France and Egypt have deep historical and cultural relationships in common; the two countries have been working hand in hand to enhance mutual cooperation in all fields, especially in cultural and scientific fields. Numerous French programmes and fellowships are offered by the French government and/ or initiatives from French scientific and cultural corpses are very popular among the Egyptian scientists and researchers.

Higher education

The French government (represented by the French embassy in Cairo, and the French centre for culture and cooperation) has established in cooperation with several universities in France and in Egypt a number of channels permitting both Egyptian and foreign students living in Egypt to follow their higher education in French language with the advantage of obtaining a French and an Egyptian degree at the same time. Moreover the same channels offer the possibility of obtaining internationally recognized master degrees. Excellent students are allowed to register for masters and/or Ph D to follow studies in France with scholarships from the French government.

• The French university in Egypt :

Created in 2002 by a presidential decree, the French university in Egypt (UFE) is located in Shorouk City in the periphery of Cairo, and harbours three faculties:

1. Applied languages faculty which contains two departments: International commerce - Translation and interpretation
    
2. Management and information systems which contains two departments: Management – Information systems
    
3. Engineering faculty which contains two departments:
   Information technology and communication - Energy computer-integrated manufacturing and control.

In April 2006 the university was officially inaugurated by the presidents of both countries. The UFE has several partnerships with a number of famous universities in France. It delivers both French and Egyptian diplomas.

Working languages in all three faculties are French English and Arabic giving the students a three
dimensional profile with the possibility to work using any of the three languages. Teaching is conducted by
both French and Egyptian professors.

French sections in Egyptian universities

1. Law and international business institute IDAI (created in 1988) - Cairo University – Faculty of law, in
   partnership with three French universities (Paris I Panthéon – Sorbonne, Paris II – Panthéon – Assas and
   Paris – Dauphine).
    
2. Economics and political sciences FESP department (created in 1994) – Cairo University – Faculty of economics
   and political sciences, in partnership with the “institut d’études politiques” in Paris.
    
3. Management and international commerce DGCI department (created in 1993) – Ain Shams University – Faculty of commerce, in partnership with the French universities Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris-Dauphine, Poitiers and Orléans.
    
4. French journalism section (created in 1994) – Cairo University – Faculty of communication, it delivers a diploma in high studies of journalism created by the Cairo university and the “institut français de presse” – university of Panthéon – Assas Paris II in partnership with the “centre de formation et de perfectionnement des journalistes”, Paris.
    
5. French agro-food section – University of Alexandria – Faculty of Agriculture – Department of science and technology of milk (created in 2003), in partnership with the “institut national agronomique” of Toulouse, the Senghor university in Alexandria, the “agence universitaire de la francophonie”.
    
6. Academic institute for teachers training (created in 2004), in partnership with Helwan university and the “Institut universitaire de formation des maîtres de Paris”.
   
    

Scholarships
 

• Eiffel grants
  The Eiffel scholarship program, launched in January 1999 by the French ministry of foreign affairs, is designed to encourage international recruiting by French schools of higher education for master students. Selection is based on the academic level of candidates. The scholarship comprises travel expenses, accommodation and a monthly allocation, and is destined to cover the whole duration of study (maximum two years). For more information http://www.egide.asso.fr/uk/programmes/eiffel/
   
• PhD programme
  This programme is financed by the French ministry of foreign affairs through the French cultural centre in Cairo and is specially designed to provide Egyptian PhD students, who are preparing their doctorate, with a chance to perform a part of their research in France in order to benefit from its research laboratories and institutions. The scholarship has a duration of one to three months each year and covers travel expenses, in addition to accommodation and a monthly allocation, and it can be renewed twice.
   
• Eiffel PhD Grants
  In 2005, the French ministry of foreign affairs launched a new scholarship - Eiffel doctorate scholarship - for top-level PhD students. Students from economically-emerging regions and from countries with high scientific and educational potential are offered opportunities for a one year study in France, preferably the second or third year of their doctoral course.
  The Eiffel doctorate scholarship programme was designed to address foreign students on doctoral thesis courses run in partnership with a French higher education centre, on a joint management or joint tutorship basis. For more information: http://www.egide.asso.fr/uk/programmes/eiffeldoct/
   
• “Agence universitaire de la francophonie” (AUF) grants
  Established in Montreal (Canada) en 1961, The AUF is a multilateral institution meant to support the solidarity and cooperation between the academic institutions using French as a working language. The agency offers several types of scholarships according to the level of studies which goes as far as post doctoral and up to research level. It allows for subscription on line and offers many advantages to its members.
  The AUF is present in more than 70 countries worldwide, through regional offices, access to information centres, numerical campuses and institutes of formation.
  http://www.moyen-orient.auf.org
  http://www.auf.org/rubrique1.html
   

Scientific research

• Joint research programme “IMHOTEP"
  "IMHOTEP" is a joint research programme financed by both the French ministry for foreign affairs and the academy of scientific research and technology in Egypt which aims at developing bilateral research projects between France and Egypt in scientific disciplines, especially life sciences, engineering sciences, medical sciences, and environmental sciences. Projects co-deposited by French and Egyptian researchers are evaluated by a joint committee. The duration of each project is two years. Fees for transportation for French researchers and accommodation fees for Egyptian researchers are covered by the French government. The Egyptian partner takes in charge the accommodation fees for the French researchers and the transportation fees for the Egyptian researchers. Each year, candidates can apply from mid- March. The deadline to receive application is the end of June. Egyptian candidates have to contact the academy of sciences at the ministry of
  
  higher education & research. French candidates may apply online through Egide website. For more information:
  http://www.egide.asso.fr/fr/programmes/pai/appels/imhotep.jhtml
   
• Centre d’études et de documentation économiques, juridiques et sociales (CEDEJ)
  Created in 1968 the centre has replaced the old French law school of 1890. It is mainly concerned with studies on contemporary Egypt and Sudan, receives students and researchers from different nationalities and regularly organises seminars and conferences. The team work is composed of French and Egyptian researchers and employees (around 40 persons), their headquarters are located in Cairo and there is a permanent branch office in Khartoum - Sudan. For more information: www.cedej.org.eg
   
• Archaeological research centres
  Archaeology is one of the major centres of interest to French researchers in Egypt. In addition to the numerous excavation missions coming regularly to explore archaeological sites there are two French organizations working on archaeology researches on permanent basis:
  - “l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale (IFAO)”
  - “le Centre Franco-Egyptien d’Etude des Temples de Karnak (CFEETK)” For more information : http://www.ifao.egnet.net and http://www.cfeetk.cnrs.fr
  Complementary information:
   
• France Contact
  France Contact is an organization specially dedicated to foreign researchers going to France. France Contact was realized in close collaboration with the national foundation Alfred Kastler. Its website is completely dedicated to personalized follow-up of every foreign researcher who registers, whatever his status, discipline or nationality is. In addition to facilitating scientific mobility towards France, it allows researchers who are already back in their countries of origin to participate in French actions of cooperation, scientific and technological development.
  France Contact also allows host institutions to provide researchers with information about their activities, concerning practical, scientific and technological aspects as well as cultural and leisure activities. For more information: http://www.francecontact.net
   
• CAMPUS FRANCE (formerly “EduFrance”)
  A public agency created by the ministry of national education and ministry of foreign affairs for the purpose of assisting foreign students willing to continue their studies in France. More than 60 offices are located in 30 countries to help students choose the most suitable discipline for their studies, assist them in preparing their stay in France. Its website is available in 15 languages. Campus France offers to its members many advantages, for example:
   
• Personal guidance in choosing formations.
   
• Assistance in inscription procedures.
   
• Information on all available institutions.
   
• Individual reception upon arrival in France and assistance in all necessary arrangements for accommodation, installation, adaptation and preliminary stay to improve language level before starting studies.
   
• For more information: www.campusfrance.org
  
  Contact with the French embassy and the French cultural centre :
  Scientific cooperation: coopscience@cfcc-eg.org
  French centre for culture and cooperation : http://www.ambafrance-eg.org/cfcc/
  French embassy in Egypt: http://www.ambafrance-eg.org/