Exchange students hosted by ASU to support Egypt in its energy transition goals

Arizona State University is hosting 17 students from Egypt through the Center of Excellence for Energy. Funded with the support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, the center aims to support Egypt in reaching its target of 42% renewable energy by 2035. To do this, the center works closely with leadership and faculty at Egyptian partner universities, as well as leadership in governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and the energy industry, to increase higher education capacity and promote innovation, competition and modernization of Egypt’s energy sector.

To increase higher education capacity, the center works with stakeholders to assess and develop higher education curriculum and research laboratory facilities, teaching methods and provide exchanges and training. This is the first cohort of students coming to ASU. They are enrolled in technical courses that align with their fields of study as well as an entrepreneurship course to support research commercialization and innovation, and energy sector competition.

“The students have a unique opportunity to work with world-class professors in the energy engineering field,” says Sayfe Kiaei, a professor of electrical engineering in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering and executive director for the Center of Excellence for Energy. “Not only will they be studying in their field of interest, but they will be conducting research under the guidance of faculty in state-of-the-art laboratories. The knowledge and hands-on experience they will gain as well as the exposure to international curricula will not only help further their career but will translate to building a highly skilled workforce in Egypt.”

The undergraduate and graduate student participants are seeking degrees in programs including energy and renewable energy engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, sustainable architectural design and more. For some, it is their first time leaving Egypt, and they are excited to immerse themselves in a new culture.

Abdelrahman El-Sayed El-Badawy, one of the exchange students from Ain Shams University says he is excited to “meet new people, get to know about diverse cultures and visit unfamiliar places” as well as meet his professors and discover ASU’s laboratory and technology resources.

ASU has been operating the Center of Excellence for Energy since 2021 in conjunction with its Egyptian partner universities Ain Shams University, Mansoura University and Aswan University. The center expects to send about 30 more exchange students to study in Arizona in the fall of 2023.

The exchange application for fall of 2023 is now open with a deadline of Sunday, February 26, 2023. For more information, visit the Center of Excellence for Energy.

The Center of Excellence for Energy is funded by USAID with the support of the American people with a goal to help Egypt reach its target of 42% renewable energy by 2035 and position the country as a regional leader in clean energy. The center is operated by Arizona State University in partnership with three Egyptian universities: Ain Shams, Mansoura and Aswan.

Article by Carrie Simmons, manager of marketing and communication at the Center of Excellence for Energy.