Sawiris Foundation kicks off the second edition of the Executive Education Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and Chicago Booth School of Business

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Sawiris Foundation for Social Development launches the second edition of its “Chicago Booth Executive Program”, in collaboration with University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. The second edition of Chicago Booth Executive Program is implemented over the course of 14 days at El Gouna, in the Red Sea governorate. The University of Chicago has long been renowned as a pioneering academic and research institution. With a commitment to excellence, 91 Nobel Prize laureates have graduated from the university as a testament to their innovative educational philosophy.

Nassef Sawiris: We are investing in human capital through scholarship programs in world-class universities, focusing on majors that are most relevant to the future of work in Egypt and the Middle East

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Noura Selim: The program is an ideal educational opportunity that brings together influential leaders from the public and private sectors to enable greater impact

The opening ceremony was attended by Mrs. Yousriya Loza-Sawiris, Chairwoman of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, Mr. Nassef Sawiris, Member of University of Chicago’s Board of Trustees, Honorary President of Orascom Construction PLC and CEO of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI N.V), Eng. Noura Selim, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and Dr. Randall Kroszner, Norman R. Bobins Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Mr. Hassan Abdullah, Governor of The Central Bank of Egypt, and Eng. Hoda Dahroug, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Community Development at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The Chicago Booth Executive Program, the first of its kind in Egypt, is dedicated to strengthening professional networks and spurring economic growth. It does so by offering full scholarships for public-sector participants and partial awards for private-sector executives, with a focus on economics, management, data science, applied mathematics, and decision-making. The program is tailored to individuals from Egypt, providing them with knowledge that empowers them both professionally and personally while providing a meaningful contribution towards a more prosperous local economy via digital transformation & crisis mitigation strategies.

This Executive Program and other endeavors demonstrate Mr. Nassef Sawiris’ commitment to supporting higher education to stay at par with the developments in economic, social and industrial fields. In addition to the 46 executives who partook in the first edition of the program in El Gouna; Sawiris Foundation for Social Development under the patronage of Nassef Sawiris, has supported a student exchange program between Egypt and the University of Chicago. The exchange program granted 110 outstanding Egyptian students the opportunity to pursue their studies in economics, political science or business administration abroad for one year. The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship, a scholarship launched in 2001, has also enabled 93 promising students to continue their studies at top-ranked American universities such as Stanford, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Massachusetts.

Moreover, the Sawiris Foundation has provided 4 scholarships through a student exchange program for outstanding Architecture and Electric Engineering students from Ain Shams University, where they have been granted a year-long study opportunity at USA’s prestigious University of Pennsylvania.

Nassef Sawiris said: “Investing in education has the potential to unlock a world of opportunity for our youths. I am delighted to provide scholarships that will help provide some of Egypt’s most ambitious and talented students’ access to world-class universities around the world.”

Nassef Sawiris praised the longstanding partnership with University of Chicago, a leader in Economics and Business Administration. He commented, “Last year marked 15 years providing scholarships to our students at University of Chicago. I am honored to have graduated from this renowned university myself.”

Nassef Sawiris expressed his delight for the collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, he commented: “Our intent is to support Egypt’s efforts towards achieving economic growth in alignment with Vision 2030. The positive results we have seen from our scholarships over past years are truly remarkable – seeing our young talent reach high positions in government, private sector, and civil society organizations is inspiring.”
He added, “We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development on this ground-breaking project; providing an unparalleled opportunity for participants – giving them access to world-class education, modern concepts, knowledge exchange and innovative culture.”

Engineer Samih Sawiris expressed his honor to host the second edition of the Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna, saying, “Education has always been a key priority for Sawiris Foundation. It is a great pleasure to host this program in El Gouna, aiming to empower leaders who participate in Egypt’s economic and social development.”

Noura Selim, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, added, “We are proud of the cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the University of Chicago Booth in implementing this program. The program provides executives and leaders working in the public and private sectors with a platform for exchanging experiences and acquiring the necessary skills to lead in times of changes and global fragility.

She continued, “The Foundation has had significant impact over its 21 year journey in poverty alleviation and education. Through our various flagship programs and initiatives, we have been able to create real job opportunities for hundreds of thousands by providing high-quality educational and training opportunities. The positive feedback from participants in their first edition truly shows that investing in people’s knowledge is a gift with immeasurable returns.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Sawiris Foundation to launch the second offering of the Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna. The experiential program weaves collaboration, network-building across sectors with a rigorous strategy and management curriculum to support Egyptian leaders,” says Meena Wehrs, Associate Dean of Chicago Booth Executive Education.

Omar El Hamamsy, Group CEO of Orascom Development, said, “As a global developer of integrated towns, we are keen to collaborate with civil society organizations across our portfolio of destinations that bring immense value to our local economies and communities. We look forward to working with Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the School of Business at University of Chicago again to host such a novel program in El Gouna.”

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About Chicago Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago Booth, School of Business is the second oldest business school in the United States, and the first to educate executives. It is a cultural destination that attracts scholars and students worldwide to its Chicago campuses in London and Hong Kong. Chicago Booth is consistently ranked among the top business schools worldwide, and its alumni are some of the most recognized business leaders in the United States and around the world. Nine of its professors have been recognized with Nobel Prizes, in which three still teach at Booth.

About Sawiris Foundation:
The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) was established in 2001 with an endowment from the Sawiris Family as one of the first national donor foundations addressing many of Egyptian society’s critical and pressing issues. Since its establishment, the SFSD has been working to create opportunities, drive change, and achieve sustainable development that is based on knowledge and exchange of experiences and best development practices. For more than 20 years, the foundation has succeeded in consolidating the sustainable development approach instead of the charitable approach, by adopting pioneering initiatives and ideas and transforming them into projects that secure a decent life for all segments of Egyptian society, with a focus on the most in need, in the fields of education, scholarships, culture, economic and social empowerment. During its journey in sustainable development, SFSD has made a direct difference in the lives of more than 700,000 Egyptians, across 24 governorates, with a focus on Upper Egypt, and a total fund of EGP 2 billion.

About Orascom Development Holding AG:
Orascom Development is a leading developer of fully integrated destinations that include hotels, private villas, and apartments, leisure facilities such as golf courses, marinas, and supporting infrastructure. ODH’s diversified portfolio of destinations is spread over 6 jurisdictions (Egypt, UAE, Oman, Switzerland, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom), with a primary focus on tourist destinations. ODH currently operates 10 destinations: five in Egypt (El Gouna, O West, Taba Heights, Makadi Heights, and Byoum), The Cove in the United Arab Emirates, Jebel Sifah and Hawana Salalah in Oman, Luštica Bay in Montenegro, and Andermatt in Switzerland. The shares of ODH are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
About El Gouna:
Just a four-hour flight from Europe’s major capitals, a four-hour drive from Cairo and a 30-minute drive from Hurghada International Airport, El Gouna is a place to savor, rest and enjoy year-round sunshine and picturesque views as well as colorful nightlife. It is a fully integrated, self-sufficient town, adhering to the highest global standards while offering a uniquely charming coastal experience. Covering 10 km of pristine shoreline on the beautiful Red Sea coast and accommodating 18 reputable hotels, two championship golf courses, two world-class marinas, co-working facilities, an airport, schools, universities, and an international hospital, the town has been thoughtfully designed to cater to everybody’s needs. In addition to the influx of visitors from around the world, over 15,000 Egyptians and international residents call El Gouna their home and allow the festival to have a core audience. El Gouna’s gracious seaside living supported by the convenience and exclusivity of a self-contained community, in addition to its commitment to operational efficiency, makes the town well-versed in the art of hospitality.