ASU Cintana partner university in Egypt shortlisted for Times Higher Education Awards

Galala University, powered by Arizona State University, has been shortlisted in three categories for the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Arab World, becoming the only Egyptian university to be recognized in three categories:

• International Strategy of the Year.
• Leadership and Management Team of the Year.
• Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development.

Galala University joins 53 institutions, including Abu Dhabi University, the University of Jordan and Qatar University, as finalists in their respective categories.

“The Times Higher Education Awards Arab World were launched to identify and promote innovative and inspirational work taking place at higher education institutions, whatever their size, reputation or focus, and wherever they may be located across the region,” said Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer at Times Higher Education.

As the first-ever comprehensive smart university in Egypt, Galala University’s location on the coast of the Red Sea in the eastern desert is strategically positioned to serve the more than 50% of Egypt’s population who live in rural areas of the country, delivering in-demand degrees such as electrical engineering, business, psychology, sports business and biotechnology.

“The aim of (Galala University) is excellence based on both Egyptian and international standards of quality, working to serve society and develop the environment of Egypt’s universities with sustainable digital infrastructure and learning technologies,” said Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar in 2020. 

Today, more than 11,000 students at Galala University can access 37-plus multidisciplinary degree programs, including pathways to undergraduate degrees from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The 2024 Times Higher Education Arab World nominations further solidify ASU and Cintana Education’s joint mission to make a world-class education more ubiquitously available for students around the world.

“Improving the state of higher education globally requires universities to reimagine how they teach, serve, interact with and inspire all learners throughout their entire life span, and Galala University has embraced this vision, making development of its students and their country the top priority,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “Galala University's recognition in the Times Higher Education Awards Arab World is a testament to the remarkable achievements of our international partners and their dedication. Arizona State University is honored to contribute to the development of future leaders in Egypt in partnership with them.”

Douglass L. Becker, founder and chairman of Cintana Education, said, “Cintana is very proud to have been chosen to partner with Galala University so soon after its inception and are thrilled with its many accomplishments ever since. Along with our partners at Arizona State University, we have engaged deeply to support the design and planning for Galala as well as the implementation and operations. The results from the hard work of the Galala team are stunning — both in the scale of student enrollment and in its reputation for academic excellence.”

More than 400 entries were received from across 15 different countries/territories for the THE Awards Arab World. The winners will be announced in early December at the awards ceremony in Jordan.

For more information about Galala University or the ASU Cintana Alliance, visit global.asu.edu.