2025 Fulbright-Egypt Annual Alumni Conference
On November 2025, the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt (BFCE) hosted its annual alumni conference “Celebrating America 250: Binational Collaboration for a Shared Future”. Alumni and guests were welcomed by Executive Director, Dr. Maggie Nassif and BFCE Board member Mr. Ruben Harutunian, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Two U.S. Specialists shared details about their work in Egypt as part of a plenary session titled: Building Binational Bridges. Fulbright U.S. Specialists Dr. Amarjeet S. Sawhney, Professor and Endowed Chair of Architecture at Miami Dade College spoke about “Supporting Rainwater Management in Alexandria” and Dr. Ross Pifer, Director, of the Center for Agriculture and Shale Law at Dickinson School of Law at the Pennsylvania State University spoke about “Developing Geographical Indicators in Egypt”. They were joined by Dr. Ibrahim Maarouf, Professor of History and Theories of Architecture, and Chair of the Architectural Engineering Department at Alexandria University. The panel was moderated by Dr. Amr Elbanhawy, Associate Professor and Director of the Energy Technology Laboratory at the Faculty of Engineering of Ain Shams University and Fulbright Egyptian Scholar Program Alumnus (2025).
This was followed by 12 breakout sessions featuring over 70 Fulbright alumni speakers and moderators on the following topics:
- Education and Training: Innovative Projects for Human Capacity Development
- Innovation in the Age of AI: An Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion on Digital Transformation in Education, Science and the Humanities
- The Important Role of the Humanities and Social Sciences: Shared Histories, Future Prospects and Global Impact
- Female Trailblazers in STEAM: Inspirational Footprints and Achievements
- Public Health and the Medical Sciences: Towards a Healthier Shared Future (Green Group)
- Food Security, Water Management and Agriculture: Anchors for Sustainable Development
- Entrepreneurship, Business and Public Policy: Engines for Prosperity
- Cutting-Edge Scientific Research: Technological Advancements and Trends
- The Arts, Immersive Media and Digital Storytelling: Fostering Art Diplomacy Through Innovation
- Female Trailblazers in STEAM: Projects, Research and Community Impact
- Public Health and the Medical Sciences: Towards a Healthier Shared Future (Blue Group)
- Public Health and the Medical Sciences: Towards a Healthier Shared Future (Silver Group)
The afternoon session included a certificate ceremony for the 2025 alumni cohort which were presented by BFCE Board Member Ms. Emma Marwood, Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo followed by a Keynote speaker Mr. Ahmed Issa, Executive Board Director and Deputy CEO at Banque Misr and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. Mr. Issa is a Fulbright Commission Alumnus of the Harvard Institute for International Development, 1997. The guests included university presidents and deans as well as the Assistant Minister of Higher Education for Technical Education and Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.
