Center of Excellence for Energy Inspires Egyptian Student’s Renewable Energy Aspirations

As a junior energy and renewable energy engineering student at Ain Shams University, Mohamed Ramzy is already setting ambitious goals for his future. “My goals for myself include pursuing a master’s degree and landing a job at one of Egypt’s large electrical companies,” he says. Ramzy’s path is particularly compelling because the USAID-supported Center of Excellence for Energy (COE/E) exchange program impacted him even before he participated. He explains, “I saw the exchange opportunity before I chose my major, and it was the reason I decided to select energy and renewable energy engineering as my field of study.” This decision sparked a year-long preparation process, where he worked diligently to meet the program’s requirements, including boosting his GPA and engaging in energy-related activities.

For many students, studying abroad can be a daunting experience, but for Ramzy, spending a semester at Arizona State University (ASU) turned out to be an opportunity for personal and professional growth. “At first, I was nervous about the idea of traveling alone, but it turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve myself,” he reflects. He credits the program with developing his life skills, particularly independence and curiosity. “I learned a lot of new things like being curious, being social, exploring new places, and enjoying learning new things.”

One of the most profound lessons he took away from the program was the role of inquisitiveness in learning and evolving. “The biggest thing I learned from my professors at ASU was that there’s no question that is considered irrelevant. Every question is respected,” Ramzy says. This open-minded approach to learning is something he believes will stay with him throughout his career.

Reflecting on his courses at ASU, Ramzy mentions two that stood out for him: Energy Systems and Power Electronics with Professor Mike Ranjram and Energy Transitions with Professor Clark Miller. “Energy Systems and Power Electronics was a large course, but it deepened my understanding of energy systems and their potential applications in Egypt,” he explains. But it was Professor Miller’s class on Energy Transitions that made an indelible impact. “It was a subject that I’m sure I will never learn elsewhere,” he notes, calling it an invaluable addition to his education.

According to Ramzy, what made Professor Ranjram’s class particularly effective was his focus on practical applications. “He has this approach of joining the educational part with the actual market,” Ramzy says. Professor Ranjram designed his course based on insights from industry leaders at companies like General Electric, Tesla, and Lucid. “He taught us what is required from an electrical engineer, what knowledge is needed in electrical machinery to be impactful out in the real world.”

The exchange program also broadened Ramzy’s career aspirations. “My ultimate goal was to just work in renewable energy,” he expresses. “My time there allowed me to explore various areas, like power electronics, which is booming now. I could also make an impact politically in Egypt’s energy transition.”

Ramzy is already thinking about the challenges Egypt faces in its energy sector and how he can contribute to solving them. “One of the major energy challenges in Egypt is that though we have a large installed capacity of power plants, they’re no longer efficient,” he says. His coursework and experiences, particularly in energy transitioning, have equipped him with skills he hopes to apply in Egypt’s energy sector.

Beyond his experience at ASU, Ramzy’s internship with Halliburton, facilitated through the COE/E 2024 Summer Internship Program, has provided him with hands-on industry experience. “I gained experience in essential areas of the oil and gas industry,” he notes, listing business development, safety standards, and well-completion procedures as just some of the areas he explored. “I’m grateful to the engineers who mentored me and for the overall practical experience,” he adds, crediting the Center for enabling this opportunity.

Ramzy encourages other students to take advantage of similar opportunities by getting involved with COE/E. “If you have the chance to join such programs, go for it,” he says. “It will surely change your views of many things.” His own trajectory from a timid exchange student to an aspiring energy leader illustrates the far-reaching impact of such U.S.-supported programs—affecting professional paths and broadening perspectives in unexpected ways.