Cairo: Egypt has launched a specialized promotional mission for its educational services in Nigeria under the slogan "Study in Egypt," aiming to promote the country's higher education system, increase the number of international students, boost educational services exports, and open new markets. This initiative is under the auspices of the ministries of Investment and Foreign Trade and Higher Education and Scientific Research.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the mission is organized by the Egypt Expo and Convention Authority (EECA) in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Universities, the Central Administration for International Students at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Egyptian Commercial Service. The mission runs from August 24 to 30 and includes events in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid emphasized that education is among the promising sectors for Egypt's services exports. He stressed the importance of intensifying promotional efforts in foreign markets, particularly African markets, to highlight Egypt's higher education system and the academic programs offered by its universities. The ministry aims to open new markets for Egyptian educational services, increase the number of international students studying in Egypt, and enhance the competitiveness of the education sector, contributing to higher services exports and foreign currency revenues, while building new partnerships with educational institutions in target markets.
Farid added that direct engagement with students and educational institutions in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano would help showcase educational opportunities at Egyptian universities and identify the needs of the Nigerian market. This would support efforts to increase the number of Nigerian students studying in Egypt and expand the presence of Egyptian educational services in African markets.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdelaziz Konsowa, who is also acting culture minister, noted that Egyptian higher education is one of the country's key sources of soft power. International students at Egyptian universities are an important component of that soft power and also contribute to the economy and Egyptian universities. Egyptian universities have made significant progress in international rankings, both overall and in individual and interdisciplinary fields, alongside advances in scientific research and international publishing, strengthening their competitiveness and regional and international standing.
Egypt hosts students from more than 120 nationalities and offers them modern academic programs and specializations, as well as distinguished faculty and experts. The "Study in Egypt" platform also allows international students to apply to Egyptian universities, according to the minister.
The ministry is working to internationalize education and expand exports of Egyptian educational services by increasing outreach to students and educational institutions in foreign markets, helping attract more international students and strengthen academic cooperation between Egyptian universities and their counterparts abroad. Konsowa also highlighted Egypt's tourism, historical, and cultural assets, which support the concept of educational tourism and offer international students an integrated experience combining education and culture. Egyptian universities also focus on innovation, applying research outcomes and providing training programs and practical applications to prepare students for the labor market.
EECA Chairman Alaa el-Baily said the promotional mission was part of efforts to expand the authority's role in promoting Egyptian services and opening new markets. Education is one of the promising sectors for increasing Egypt's services exports and expanding their access to international markets. The mission aims to establish direct contact between Egyptian universities and Nigerian students and educational institutions, showcase academic programs and the benefits available to international students, attract more students, and strengthen academic cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria.
Participating universities include Cairo, Alexandria, Ain Shams, Capital, Al-Azhar, Luxor, Galala, Beni Suef National, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, and Salam universities, along with the Central Administration for International Students at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The mission's activities include introducing Egypt's higher education system and the programs offered by participating universities, presenting study opportunities to Nigerian students, and explaining admission requirements and tuition fees. Students can also meet university representatives and educational advisers directly, attend presentations and interactive sessions, and receive preliminary assessments of their qualifications for admission to Egyptian universities.
The mission will continue in Abuja and Kano in the coming days to strengthen engagement with Nigerian students and educational institutions, support efforts to attract international students, promote Egyptian educational services, and open new avenues for academic cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria.