Microsoft Funds First EUIans batch to CESI
Egypt University of Informatics (EUI), located in the Knowledge City at Egypt's New Administrative Capital, received a delegation from the French university CESI, led by Jean-Marc Auguier, Director General of the university, to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the academic cooperation agreement between the two institutions, in preparation for its final signing and the commencement of its application starting from the next academic year.
Prof. Ahmed Hamad, Acting President of EUI, stated that during an expanded meeting held with the Director General of CESI, he discussed the latest developments in cooperation between the two sides and the mechanisms for implementing the agreement, which covers two dual degree programs for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, with the possibility of student exchange between the two universities and joint curricula.
He added that EUI has successfully secured funding from Microsoft to sponsor the first mission of EUI students to complete their studies at CESI, with the company funding three scholarships under the dual Bachelor's degree program. He attributed this to CESI's prestigious standing, the promising prospects of cooperation with it, and — most importantly — the unprecedented results achieved by EUI students studying abroad under similar cooperation agreements signed with many of the world's top universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.
He noted that CESI is considered one of France's leading applied institutions, particularly in the fields of engineering and technical project management, and is well known for its industrial partnerships and strong ties to the European labor market. The interest shown by its leadership in following up on the cooperation agreement with EUI and pushing for its implementation as soon as possible confirms the distinguished standing that EUI has achieved, both in preparing outstanding students and in the field of scientific research.
As evidence of this, he pointed to EUI's research project winning two million euros in funding from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) as part of the GAINAfrica initiative — an AI for Africa alliance that already includes French partners. CESI's Director General praised this achievement and expressed strong interest in EUI's research project, with discussions held on the possibility of future research collaboration between the two universities, including the formation of joint research teams at both faculty and student levels, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and applied research for the development of healthcare services.
He also revealed an agreement with CESI to provide an opportunity for one EUI faculty member to complete their PhD at the French university, which will fund 50% of the study costs for three years, with EUI covering the remaining costs. This comes as part of an ambitious strategy adopted by the university to develop its academic staff's capabilities and encourage scientific research, with the current academic year seeing — for the first time — a significant budget allocated to enable faculty members to complete their postgraduate studies at the world's best international academic universities, thereby enhancing EUI's competitiveness locally, regionally, and internationally.