New dual degree programmes between Egypt and the UK

05 January 2020 Capacity building Education Egypt Impact Newton Fund

Egypt's rapid urbanisation and economic growth increases the demand for energy in the countries' building industry. More professional development and training is required, in particular in the design and construction labour market, to find sustainable solutions to Egypt’s growing energy needs.

A Newton Fund-British Council Institutional Links project has brought together researchers and stakeholders in the sector to advance capacity building in education, research and innovation. The collaboration resulted in the development and validation of three dual degree undergraduate programmes between University of East London and Ain Shams University (ASU) in the disciplines of Architecture and Environmental Architecture, Building Engineering, Computer Engineering and Software Systems. The Faculty of Engineering at ASU is now acknowledged as the first practical government college to facilitate a dual degree certificate to students from a UK university.

The programme will help to develop more sustainability aware graduates and a future workforce that can support the delivery of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2020. This will boost sustainability and socioeconomic growth in Egypt as well as in the UK.

"With the ever-increasing demand for affordable homes coupled with the urge for sustainable design to mitigate climate change, this project and the expertise shared will prove vital in finding solutions to those issues, drawing on UK and international insight."

Dr Heba Elsharkawy, University of East London

This success story was produced by British Council and originally appeared on the British Council website. Image copyright: Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University.The British Council runs Institutional Links grants under the Newton Fund. These grants facilitate research that tackles local and global development challenges such as extreme weather conditions, access to affordable health care, food and energy security.

Find out more about Newton Fund and GCRF capacity development.