British Embassy in Cairo Hosts Farewell Reception for 2025/26 Chevening Scholars

The British Embassy in Cairo hosted a farewell reception yesterday at the Ambassador’s Residence to celebrate the departure of Egypt’s 2025/26 Chevening Scholars. The event brought together newly selected scholars, Chevening alumni and representatives from the British Council and BP Egypt, one of the scheme’s sponsors.

This year, 29 Egyptian scholars have been awarded fully-funded Chevening Scholarships to pursue one-year Master’s degrees at leading UK universities. The cohort represents a diverse range of academic disciplines and geographic backgrounds, with scholars hailing from Mansoura, Alexandria, Fayoum, Beheira, Menoufia, Sohag, Cairo, and Giza. Fields of study included Thermal Power & Fluid Engineering, International Political Economy, Environmental Law, Peacebuilding and Diplomacy, Entrepreneurship, and Emerging Economies and International Development.

The event also welcomed a group of newly selected Chevening scholars from Gaza and Sudan currently residing in Egypt, reflecting the programme’s regional reach and inclusive spirit.

In his opening remarks, His Majesty’s Ambassador Mark Bryson-Richardson, congratulated the scholars and highlighted the enduring strength of UK-Egypt educational partnerships. He also acknowledged the contributions of BP Egypt, which continues to sponsor a full Chevening Scholarship annually in the field of energy and environment. The evening featured a keynote address by Dr. Shahira Abdel Shahid, a distinguished Chevening alumna and financial expert, who shared reflections on her academic journey in the UK and its impact on her career. Dr. Shahira, who earned her MSc in Finance from Strathclyde University and PhD from Aston Business School, was previously recognized by the Chevening Secretariat as one of the global female changemakers from Africa and the Middle East.

Prominent Egyptian Chevening alumni include several influential figures who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Among them are HE Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance; HE Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission; HE Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority; Dr. Sherif Kamel, Dean of the School of Business at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Karim El Shenawy, multiple award-winning director and producer.

Applications for next year’s Chevening Scholarship scheme are now open and will close on 7 October 2025. All Egyptian nationals with an undergraduate degree and at least two years of work experience are eligible to apply.