President of New Mansoura University Participates in Signing International Cooperation Agreement with the University of Louisville to Launch a Master's Program in Engineering Sciences
Prof. Meawad Mohamed Elkholy, President of New Mansoura University, participated in an official academic visit to the University of Louisville in Kentucky, USA, as part of a delegation comprising the presidents of 12 Egyptian public and national universities. The visit aimed to sign a landmark agreement to establish a joint academic pathway for obtaining a Master of Science in Engineering in various disciplines, in collaboration with the University of Louisville.
The participation of Prof. Elkholy reflects the strategic vision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, under the leadership of H.E. Prof. Ayman Ashour, which emphasizes the internationalization of Egyptian higher education and the promotion of effective partnerships with globally recognized institutions. The initiative is aligned with the national strategy for higher education and scientific research and Egypt’s Vision 2030, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian graduates and strengthen global academic integration.
The week-long visit included an intensive schedule of academic engagements and institutional meetings. The delegation was officially welcomed by the University of Louisville’s International Center, followed by a comprehensive campus tour showcasing the university’s cutting-edge educational facilities, research labs, and innovation centers.
Prof. Elkholy took part in high-level meetings with university leadership, including Dean Emmanuel Collins of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and Dean David Owen of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also joined technical sessions with chairs of the Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Engineering Fundamentals departments to explore potential joint programs and avenues for collaboration in research and graduate education.
A key meeting was also held with Dr. Jon Klein, Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation, during which the delegation reviewed the university’s research infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. Discussions covered possible partnerships in artificial intelligence, digital health, smart mobility, and entrepreneurship.
Prof. Elkholy presented New Mansoura University’s vision for developing intelligent engineering programs and proposed expanding the collaboration into other areas such as computer science, biomedical engineering, and applied technologies. He emphasized the university’s commitment to providing globally integrated academic experiences for its students.
The official signing ceremony of the joint Master’s pathway agreement was held in the presence of H.E. Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt, who joined virtually. In his recorded address, the Minister praised the partnership as a model of successful international academic cooperation and a significant step toward achieving Egypt’s strategic educational goals.
Under the agreement, Egyptian students— including those from New Mansoura University—will complete 6 credit hours at their home institution before transferring to the University of Louisville to complete an additional 24 credit hours and earn a U.S.-accredited Master of Science in Engineering degree. The program is designed as a flexible academic pathway, rather than a dual-degree program, allowing for a streamlined transition and international academic exposure.
At the conclusion of the signing event, Prof. Elkholy participated in an open and informal meeting with Egyptian students currently engaged in a three-month summer internship at the University of Louisville under existing collaboration frameworks. Among them were students from New Mansoura University, who shared their training experiences, discussed the research projects they are involved in, and reflected on the value of this international opportunity.
Prof. Elkholy expressed pride in the outstanding performance of New Mansoura University students, describing their participation as a direct outcome of the university’s strategic efforts to empower talented students and provide access to global educational environments. The meeting concluded with a group lunch with the students in a warm, engaging atmosphere that underscored the human and academic dimensions of this partnership.
This significant visit and partnership reaffirm New Mansoura University’s role as a pioneering smart university that seeks to bridge local and global education, preparing its graduates to become internationally competitive professionals and leaders in knowledge and innovation—fully aligned with national priorities and under the guidance of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.