Shaimaa ElBanna is the Director of Education at British
Council Egypt. In her role, she oversees the education
portfolio, encompassing higher education, transnational
education (TNE), science, international partnerships,
student recruitment and schools.
Shaimaa's career journey began as a dedicated researcher,
where she gained first-hand experience in development
initiatives and empowering marginalized segments of
society, with a particular focus on women and youth. With
over 20 years of experience in international portfolio
management, she has successfully led large-scale and
complex multimillion-dollar contracts and programs.
Prior to her current position, Shaimaa held several notable
roles. As the head of training at ADEW, she effectively
managed an EU-funded project on female empowerment.
She also played a key role in establishing the Women
Entrepreneurship and Leadership program at AUC in
partnership with Wharton University. Furthermore, Shaimaa
excelled as the Internship Program Manager, overseeing a
12-million-dollar USAID-funded project with Illinoi University.
Throughout her career, Shaimaa has contributed her
expertise as a technical consultant for esteemed
organizations such as UNDP, Save the Children, the Arab
League, and USAID. Her diverse background has equipped
her with a comprehensive understanding of the development
landscape.
Shaimaa's academic accomplishments further reflect her
dedication to excellence. She holds a BA in Political
Sciences from Cairo University, where she was honored with
an honorary degree. Additionally, she pursued a diploma in
Public Administration with a specific focus on transparency.
Shaimaa's commitment to academic growth led her to earn
a Master's degree with distinction in "Gender &
Development" from Cairo University and Sussex University.
Her thesis, titled "The Lived Experience of Women in STEM
Careers: An Analysis of the Egyptian Context," stands as a
testament to her expertise in the field.