The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program

Do you dream of studying in one of the prestigious universities in the United States but do not have the funding? Your dream can be a reality with the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program for the academic year 2008-09.



The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program (ORASCOM Construction Industries through the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development) will provide full tuition scholarships for Egyptian students seeking to pursue their master’s degrees at top U.S. universities in fields that contribute to the economic prosperity of Egypt. Successful candidates may pursue their studies only in the following fields: Business Administration and Construction Management.



The Onsi Sawiris scholarships will be awarded based on character and merit as demonstrated through academic excellence, extracurricular activities and entrepreneurial initiative. In addition to full tuition, the scholarship award will cover living, travel and health insurance expenses.



Applicants need to:

Fulfill the test and documentation requirements of the scholarship program

Be Egyptian nationals, who are resident of Egypt (preference will be given to non-holders of dual nationality)

Be planning on pursuing their master’s degree in one of the top five universities in the United States in the field of Business Administration or Construction Management

Be prepared to depart for study in the United States in the academic year 2008

Be committed to coming back to Egypt for two years upon the completion of their master’s degree program

Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5/4.0 or Very Good (overall grade)

Have been involved or currently involved in extra-curricular activities. (applicants should be able to provide proof of participation in extra-curricular activities when required)

What are the tests and minimum test scores required for the scholarship program?

All applicants must take and submit the score of the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Computer-based test or Internet-based Test (iBT)

Applicants interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration must take and submit the score of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Applicants interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Construction Management must take and submit the score of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)



Minimum scores required:

TOEFL CBT : 250 or above

TOEFL iBT : 100 or above

GMAT : 650 or above

GRE : 1000 or above (in the Verbal & Quantitative sections) & 4.5 or above (in the Analytical section of the exam)



If you meet the eligibility criteria, please download an application form at http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/advising/cairo/news/Orascom06-07.pdf and submit the application and documents required to the AMIDEAST office in Cairo at the following address: 23 Mossadak Street, Dokki, Giza.



You can also apply and submit the application on-line at www.amideast.org.

The application deadline is June 15, 2007.



For inquiries about the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program 2008-09, please contact Ms. Yasmien Micheal at the following e-mail address: ymicheal@amideast.org or telephone number: (02) 332 0434.





About Mr. Onsi Sawiris



Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) traces its roots back to 1950 when Eng. Onsi Sawiris first founded a construction company with a few friends in Upper Egypt. By digging waterways and paving roads, he built his business into one of Egypt's largest general contractors. In 1961, the business was nationalized under President Nasser and later became known as the El Nasr Civil Works Company. Not content to be an employee in his own company, Eng. Sawiris left for Libya where he continued his construction career. In 1976, he returned to Egypt and founded Orascom as a general contracting and trading company with five employees. By the early 1990s, Eng. Sawiris had established Orascom as a leading private sector contractor by working in partnership with international companies pursuing projects in Egypt. Today, Orascom Construction Industries continues to blend international technical know-how with local resources to undertake even larger, more complex and demanding projects.