Press Releases Nassef Sawiris gives $6 million to support Chicago Booth Executive Education in El Gouna, Egypt
- May 15, 2019
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business received a $6-million grant from University of Chicago Trustee Nassef Sawiris, AB ’82 and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, to create a first-of-its kind, custom-designed Executive Education program in El Gouna, Egypt. The grant is part of a larger gift to the University to support education in Egypt.
This Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna will be offered once a year and consists of three 14-day sessions in 2019 through 2021. The grant agreement brings together participants from both the private and public sectors in Egypt with Chicago Booth faculty in order to meet the challenges and changes in today’s evolving business landscape. Participants will experience a blend of traditional and experiential learning and expand their professional networks and influence. In future years, the program will include participants from the greater Middle East and North Africa region.
“I am excited to support the launch of a new Chicago Booth program in Egypt, bringing the school’s strength in executive education to emerging leaders in the public and private sectors of Egypt and the wider region,” said Nassef Sawiris, who is an alumnus of the College.
“As a truly global business school, we are delighted to partner with Mr. Sawiris to bring our distinctive Chicago Approach to management education to executives and government officials in Egypt,” said Chicago Booth Dean Madhav Rajan. “This unique program will further the school’s mission to influence and educate current and future leaders.”
Earlier philanthropy of Sawiris to the University also includes support of the Oriental Institute, undergraduates from Cairo University in Chicago and from UChicago in Egypt, and a visiting faculty fellowship program between Egypt and the UChicago Center in Paris.
Sawiris is the CEO of OCI N.V., an international engineering and construction contractor and chemical producer. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the College in 1982 and has served on the University’s Board of Trustees since 2013.
“With the generous support of Nassef Sawiris, we can bring world class Chicago Booth faculty to business and government leaders in the region,” said Meena Wehrs, associate dean of Chicago Booth Executive Education. “This highly-customized executive education program is designed to help leaders reach their highest potential.”
Learn more about the Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna, Egypt.
About the Sawiris Foundation
The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development was established in 2001 as one of the first national donor foundations in Egypt with an endowment from the Sawiris Family aiming at supporting development projects and programs implemented by NGOs in partnership with the private and public sectors.
The foundation focuses on promoting the participation and empowerment of Egypt’s most underprivileged communities and improving their conditions by focusing on job creation, provision of high–quality education, addressing priority health topics and community development.
About the University of 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 teach executives. As an intellectual destination, Chicago Booth draws scholars and students from around the world to its campuses in Chicago (Hyde Park, downtown), London and Hong Kong. Booth consistently ranks among the top business schools in the world, and its graduates include dozens of notable business leaders across the U.S. and worldwide. Nine faculty members have been named Nobel Prize winners, three of whom currently teach at Booth.
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Marielle Sainvilus
Director of Public Relations and Communications
Phone: 773.531.2894