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UCC Renews Cooperation Agreement with Future University in Egypt (FUE) for the Pharmacy Degree Programme
The official ceremony marking the renewal of the Cooperation Agreement between University College Cork (UCC) and Future University in Egypt (FUE) took place at FUE on 22nd September 2025. A UCC team including Professor John O’Halloran, Professor Brendan Griffin, Head of School of Pharmacy UCC, visited Future University in Egypt for the official signing of the renewal agreement.
The official ceremony was hosted by Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in Egypt. Under this renewed partnership agreement, UCC’s School of Pharmacy will continue to collaborate with FUE’s Faculty of Pharmacy to support the delivery of an enhanced Pharmacy degree programme in Egypt.
The renewed cooperation agreement between UCC and FUE aims to strengthen the teaching and learning experience for students enrolled in the FUE Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Through this partnership, UCC’s School of Pharmacy provides academic mentorship and supports the delivery of an enriched curriculum, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration between faculty members at both institutions. Originally signed in 2014, the agreement has facilitated over a decade of joint efforts to elevate the academic standards of the Pharmacy degree at FUE. This renewal underscores UCC’s enduring commitment to international collaboration and its dedication to advancing education, training, and scientific research on a global scale.
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education highlighted the significant development that Egypt’s higher education system has witnessed in recent years. He stressed that the internationalization of education in Egypt aims to expand learning opportunities for students, enhance academic and research quality, and deliver tangible societal benefits. He affirmed that Egypt is steadily moving forward to become a leading regional educational hub and a destination of choice for students seeking high-quality education in the Arab region, Africa, and the Middle East.
Professor John O’Halloran also participated at the graduation ceremony at FUE on 23rd September, celebrating the latest cohort of Pharmacy degree graduates. Invited as an honorary speaker at the graduation, Professor O’Halloran acknowledged UCC’s significant role in enhancing the quality of the Pharmacy programme delivered at FUE. In his address to the graduates, he emphasized the value of international academic collaboration, highlighting its impact on enriching student learning, promoting best practices in curriculum development, and improving graduate employability. He congratulated the students on their achievements and commended the dedicated efforts of faculty members at both FUE and UCC who jointly developed and delivered the enhanced Pharmacy curriculum.
Professor O’Halloran gave special recognition to the staff of UCC’s School of Pharmacy for their pivotal role in the success of this partnership. He also extended his gratitude to Thomas Bellew, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Egypt, for attending the ceremony and acknowledged the Embassy’s ongoing support in promoting UCC programmes in Egypt.
UCC staff attending the official signing ceremony of the renewal of the FUE-UCC cooperation agreement. Pictured: (Left to right) Professor Kamal Sabra, Adjunct Professor, School of Pharmacy, UCC; Professor Ebada Sarhan, President of FUE; Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Egypt, Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC, Professor Michael Murphy, Chancellor, National University of Ireland & Past President of UCC.
Pictured L-R: Prof Michael Murphy, Prof Kamal Sabra, Prof Ebada Sarhan, Prof John O'Halloran, Prof Brendan Griffin