The move is part of Egypt’s growing focus on developing higher education and expanding modern academic programmes amid the steady rise of its universities in international rankings. It is meant to widen the scope of cooperation with international universities, boost scientific output, and reinforce Egypt’s role as a regional hub of knowledge and culture.
Cairo and Alexandria universities were selected to establish branches overseas for their historical and academic stature as two of the oldest and most prestigious learning institutions in the Middle East and Africa, renowned for their contributions to scientific research and community service over many decades.
Cairo University President Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadek told Al-Ahram Weekly that setting up branches abroad will be a source of revenue for the university. The project was approved by the prime minister’s office after its contract was reviewed by the State Council’s Fatwa and Legislation Department, he added.
Already in progress is an initiative to establish a Cairo University branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Doha, Qatar. The Ajman, Riyadh, and Doha branches are slated to begin operations in the 2026-2027 academic year, he noted.
Abdel-Sadek added that Cairo University’s overseas branches will be run by its own faculty members and academic programmes, a matter agreed upon with the partner institutions. The university is committed to offering programmes tailored to the needs of labour markets in host and neighbouring countries, as well as enhancing partnerships with foreign universities, he said.
Abdel-Aziz Qonsoah, president of Alexandria University, said that preparations are underway to complete the university’s Abu Dhabi branch, which will offer programmes in health sciences, engineering, computer science, business, and the humanities. He added that Alexandria University is preparing to launch interdisciplinary programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in addition to dual-degree programmes developed in cooperation with leading international universities.
Opening international branches provides globally competitive degrees that address the development needs of host countries and the region, Qonsoah said.
Former education minister Al-Hilali Al-Sherbini pointed out that tuition fees, collected in hard currency under mutual agreements, will bring financial advantages while also introducing the Egyptian curriculum and education system to host countries. Egypt, Al-Sherbini said, has highly qualified academic staff who can be deployed at these branches, enhancing the professional standing of university professors and creating new job opportunities.
Establishing international branches also supports global rankings, Al-Sherbini said, expressing confidence that Egyptian higher education programmes can compete on a global scale.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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