MTSU welcomes Egyptian students as part of international scholars exchange program

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Office of International Affairs welcomed nearly 20 students from Egypt for the fall semester through a partnership with a university in Cairo.

The 18 Egyptian students are part of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, Scholars Activity Program.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, right, and Rehab Ghazal, associate vice provost in the Office of International Affairs, stand with Zahi Hawass, former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs in Egypt, on the balcony of the Student Union Building following a luncheon welcoming 18 Egyptian students from American University in Cairo who are studying this fall at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, Scholars Activity Program. (Submitted photo)

In spring 2023, MTSU signed a memorandum of understanding with the American University in Cairo as a new partner for the USAID Scholars Activity Program, which is funded by the State Department. This is the second year of the five-year partnership, which brought 13 students to the Blue Raider campus for fall 2023 during its inaugural year.

During a recruitment trip to the Middle East and North Africa in May, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Rehab Ghazal, associate vice provost of International Affairs, met with this year’s incoming group of students ahead of time.

The scholars program supports high-achieving high school students from underrepresented backgrounds as they migrate into higher education. Once they are seniors in college, the program gives them the opportunity to spend one semester as exchange students in the United States.

In particular, the program aims to support the economic, social and environmental development plans in Egypt by focusing on university studies in the fields of water, energy, agriculture and nursing. Students are provided educational opportunities based on the foundations of knowledge, innovation and scientific research and characterized by excellence, experimental education, entrepreneurship and good preparation for the job market.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, center right, is joined by other university representatives on the balcony of the Student Union Building to welcome Zahi Hawass, center, former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs in Egypt, and 18 incoming exchange students from American University in Cairo who are studying this fall at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, Scholars Activity Program. (Submitted photo)

Potential scholars undergo a rigorous screening by the American University and MTSU. The incoming Egyptian students this fall are rising college seniors who are studying engineering and agriculture.

The Office of International Affairs supports MTSU’s international engagements with a mission to provide leadership for the comprehensive internationalization of MTSU by fostering the growth and development of international programs and services.

The office serves students who study abroad, international students who study at MTSU, and the faculty and staff who support them. To learn more, visit https://mtsu.edu/intered.