Study in Cairo: Discovering Sustainability in Egypt

12.07.2022 - Five questions for our exchange students Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed Omar from the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development in Cairo.

From the university

Five questions for our exchange students Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed Omar from the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development in Cairo.

The shared focus on sustainability, the commitment to holistic education, and the close connection to anthroposophy make the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development in Cairo an ideal partner university for Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, which is why the two universities have maintained a lively international exchange since 2016.

As early as its opening in 2012 by Professor Ibrahim Abouleish, founder of the SEKEM initiative and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, sustainable development was established as a guiding principle of Heliopolis University. The degree programs offered there in Engineering, Pharmacy, Business and Economics, Physical Therapy, and Organic Agriculture are also committed to this vision. In addition, as part of a holistic educational approach, students complete a so-called “Core Program,” a kind of Studium Generale in the fields of art, music, theater, and languages. The language of instruction is English.

After three students from the Department of Economics had the opportunity last autumn semester 2022 to complete their semester abroad at Heliopolis University through PROMOS funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), two exchange students from Cairo are currently guests at Alanus University in the summer semester 2022. In the following interview, Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed talk about their experiences during the exchange and why Alanus students definitely should not miss the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Cairo.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourselves?

Hello, we are Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed, international students from Egypt. We study “Business and Economics” at Heliopolis University. I, Yomna, am in my fourth semester majoring in “General Business,” and Nadia is in her final semester of “Economics.” We are delighted to have the opportunity to study here at Alanus University in the Department of Economics in the Bachelor’s degree program in Sustainable Management for one semester!

2. Why did you decide to study at Heliopolis University?

Heliopolis University is not just a university where you earn a degree. The way sustainability is taught there makes students aware that they have a responsibility toward the environment, society, and themselves. We learn how to apply this knowledge not only in our studies but also in real life, for example by working on a SEKEM project or taking part in events such as the “Social Initiative Forum” (SIF), where you can meet sustainable Egyptian and international entrepreneurs.

Heliopolis has created a Green Campus and is therefore a pioneer in Egypt. It is a place where environmentally friendly practices and education come together to advance sustainability. In addition, the university awards full scholarships to many students, giving them the opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop their full potential, exchange knowledge, and gain new experiences.

We are proud and happy to be part of Heliopolis University. We feel connected to the place and part of a wonderful community that is like a second home to us.

3. This is your first longer stay abroad – what experiences have you had so far at Alanus University and in Germany?

Yes, exactly, it is the first time for us to travel to Europe on our own. There really are no words to describe how we feel about this experience and the new knowledge we have gained, along with all the joy we have had. But we can definitely say that we have learned to be completely independent and to handle difficult situations. We have also become more sociable and open. We have made many new friends from Germany, Spain, Italy, China, India, and other countries, and we have learned a lot about their different cultures.

4. What are your plans for the rest of your time here?

We have already traveled to various cities in Germany, such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen. But we would still like to go to Berlin and Munich. We are also planning to travel to Paris and Italy and visit friends there.

5. What recommendations would you give to students who would like to visit Heliopolis?

First of all, don’t hesitate to apply! At Heliopolis, you can experience a new community where everyone is friendly and helpful, and you can feel part of it within the first few days.

Take advantage of the great opportunity and also attend the events at Heliopolis, where you can meet Egyptian and international start-ups and entrepreneurs. You can also visit the Entrepreneurship Center on campus at any time, where you can learn more about the sustainable projects they support. Enjoy your stay at SEKEM and make the most of the opportunity to gain more experience and knowledge!

In addition, Egypt is a breathtaking, wonderful country with a rich and diverse culture, interesting traditions, and the most delicious food. You definitely should not miss the chance to try different traditional dishes! There is certainly much more to do and see in Egypt than just the pyramids.

In the winter semester 2022/23, three students from the Department of Economics will once again be traveling to Egypt. The next application round for 2023/24 runs from December 1, 2022 to January 2023. You are welcome to seek advice during the International Office consultation hours:

Tue./Thu. 2:00–4:30 p.m. Phone: 02222.9321-1980 / Email: international.office@alanus.edu

Photo, from left: Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed (© Yomna Kotb)

Yomna Kotb und Nadia Sayed von der Heliopolis University Kairo zu Gast an der Alanus Hochschule

English Version

Five questions for our exchange students Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed Omar from the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development in Cairo

The shared focus on sustainability, holistic education and the anthroposophical background of Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development make it an ideal partner university of Alanus. Since 2016, both universities maintain active exchange activities.

With its opening in 2012 by Prof. Ibrahim Abouleish, founder of the SEKEM-initiative and alternative Nobel Prize winner, the focus on sustainability was already established. This vision finds its realisation in the study programmes of Engineering, Pharmacy, Business and Economics, Physical Therapy and Organic Agriculture. According to its holistic approach, the students also choose courses in a Core Program. Similar to our “Studium Generale” there are lectures in arts, theatre, music and also languages. The language of tuition is English.

Last autumn, funded by PROMOS scholarships, three Alanus-students from the economics department had the chance of spending a semester abroad at Heliopolis University. Right now, two exchange students from Heliopolis are studying here at Alanus. In the following interview, Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed will tell you more about their experiences and why you shouldn’t miss the opportunity of spending an exchange semester in Cairo:

1. Could you please present yourselves?

Hello, here are Yomna Kotb and Nadia Sayed. We are international students from Egypt, studying Business and Economics at Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development. I, Yomna, am doing my 4th semester with major general Business and Nadia is doing her last semester with major Economics. We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to be here and doing this semester with the sustainable business program at Alanus Hochschule.

2. Tell us a little about Heliopolis University – which aspects made you decide to study there?

Heliopolis University is not just a university to get a degree. But they are teaching sustainability in a way that increases the awareness of the students and the staff about their responsibility towards the environment, society and themselves. They integrate these concepts in the different faculties, not just in Business Faculty and not just theoretically; but actually how we can apply this in real life. We can participate in some of Sekem’s projects for example or join some events as the “Social Initiative Forum” (SIF) where you can meet Egyptian and International entrepreneurs.

HU is one of the pioneers in Egypt to build a Green Campus. So it’s a place where environmentally friendly practices and education combine to promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices in the campus. Also, the Heliopolis University was the first university to provide full scholarships to many students, giving them the chance to widen their horizons, unfold their potential, exchange knowledge and culture and gain new experience.

We are really happy and proud that we joined Heliopolis University, feeling connected to the place and a part of this great community as our second home.

3. This is your first time abroad – could you tell us your most important personal findings/lessons learned so far?

Yes, in fact it’s our first time travelling abroad on our own to Europe! Actually no words can express our feelings towards the experience and knowledge we gained and the fun and joy we had. But we can definitely say that we learned how to be fully independent and surely we can be self-reliant. We can and did handle any difficult situations we would face! J

Besides, we became more sociable, making a lot of international friends as Germans, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Indian and more. We learned a lot about their different cultures.

4. Which are your plans for the rest of your stay?

We already travelled to different cities in Germany like Cologne, Dusseldorf, Aachen and more and still would like to go to visit Berlin, Munich. We are planning to go to Paris and Italy in addition to hang out with friends whenever it’s possible.

5. Which recommendations would you like to give to all those interested in visiting Heliopolis?

First, don’t hesitate and just apply for it! You can experience a new community at Heliopolis where everyone is friendly and helpful and you can feel a part of it from the first days.

Take advantage of being there and attend the different events Heliopolis organizes, where you can meet Egyptian and international start-ups and entrepreneurs. You can also visit the entrepreneurship centre at any time at our campus where you can learn more about the sustainable projects they support.

Enjoy your visit to Sekem, the “economy of Love”, and exploit your opportunity to gain more experience and knowledge.

In addition, with no doubt Egypt is an amazing, fabulous country with rich and diverse culture, having interesting traditions and the most tasteful food ever! So don’t miss trying different traditional food.

All in all there is a lot more to do and see in Egypt than the pyramids, so just enjoy every moment there.