On June 15, 2025, the British government awarded Dr.
Mohamed Lotfy the title of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing education on an international level.
When a distinguished son of this great nation is honored with such a prestigious international recognition from
the United Kingdom, we must pause—not only to congratulate him, but to reLlect on the inspiring story behind this moment. This time, the protagonist is Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, President of the British University in Egypt (BUE). And to me, he is more than a colleague or a friend—he is a son in whom I take great pride as I watch him lead, succeed, and make a real impact.
On the day Dr. Lotfy receives
this royal honor from Britain, I feel, as a friend and as someone who supported him, that this is more than a personal achievement. It is a testament to how a national vision can advance conLidently onto the global stage.
He is a man who has combined his deep-rooted identity with world-class academic professionalism, returning home to create meaningful change—and his journey is
unquestionably one worth telling.
Dr. Mohamed Lotfy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Alexandria University, as well as a PhD in Systems Thinking from the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom.
He began his academic journey as a faculty member at the
Graduate School of Alexandria University before moving to the UK, where he held multiple senior positions—including Vice President for International Affairs at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Senior Envoy at Coventry University. He also became the Lirst Egyptian- British academic to join the board of the Magna Charta Observatory in Bologna.
He has managed and overseen strategic alliances in over 25
countries, including high-level governmental projects between educational and industrial institutions.
Dr. Lotfy has served as an international advisor to higher education institutions in the UK, including the Leadership Foundation, and as Vice President of the Arab- European Leadership Network in Higher Education (ARELEN). He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University
of Sunderland in 2023 in recognition of his work in international education and university program development.
Dr. Lotfy believes that education must embrace critical thinking over rote memorization, and that universities should be platforms for creativity and for nurturing future leaders. Since taking ofLice as President of BUE, he has consistently
emphasized that achieving success abroad should empower excellence at home.
When I nominated him to lead the British University in Egypt, I was betting on his intellect and experience. I trusted in his ability to build an academic model that is both globally oriented and deeply rooted in Egypt—and he succeeded. He made me proud, and even prouder of his wife, Mrs. Heba, who stands by his side,
supports him, and uplifts him with strength and grace.
Since becoming BUE President in 2021, Dr. Lotfy has launched a new vision based on excellence, openness, and service to humanity. One of his quotes, which I deeply agree with, is:
“Human capital is a national treasure that must be invested in and exported… The university is a living entity
whose mission is to serve the surrounding community.” (From an interview with “Al- Masry Al-Youm”)
Thanks to this philosophy, the university has become a hub for social engagement, not just an academic institution. Under his leadership, BUE has initiated programs in sustainability, technology, and entrepreneurship. Partnerships with the public and private sectors have expanded,
blending academic knowledge with real-world application for the beneLit of both students and society.
Dr. Mohamed Lotfy’s journey is a remarkable one—built on scholarship, administrative excellence, and a vision that stretches from Alexandria to London, only to return decisively to the heart of Cairo.
Today, I am proud of Dr. Mohamed Lotfy—not only
because I witnessed his impactful and successful leadership, but because I see in him a model of what an academic leader should be: a thinker, a doer, and a true Egyptian who never forgets where he came from or where he wants to take his country.
Congratulations, Mohamed— from one honor to the next, from one achievement to another.
