures released by the higher education ministry.

Egyptian universities accepted 75 percent of all international students who applied to their undergraduate programs in 2022/2023.