Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, received Dr. Maggie Nassif, Executive Director of Fulbright Egypt, in the presence of Prof. Sobhi Sharaf, Vice President of Menoufia University for Community Service and Environmental Development, Dr. Mostafa Shehata, Coordinator of the International Relations Unit at Menoufia University, Dr. Aser Hany, Assistant Program Director at the commission, and Dr. Mohamed Adel from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the university’s introductory event on Fulbright programs and addressed ways to support academic and research cooperation and enhance opportunities for scientific exchange between both sides.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased welcomed Dr. Maggie Nassif, expressing his pleasure at the visit, which reflects the depth of the long-standing relationship between the university and Fulbright Egypt. He affirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international institutions in a way that supports the education and scientific research system and provides more distinguished opportunities for students and faculty members. He also noted that Menoufia University places great importance on openness to the world and the exchange of expertise within the framework of the Egyptian state’s vision to build a generation capable of competition and innovation.

During the meeting, the university president emphasized that investment in education is one of the main pillars for achieving sustainable development, pointing out the Egyptian state’s commitment to developing the higher education system and linking its outcomes to labor market needs, thereby preparing qualified cadres capable of competing regionally and internationally. He also stressed the importance of expanding international cooperation and benefiting from Fulbright programs in supporting education, research, and the development of students’ and researchers’ capacities.

For her part, Dr. Maggie Nassif expressed her pleasure at visiting Menoufia University, praising the remarkable development witnessed across its academic and research sectors. She confirmed the existence of strong and long-standing cooperation between Fulbright Egypt and the university, which she described as an active partner in scientific exchange programs due to its distinguished academic staff and promising capabilities. She also noted that Prof. Ahmed El-Kased is a graduate of one of the commission’s university leadership training programs.

She further affirmed that the Fulbright Program in Egypt is among the oldest and largest worldwide, and that the budget allocated to Egypt ranks as the second largest among Fulbright programs globally, reflecting the strength and depth of educational relations between Egypt and the United States and confirming international confidence in Egypt’s higher education system.

Both sides praised the Egyptian state’s efforts in supporting investment in education and emphasized that Fulbright programs represent a successful model of international cooperation based on knowledge exchange and capacity building, positively reflecting on the quality of education and scientific research.

The meeting also addressed organizing seminars and introductory workshops within the university to raise awareness of the commission’s programs and application mechanisms, with the aim of increasing student and faculty participation in international scholarships.

Both sides further agreed to arrange a visit to Menoufia National University and organize an introductory session there to present Fulbright programs and explain application procedures, contributing to raising students’ awareness of available international opportunities and supporting the state’s orientation toward building a knowledge-based economy and academic openness.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Ahmed El-Kased and Dr. Maggie Nassif headed to the conference hall to hold the introductory session and meet students and faculty members to present the scholarships offered by Fulbright Egypt.