President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday inaugurated the new campus of Senghor University in New Borg El Arab, Alexandria.
Université Senghor is a French-language international institution dedicated to supporting development in Africa through graduate education, professional training, and research.
With the inauguration placing renewed spotlight on the institution, many prospective students may be wondering what Senghor University offers, how it operates, and why it has become one of the prominent French-language academic institutions focused on African development.
History
Senghor University was established by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of French-speaking countries during the Dakar Summit in May 1989 as part of an ambitious initiative to create a francophone university dedicated to African development.
The institution officially opened in Alexandria in 1990 with a mission centered on preparing highly qualified African professionals capable of contributing to sustainable development across the continent.
The university bears the name of Léopold Sédar Senghor, one of the leading figures of the Francophonie movement and the former president of Senegal, who played a major role in promoting French-speaking cultural identity worldwide.
Senghor University was originally headquartered in Alexandria’s Mansheya district before relocating to its new campus in New Borg El Arab.
Its statutes and governance framework are based on founding agreements that emphasize the university’s academic independence and development-oriented mission.
Mission and International Presence
For more than 35 years, Senghor University has focused on training professionals, researchers, and public-sector leaders capable of supporting sustainable development efforts in Africa and Haiti.
The university is backed by several donor countries and institutions, including Egypt, France, Switzerland, and the French Community of Belgium.
While headquartered in Alexandria, Senghor University also operates through a broad international academic network across the francophone world.
Its external campuses and partner locations are present in Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Morocco, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Hungary, DR Congo, and Madagascar.
What Does the University Offer?
Senghor University offers graduate and professional programs focused on key sectors linked to African development.
According to the university, its degrees are internationally recognized and many of its more than 4,200 graduates now hold leadership and professional positions across Africa.
The university highlights several advantages for prospective students, including scholarship opportunities for eligible students
Academic Programs
Master’s degrees
The university offers two-year professional master’s programs through five main departments:
– Culture
– Management
– Environment
– Health
– Political Science
The programs include specializations in areas such as cultural heritage, project management, biodiversity, public health, and governance.
Doctoral programs
Senghor University also operates a doctoral school focused on advanced academic research related to development issues.
University diplomas
The institution provides short professional diploma programs and certifying courses aimed at professionals seeking specialized training.
Certifications and Continuing Education
The university additionally offers continuing education and professional development programs designed to support lifelong learning and workforce training.
How to Join
Applicants seeking admission to Senghor University are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a minimum of one year of professional experience.
Candidates applying for scholarships must also be no older than 36 years old.
Admission is based on a competitive selection process that includes an evaluation of the applicant’s file, a written examination, and an oral interview.
The university admits around 100 scholarship students in each intake, with annual administration fees set at €400.
Senghor University also accepts around 50 non-scholarship students in the first year of the master’s program and an additional 40 students in the second year, with annual tuition fees of €3,700.
Non-scholarship students receive the same academic services and benefits offered to scholarship recipients, in line with the principle of equal opportunity throughout their studies.
A Francophone University in Alexandria
Over the years, Senghor University has become one of Alexandria’s most internationally connected academic institutions, attracting students from across Africa and the francophone world.
Its presence in Egypt reflects the country’s longstanding cultural and educational ties with African and French-speaking nations, while also positioning Alexandria as a regional hub for international higher education and development studies.