Through a collaboration with Arizona State University and the Cintana Alliance, a global network of ambitious universities working together to develop and scale high-quality academic programs, Galala University in Egypt will begin offering dual bachelor degrees to its students, allowing them the opportunity to earn an accredited degree from a top-ranked American university and from Galala University at the same time, without leaving Egypt.

The unique partnership is poised to rapidly expand access to high-quality and in-demand degrees for students throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, furthering ASU’s focus on driving social impact by increasing access to postsecondary education for students around the world. A small group of students walk together in front of the Faculty of Medical Sciences building on Galala University campus in Suez, Egypt. Download Full Image

With the addition of Galala University (GU), ASU and Cintana Alliance currently connect eight institutions from around the world in an effort to expand access to the high-quality education needed to fulfill the needs of an increasingly global environment. Over the next 10 years, the Alliance will grow to include an estimated 50 universities.

Starting spring 2022, qualified Galala University students will be able to pursue dual degrees in business administration, marketing, computer information systems, software engineering and electrical engineering, all recognized by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Students studying natural sciences, social sciences, art and humanities will also soon be able to earn an ASU undergraduate degree by completing their final year of study at an ASU campus or online. 

Galala University was established to be the first-ever smart university in Egypt, modeled after the fourth generation university concept that puts scientific research, local and international job requirements, and hands-on experience at the core of its learning strategy. Galala University’s programming and offerings will be strengthened by access to Arizona State University’s digital resources, innovative research initiatives, faculty experts and hundreds of degree program curricula to provide a competitive, world-class education for every learner.

“Over the last several years, developing new, high-quality national universities — including Galala University — has been core to the country’s strategic goal in improving higher education. GU is emerging as a state-of-the-art higher education institution that aims to provide our students with the highest level of learning, skills and competencies that enable them to compete nationally, regionally and globally," said Ashraf Haider Ghaleb, acting president of Galala University. "Together, (we) will develop a unique collaboration to achieve our strategic goal of globalization by providing GU students the opportunity to pursue dual degrees from our institution and Arizona State University. We look forward to working with our partners in the U.S.”

Last week, ASU Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales and ASU Vice President of Global Academic Initiatives Julia Rosen traveled to Cairo to finalize the partnership with leaders from Galala University, the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Cintana Education.

From left to right: Amyan Ashour, deputy minister of higher education and scientific research; Mohamed El-Shinawi, vice president for international cooperation at Galala University; H.E. Sherif Ismail, chairman of Galala University Board of Trustees; Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and provost of Arizona State University; Adel Al-Adawi, deputy chairman of Galala University Board of Trustees; Doug Becker, founder and chairman of Cintana Education.

“Arizona State University is delighted to be part of this initiative. We believe educational access on a global scale can best be achieved through comprehensive, networked partnerships,” Gonzales said. “We also believe new, inclusive educational models are needed to meet the expectations of students around the world. With Galala, we are introducing a new model of inclusion that provides students the opportunity to obtain an Arizona State University degree in Egypt, creating new educational opportunities in the years to come.”

Additionally, ASU will support Galala University to launch new research projects, engage in social impact work, educate the future Egyptian workforce and nurture first-generation college graduates through its commitment to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the surrounding community.

“Universities are engines of social transformation, through the work that they do and the community of scholars that they develop,” Gonzales said. “Much like Arizona State University, we anticipate many Galala students will be the first in their family to attend college. And as we have seen at Arizona State University, the power of a college degree lifts families and communities when these first-generation college graduates achieve more than they could have possibly imagined.”

Also joining the trip was Douglas L. Becker, founder and chairman of Cintana Education.

“Galala University represents a new, innovative model to advance the critical movement underway in postsecondary education in Egypt and around the world,” Becker said. “We are delighted to be able to bring together a leading American institution — Arizona State University — with a leading and equally ambitious international partner — Galala University — to provide students in the region with access to dual degrees from two top institutions. We are grateful for the continued partnership with ASU and look forward to future collaboration.”

For more information about the partnership between Arizona State University and Galala University, please visit galala.asu.edu. To learn about engagement opportunities with ASU-Cintana Alliance partners around the world, contact the Office of Global Academic Initiatives at asuglobal@asu.edu.