Member of the German Bundestag Alexander Radwan: The German University in Cairo is a Success Story Germans Should Know About

Dr. Alexander Gamal Radwan is one of Germany’s leading politicians on Middle Eastern affairs and Euro-Arab relations. 

He is a Member of the German Bundestag representing the Christian Social Union (CSU), serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on European Union Affairs, is the CSU’s spokesperson on foreign policy, and chairs the parliamentary group responsible for relations with Arab countries in the Middle East. His views carry particular weight not only because of his political responsibilities, but also because of his personal connection to Egypt. His father came from Egypt to Germany more than six decades ago to pursue his studies, a background that has led Radwan to describe himself as a product of the longstanding friendship between Egypt and Germany.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Radwan praised the role of Prof. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo (GUC), in establishing one of the most successful models of academic cooperation between Egypt and Germany. He stressed that the university has evolved beyond being an educational institution to become a genuine bridge for scientific, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

During his meeting with Prof. Ashraf Mansour, Radwan reflected on their many years of cooperation, emphasizing that their shared objective has always been to strengthen Egyptian-German relations. He also expressed his hope for expanding this cooperation in the years ahead.

He described the German University in Cairo as one of the largest German universities outside Germany, with more than 20,000 students, calling it a remarkable success story that deserves far greater recognition within Germany’s academic and media circles.

Radwan noted that the university’s achievements are still not sufficiently known in Germany. He revealed his intention to visit the university during its upcoming anniversary celebrations and expressed his hope of organizing a visit for a delegation of German journalists to experience the institution firsthand and introduce its achievements to the German public.

He emphasized that the German University in Cairo plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations not only in higher education but also in the economic sphere. Its graduates combine strong academic qualifications with proficiency in the German language and a deep understanding of German work culture—qualities that provide German companies with greater confidence when considering investments in Egypt.

Radwan further highlighted the university’s potential to play an even greater role in advancing vocational education by training teachers, transferring German expertise in applied education, and helping prepare a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the labor market.

Speaking about his personal ties to Egypt, Radwan said that his father’s journey to Germany as a student more than sixty years ago shaped his own life. For that reason, he considers himself one of the products of the Egyptian-German friendship and believes that the human and cultural bonds between the two peoples form the true foundation upon which political and economic partnerships are built.

He concluded by stressing that investing in education is the most sustainable investment of all, adding that the experience of the German University in Cairo, under the leadership of Prof. Ashraf Mansour, offers a practical example of what Egyptian-German cooperation can achieve when it is based on a long-term vision and a genuine commitment to investing in people above all else.P