UWIC and Fayoum University Egypt sign MoU to establish new university in Egypt 
The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) and Fayoum University, Egypt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their commitment to establishing a new international university in Egypt.
The new university will enable the two institutions to work in partnership and to share expertise and knowledge with the aim of improving the quality of higher education in Egypt and in applied research linked to industry and entrepreneurship in Egypt.
The signing ceremony took place at The Senedd, home of the National Assembly for Wales and was presided over by Professor Antony Chapman, Vice-Chancellor of UWIC, Professor Ahmed El Gohary, President of Fayoum University, Mr Osama Saleh, Chairman of GAFI, the General Investment Authority for Egypt (Ministry of Investment), Councillor Brian Griffiths, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Andrew Davies AM, the Senedd Host.
The relationship between the UWIC and Fayoum University dates back to 1996 with the first Memorandum signed in 1998 to develop academic and scholarly links between the two institutions. Over the past decade UWIC and Fayoum University have maintained and furthered their relationship through EU-sponsored Projects creating a strong base for establishing a new university in Egypt. This Project is a direct implementation of the Egyptian National Higher Education strategy.
Fayoum University has been selected by the Egyptian Government as among only four Egyptian public universities (Fayoum, Cairo, Ain-Shams, Alexandria) to establish a new International University on land specifically granted by the government, and supported by the Prime Minister's Decree on Higher Education and Scientific Research Investment Zones.
The University will be the first Higher Education and Scientific Research Institution in Egypt, using the Public Private Partnership model in an investment zone.
According to Professor Antony Chapman, Vice-Chancellor of UWIC: “UWIC has a worldwide reputation with students from more than 140 countries, and this event today is a major milestone in the continuing relationship with a key international partner with whom we already share major EU contracts having worked in partnership since 1996. We look forward to working further with colleagues at Fayoum University and with the Egyptian government to develop plans for this exciting higher education complex at New Fayoum City.”
President of Fayoum University, Professor Ahmed El Gohary stated: "The establishment of a new international campus based on a public-private partnership model enhances Egypt's capacity to carry out world-class research. We are grateful to UWIC for their commitment towards higher education in Egypt.
The project will focus on two to three programs in the first phase, including in the areas of food science and technology, hotel and events management, and nursery and total quality management for hospital care. We welcome regular visits from the Vice-Chancellor of UWIC to Egypt to support and initiate these programs."
Mr Osama Saleh, Chairman of GAFI said: “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff – a partnership that has grown from strength to strength in recent years. The expertise provided by the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff has been of immense benefit to Egypt and we are grateful for Welsh support in building a sustainable, knowledge based society in Egypt.”
The UK is a major investor in Egypt in a wide range of sectors including education and training, infrastructure and energy. UK companies are currently involved in 11 new infrastructure projects in Egypt’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that amount to around £20 million.