UPEI Cairo Campus holds Convocation ceremony on June 7
The University of Prince Edward Island held its 2026 Convocation ceremony on Sunday, June 7 at its campus in New Cairo, Egypt.
The UPEI Cairo Campus offers several degrees: Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Computational Sciences; Bachelor of Business Administration; and Master of Business Administration in Global Leadership. Students in these degree programs learn the same curricula as do those at UPEI’s home campus on Prince Edward Island, and, at the end of their programs, graduate with UPEI degrees.
Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, presided over the ceremony, which celebrated 157 graduates, including 136 undergraduate students and 21 MBA graduates.
In her opening address, Dr. Rodgers explained the roles of universities in today’s society and how UPEI has prepared its graduates to become agents of positive change, in their work, in their homes, and in their communities.
“What is the role of the university in such a chaotic, outraged, and austere socio-political climate? Universities have a responsibility to be the seats of higher learning and critical thinking, informed debate, considering and developing diverse ideas and points of view, all with the purpose of supporting constructive, social, political, scientific, and economic change in the world….The university has to prepare you, our graduates, to work in and try to calm these interesting times. There are two main ways universities enact this responsibility. One way is through scholarship and research from our faculty members that deeply explores ideas, science, social, political, and artistic thought and expression, and connecting people and organizations and communities with these discussions. It is important that universities remain forums for thoughtful discussion of all ideas embracing diverse points of view. The other way, the main way, is by preparing you, our graduates, to go out in the world prepared to take on big ideas, difficult debates, and to be resilient to chaotic conditions, to enable you to work against the chaos.”
Dr. Kim Critchley, Provost of the UPEI Cairo Campus, served as master of ceremonies for the convocation. Members of the platform party included Dr. Ramy Sallam, President, Universities of Canada in Egypt; Dr Hadia Hamdy, Vice-President Academic Development and Strategic Initiatives, Universities of Canada in Egypt, Lead Marshal for Convocation; Dr. Rasha El Shafei, Associate Provost and Associate Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design, UPEI Cairo Campus; Dr. Suzanne Kresta, Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, UPEI; Dr Libby Osgood, Associate Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, UPEI; Dr. Islam Hegazy, Associate Dean, Faculty of Science, UPEI Cairo Campus; Dr. Tarek Mady, Dean, McDougall Faculty of Business, UPEI; Dr. Nesma Ammar, Associate Dean, McDougall Faculty of Business, UPEI Cairo Campus; and Ms. Mariam Amr, UPEI Cairo Alumni Association Representative.
Yassmein Mohamed Ibrhim Ali, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Major in Analytics, Specialization in Business Analytics, was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Cup for achieving the highest academic standing across all faculties and was the top achiever in the McDougall Faculty of Business.
Mr. Seif Ahmed Khalifa, Bachelor of Science Graduate with a major in Video Game Programming, delivered an inspiring valedictory address to his fellow graduates, faculty, special guests, family, and friends.
Following the awarding of their degrees, the graduates received a UPEI pin and card from the UPEI Alumni Association as the newest members of the Panthers-for-Life family.
About UPEI Cairo Campus
In 2017, UPEI began discussions to offer an academic program in Egypt after a Canadian parliamentary delegation visited that country to explore establishing a university complex in New Cairo. Established in 2018, the UPEI Cairo Campus is the first International Branch Campus in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and is proudly hosted by Universities of Canada, Egypt (UCE). The high quality of the educational experience is evident in the increasing number of students who come from around the world to study and learn at UPEI’s Cairo Campus. The initiative is funded entirely the UCE consortium.
