The Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt (BFCE) and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo hosted a Fulbright Regional Alumni Conference on “Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI” June 7-9 in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The conference explored how American AI technologies, standards, and governance models are driving innovation and contributing to regional development across education, research, business, and governance - in Egypt, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and around the world.
Sixty-one Fulbright alumni from the MENA region who studied and trained in the United States delivered presentations showcasing the transformative potential of American AI as a catalyst for development and its far-reaching impact across numerous sectors. The conference concluded with a forward-looking dialogue on future U.S.-MENA cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Ms. Marwa Abbas, General Manager and Technology Leader of North East Africa at IBM, delivered the conference’s keynote address, spotlighting American investment in AI across the MENA region. She remarked, “Throughout my career, I've seen the most successful transformations are never driven by technology alone. They are driven by people who are willing to learn, adapt, make, enhance, and embrace the change. And that is why education and skills development have become one of the most important conversations of our time. Fulbright builds perspective and IBM builds skills and capability.”
Mr. Ruben Harutunian, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and Treasurer of the BFCE Board, reflected on the enduring strength of the Fulbright partnership. He noted, “The Fulbright program has been in Egypt for over 75 years. It is a tremendous partnership that yields positive results for the people of Egypt and for the people of the United States. Today, we stand at an exciting moment of possibility. As artificial intelligence continues to shape education, healthcare, and business, our task is to ensure that these tools expand opportunity, strengthen institutions, and help people solve real-world problems.”
Cari Graves, Senior Program Officer for Middle East Affairs Fulbright Programs at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, underscored the program’s strategic value, noting that the Fulbright Program "builds the trusted global and regional networks that drive innovation, economic growth, and security."
Dr. Mostafa Rifaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities and BFCE Board member, highlighted the significance of the occasion by sharing, “This conference is especially meaningful as it coincides with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. It is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring values of education, innovation, international cooperation, and the pursuit of knowledge.”
The Fulbright-Egypt team, led by Executive Director Dr. Maggie Nassif, welcomed Fulbright alumni from 11 Arab countries along with distinguished guests from academia, the public and private sectors, and government. In her remarks, Dr. Nassif extended a warm welcome to attendees in Om El Donya - Egypt - noting that the gathering celebrated American contributions to science and innovation, recognized America's investment in young talent across the MENA region, and charted the course for the next chapter of U.S.-MENA collaboration.
Established in 1949, BFCE is the largest and oldest Fulbright program in the MENA region, and has facilitated exchanges for over 8,000 Egyptian and American scholars and students, making it a cornerstone of U.S.-Egypt bilateral relations.
To learn more about the Fulbright Program in Egypt, please visit the BFCE website here: https://fulbright-egypt.org/program/student/.
To learn more about the U.S.-Egypt partnership, visit U.S. Embassy Egypt and follow @USEmbassyCairo on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Follow CDA Robert Silverman @USChargeEgypt on X.
Follow the latest news on Google News
