CAIRO, EGYPT
The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Cairo, through the officer in charge of Diaspora and Education/Students Affairs, engaged the leadership of Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in Cairo to explore opportunities for strengthening Uganda–Egypt cooperation in higher education, research and student mobility.
The meeting involved Prof. Ahmed Elsabbagh, President of E-JUST; Prof. Kenji Yokoyama, First Vice President for Regional and International Affairs; Prof. Tsunoda Manaba, JICA Chief Advisor; Ms. Adachi Mariko, JICA Project Expert; Dr. Moataz Abdulwahab, Deputy Vice President for Regional and International Affairs; Ms. Rozan Yousef, Manager of Regional and International Affairs; and Ms. Rana Tarek, Senior International Affairs Specialist. Discussions focused on developing a structured framework for institutional cooperation between E-JUST and Ugandan universities. Particular attention was given to the potential negotiation and conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on education cooperation, which would provide an institutional basis for sustained academic engagement.
The meeting also explored opportunities for joint research and innovation, academic and student exchange programmes, joint degree and university twinning arrangements, faculty and staff mobility, capacity building, workshops and other knowledge-sharing initiatives. A key area of discussion was the follow-up and strengthening of scholarship opportunities for Ugandan students at E-JUST. The engagement underscored the importance of maintaining and expanding access to quality higher education opportunities for Ugandan students while building institutional linkages that could contribute to skills development and national human capital priorities.
The discussions further examined possibilities for twinning sister universities in Uganda and Egypt, creating opportunities for sustained collaboration between institutions rather than limiting engagement to individual programmes or scholarship placements. The engagement formed part of the Embassy’s broader efforts to advance Uganda–Egypt relations through education diplomacy and to strengthen linkages between academic institutions, students and researchers in the two countries.
Earlier before Ms. Nambalirwa Azena, representing the Embassy, met with the leadership of the Uganda Students Association and newly enrolled Ugandan students at Al-Azhar University. The engagement served both as a welcome interaction and an opportunity to brief students on navigating university life and making the most of their academic programmes. Students were encouraged to remain focused on their studies, uphold discipline and conduct themselves responsibly while pursuing their education in Egypt. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss matters affecting the welfare of Ugandan students and the importance of maintaining effective communication between students, the Embassy and relevant institutions.
Taken together, the two engagements demonstrated the Embassy’s commitment to using education diplomacy as a bridge between Uganda and Egypt. By strengthening university partnerships, supporting scholarships, promoting academic mobility and safeguarding student welfare, the Embassy continued to contribute to stronger bilateral relations while advancing Uganda’s human capital development objectives.
The engagements therefore reinforced education as an important component of Uganda’s wider diplomatic agenda, linking academic cooperation, youth development, research, innovation and people-to-people relations between Uganda and Egypt.
Photo Credit: Uganda Embassy Cairo
