Research Centers
Research Centre For Irish Studies
About RCIS
Research Centre for Irish Studies (RCIS) is a campus-based research centre established in October 2020 which aims to foster, promote and disseminate research related to all matters Irish in Social Sciences, Culture, the Arts and the Humanities.
International partnerships and networking are key objectives in order to stimulate international collaboration on Irish studies between students, scholars, industry, and centres interested in Ireland and Irish matters in Egypt, the Middle East and Africa.
RCIS further seeks to promote Irish culture and artistic interest in a broader sense for a wide variety of audiences.
Establishing BUE RCIS
How it Started
An initial idea about establishing a centre for Irish Studies in the region was discussed in April 2020 (right in the middle of the pandemic when the whole world was shutting down) with the Former Embassy of Ireland in Egypt. H. E. Ambassador Seán O’Regan provided data and feedback that were encouraging to pursue the idea. A proposal and budget were submitted by Dr Rania M Rafik Khalil to The British University in Egypt's Vice President for Research and Postgraduate Office for scrutiny by the relevant university committees in July 2020.
How it Took Off
The British University in Egypt's Board approved the proposal and budget of the Research Centre for Irish Studies in October 2020. A Decree was issued by the President of The University to that effect. Dr. Rania M Rafik Khalil was appointed as Acting Director for the BUE Research Centre for Irish Studies (BUE RCIS).
Embassy of Ireland in Egypt
Professor Yehia Bahei-El-Din, Vice President for Research and Postgraduate Studies at the BUE, extended an invitation to H.E. Mr Seán O’Regan, Former Irish Ambassador to Egypt and Mr Cathal O’Hagan, Second Secretary/Consul to the Embassy of Ireland in Egypt to visit The British University in Egypt in order to discuss the possibilities of collaboration with the newly established Research Centre for Irish Studies at The British University in Egypt. The collaboration between the University and the Embassy of Ireland in Egypt started in 2018 has led to a number of successful achievements:
A fund of 800 Euros was obtained from the Cultural Outreach Program of the Irish Embassy in Cairo in July 2021.
A grant of 3,000 Euros from Culture Ireland in Dublin was obtained by the British University in Egypt in 2020.
An international theatre adaptation of James Joyce’s Dubliners Women was performed by WitchWork Theatre Company Dublin at The British University in Egypt in February 2020.
A fund of 1,700 Euros from the Embassy of Ireland was obtained by BUE in 2019.
In March 2018 the BUE hosted Traditional Irish Musicians and Folklore Dancers.
H.E. Ambassador Seán O’Regan and Mr Cathal O’Hagan visited our campus on November 26, 2020; they met with Professor Yehia Bahei-El Din, Vice President for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Professor Leslie Croxford, Vice President for Teaching and Learning, and Dr Rania Mohamed Rafik Khalil in order to discuss the future prospects of collaboratively supporting the newly established BUE Research Centre for Irish Studies (RCIS).
Why Ireland
Ireland’s commitment to becoming a global innovation leader, its reputation as a world leader in scientific research, its rich cultural and literary heritage, and its increasing diplomatic influence make it an exceptional partner for collaboration.
What Makes Us Distinct
BUE Research Centre for Irish Studies (RCIS) is the only one of its kind in Egypt, Africa, and the Middle East. BUE RCIS aspires to become a hub for all matters Irish and Anglo-Irish.
