Message from the Dean of Faculty of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science

The British University in Egypt Business Administration Department

The Business Department at the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science, the British University in Egypt, is pursuing excellence in education within the modern global economy and particularly in post revolutionary Egypt. In the Department we try to ensure that students do not only learn the theory but see its relevance to contemporary society through application - the 'process of learning by doing' prepares them to achieve their full potential as business leaders and professionals. Students are taught, therefore, by experienced academics, many of whom have 'real life' professional backgrounds and skills. The content of the modules offered in the Business Administration degree is up-to-date, interesting and academically sound. This is to ensure that our students are equipped and ready for the labour market - whether as an employee or self employed.

This is the first report produced by the Business Department expressing our interest in and commitment to PRME as a higher education institution. We believe that the PRME’s six principles are essential for the development not only of the students and staff members, but also for society at large. We are looking forward to being part of this remarkable project.

Prof. Wadouda Badran Dean of the Faculty of of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science

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Background

1. The British University in Egypt The formation of a British University in Egypt arose from a 1998 Memorandum of Cooperation between the UK and the Egyptian Governments. It was envisaged that such an institution would produce graduates of UK standards for key sectors of the Egyptian economy, particularly in the areas of engineering, computer science and business studies. In 2004, with strong support from the British Embassy and the British Council, a Presidential decree was issued establishing the British University in Egypt. The initial phase of the University campus was already under construction and the University welcomed its first cohort (only 200 students) of undergraduate students in September 2005. The University has been supported by a high profile and influential Board of Trustees compromising individuals drawn from UK and Egyptian business, public life and educational sectors, while a group of UK universities, led by Loughborough University provided the academic direction, teaching and quality management processes thereby ensuring the 'British' quality of the education. And to achieve this, BUE recruited highly qualified British, Egyptian and international academics experienced in the British system of Higher Education staff members. BUE was established initially with three faculties: Engineering, Informatics and Computer Science; and Business Administration, Economics and Political Science. However, the number of faculties has increased and four new faculties were established, which are: Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and Communications and Mass Media.

VISION To become the leading broad spectrum teaching and research university in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) offering a British ethos of higher education with a range of UK partners and other global partners providing internationally recognized quality degrees that develop the knowledge and skills to help our students shape and lead their countries. MISSION To promote cultural, economic, social and technological development through the creation and dissemination of new knowledge via research and capable graduates, educated to the best UK academic standards, who are independent learners and well knowledgeable.

2. The Business Administration Department / Faculty of Business Studies, Economics and Political Science

The Faculty comprises three Academic Departments, Business Administration which offers a Bachelor of Business Studies Honours degree, Economics which offers a Bachelor of Science Honours degree and Political Science which offers a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree. The focus of the Faculty is to offer up-to-date degrees which have a solid theoretical base and a global as well as an area-specific outlook.

The Business Administration department’s mission is to be the leading provider of undergraduate management education in Egypt. In light of this mission, the a full-time programme of four years based on a British philosophy of education is offered to our students. This results in programme that is very much focused on the student rather than those who deliver the material. Graduates from UK programmes typically exhibit:  the ability to think creatively and solve problems;  high level key and transferable skill sets;  the ability to maintain independently a high level of professional and subject specific competence;  technical competence;  the ability to conceptualise problems at a high level (i.e. to see the big picture);  diligent and ethical working practices; and  the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Furthermore, this programme is delivered in both a local and UK context giving students the opportunity to gain an appreciation of national and international perspectives on many aspects of professional life. This includes management techniques, business culture, legal frameworks and standards. The Business administration programme offers 6 specialisations: Accounting and Finance; Human Resource Management; Marketing; Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, and International Business.

The Principles of Responsible Management Education The Business Department at the British University in Egypt (BUE) has been committed towards sustainability manifested by the introduction of Entrepreneurship and Sustainability as one of the main majors in the Department. Therefore, being part of the PRME is a continuation of the Department’s efforts. As the current report is the first one, thus it provides a brief overview the current status of the department and goals for the next 24 months based on the six PRME principles.

Principle 1 and Principle 2: PURPOSE and VALUES In order to develop the capabilities of our students in the area of sustainability, we empower them to assume their role as leaders within their society or globally, adopting and advocating the sustainable value. Our plan for the future is built on expanding the knowledge of sustainable value to increase its outreach and encourage the students to be more active in this area; thus upon their graduation they will be able to assess and analyze social, economic, environmental and sustainable issues on national and international levels. The British education system, adopted by the BUE, focuses on the development of students and equips them to think creatively and solve problems; hence its much in alignment with the PRME 1st and 2nd principles.

PRINCIPLE 3: METHOD Our program is delivered in both a local and UK context giving students the opportunity to gain an appreciation of national and international perspectives on many aspects of professional life. This includes management techniques, business culture, legal frameworks and standards. Sustainable value is one the cornerstones of our programme. Two cohorts have graduated since 2013 majoring in Entrepreneurship and Sustainability. While for other business majors, students are exposed to this value through the introduction of several modules (courses) that tackle directly the issue of sustainability, for example, Sustainable Development and Ethics and Social Responsibility, or indirectly, for example, International Business and Entrepreneurial Organizations. We also offer students a module (course) in Leadership and Interpersonal Skills that aims at preparing and increasing students’ potential as future leaders, where the issues of sustainable and ethical leadership are being tackled.

Another engagement of the Business Department with sustainable value is through supersizing students’ work in this area; especially the extra curriculum activities; for example, ENACTUS, which is an annual international completion that drives students to solve their society’s problems in the most sustainable way. As a future plan, we are aiming at attracting more students to specialize in Entrepreneurship and Sustainability; and / or increasing the number of students who are registered in modules

4 | P a g e The British University in Egypt Business Administration Department relevant to sustainability by introducing such modules as core rather than optional. Also encourage more students to participate in any extra curriculum activity that allows them to expand their capacity and knowledge in this area.

PRINCIPLE 4: RESEARCH Staff members of the Business Department at the BUE are engaged in research activities aiming at exploring the different social, economic and environmental sustainability issues at both local and global scales. For that purpose, the “Center for Innovation, Governance and Green Economy” has been established effective of July 1st, 2015 and it is expected to lead the research activities within the Department in that direction.

The staff members of the department are as well engaged with the students in research activities relevant to sustainable value through supervising their graduation projects that focus on green economy, sustainability and ethical behavior,

PRINCIPLE 5: PARTNERSHIP The Business Department is actively building ties and partnerships with the local and international key players to broaden the exposure and academic networks: 1. Partnership with Loughbrough University in UK. 2. Partnership with London South Bank University in UK. 3. Partnership with Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in USA. 4. Partnership with The Center for Global Enterprise - The Global Scholars Program. 5. Collaboration with Egyptian companies to provide support in their daily operations.

PRINCIPLE 6: DIALOGUE Staff members in the Business Department engaged in several local and international debates and conferences tackling different issues: 1. “The first annual Seminar on "Cloud Computing Policies for Socioeconomic Development”, organized by The Regional Academic Network on IT Policies (RANITP) – 2015. 2. “Towards Socially Responsible and Sustainable Management Education and Practice"; organized by the German University in Cairo - 2015

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