Who We Are
PLUS Egypt is the official alumni association for Egyptian recipients of the U.S. Department of State’s Partnerships for Learning Undergraduate Studies (PLUS) scholarship program. Established under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, the organization unites a select group of Egyptian Fulbright scholars and exchange alumni who completed undergraduate studies in the United States through the PLUS initiative. The PLUS Program was created by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs to identify and support academically talented students from the Middle East and North Africa who exhibit outstanding leadership potential in contributing to the economic, political, and social development of their region govinfo.gov.
As PLUS alumni, we carry forward that mission – we are entrepreneurs, professionals, and changemakers leveraging our U.S.-gained education and global perspectives to drive positive change in Egypt. Our community prides itself on diversity and excellence.
Members of PLUS Egypt include award-winning scholars and emerging leaders across a range of fields. Many have earned prestigious international scholarships – such as Fulbright, Chevening, and the BP Cambridge Scholarship – programs known for selecting individuals with exceptional leadership potential and academic achievement. Collectively, our alumni have attained top academic honors (including Phi Beta Kappa distinction and summa cum laude graduations) and have been recognized by the U.S. Department of State for serving as cultural ambassadors who foster mutual understanding. We carry this legacy of excellence and service into our activities as a credible, alumni-driven association closely connected with U.S.-Egypt educational and cultural exchange efforts.
Leadership
PLUS Egypt is led by an executive council of dedicated alumni, elected by the membership to guide the network’s strategy and programs. At the helm is our President, Dr. Osama Wahba, whose election was formally acknowledged by the U.S. State Department as an example of alumni leadership in action. Dr. Wahba exemplifies the caliber of our community. A Fulbright PLUS scholar and Chevening alumnus, he earned a summa cum laude undergraduate degree in the United States (University of South Carolina) and went on to obtain his M.Phil. and Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge. In his professional life, he has distinguished himself as one of Egypt’s leading entrepreneurs, known for modernizing traditional, underserved industries and scaling them into structured, sustainable businesses. Notably, he founded innovative ventures that transformed local trades (such as tailoring, cobbling, and furniture restoration) into nationwide franchises – launching numerous branches and creating hundreds of skilled jobs within a decade.
Dr. Wahba also brings significant public service and policy experience. Following Egypt’s 2011 revolution, he was handpicked to join the T20 policy group – an elite presidential advisory council tasked with crafting Egypt’s post-revolution economic recovery and long-term development strategies. In this capacity he contributed to high-impact initiatives like the “White Book” (a comprehensive economic reform blueprint) and the Egypt Vision 2030 agenda, earning a reputation among peers as a policy architect and thought leader in national strategy formulation. Under Osama Wahba’s leadership, PLUS Egypt has expanded its reach and programming, leveraging his unique blend of entrepreneurial success and public-sector insight. He has forged partnerships with key institutions and inspired fellow alumni to engage in initiatives of national importance. His accomplishments, and by extension PLUS Egypt’s innovative work, have been highlighted in prominent media outlets such as Egypt Today magazine and Rose al-Youssef, underscoring the association’s influence in business and civic innovation.
Supporting Dr. Wahba is a team of vice presidents, committee chairs, and advisors drawn from our alumni ranks. This broader leadership team includes professionals in education, business, technology, and public policy. Together, they ensure that PLUS Egypt’s activities stay true to our mission and that every member has an opportunity to contribute. All leaders serve on a volunteer basis, reflecting the deep commitment of PLUS alumni to giving back. Through transparent governance and a shared passion for service, the PLUS Egypt leadership maintains the organization’s credibility and drives its continued success as a model alumni network.