This is what it takes to launch The Creative School campus in Cairo
With the launch of The Creative School Cairo quickly approaching, 15 staff and faculty have relocated to Egypt from Toronto to begin teaching classes, and are ready to provide students in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region with The Creative School experience. After years of planning and development, the doors are finally ready to open.
Exploring Giza. Image courtesy Michael Carter via twitter @mcarterSKW
As in Toronto, students of The Creative School Cairo will learn and engage with their desired programs, delivered with the exact same academic standard of excellence as if they were in Canada
When the world shut down due to COVID-19 and resources were limited, the team was just getting started. In Toronto, The Creative School team, led by Dean Falzon, continued launch efforts while Interim Executive Director and Head of School Michael Carter, Program Lead of Media Production and Sport Media Stefan Grambart, Manager of International Development Sadia Kamran and Fashion Program Lead Audrey Colphon-Reynolds landed in Cairo ready to bring The Creative School campus to life.
“Within two years and right at the beginning of the pandemic, our team at Ryerson helped to develop not only a brand new, six-story, state-of-the-art facility, but the operational implementation of Media Production, Sports Media and Fashion programs within Cairo as well,” Carter said. “As in Toronto, students of The Creative School Cairo will learn and engage with their desired programs, delivered with the exact same academic standard of excellence as if they were in Canada.”
An inside look of the Cairo campus building and facilities. Courtesy of Michael Carter
The Cairo campus has state-of-the-art facilities. Courtesy of Michael Carter
Experiencing Cairo
From exploring the Great Pyramid of Giza and visiting the new Grand Egyptian Museum to experiencing the busy Cairo traffic and the sleeping dogs of Alexandria, the Cairo faculty and staff wasted no time in experiencing all Cairo has to offer.
Photo courtesy of Michael Carter
Photo courtesy of Michael Carter
Amongst all the tourist attractions they saw, the Great Pyramid of Giza was one of the many sights that The Creative School staff and faculty were able to experience in Cairo with Egyptian locals. Photo courtesy of Michael Carter
A global partnership comes with nuances that are unique to the local experience. However, The Creative School staff immersed themselves with the locals, working together to achieve their common goal.
“Making real-life connections with our local partners and colleagues was the highlight of Cairo,” Kamran said. “Although the operating style is completely different, one of the best parts of a global partnership is understanding each other’s strengths and differences and ultimately leaning on each other's strengths.”
The Creative School leadership and teaching team at a group dinner in Cairo
The Creative School Cairo and select FEAS leadership, teaching team and staff
Located in a cultural and creatively innovative hub, students of the Cairo Campus will benefit from new global perspectives, opportunities and support to lead the future of creativity.
“We’re looking to bring The Creative School experience to students in Egypt, but that means doing a lot more than simply transplanting our existing curriculum. Cairo has a long and richhistory that we want to ensure is reflected in what we teach,” Grambart said. “Working within this cultural context, our studios will provide students the chance to train with both current and emerging technologies, setting them up for careers in Cairo—the region’s media capital—and the cultural city of the future.”
The Creative School experience in Cairo
The Creative School has worked with the university’s host partner, the Universities of Canada in Egypt, since the inception of the Cairo campus nearly five years ago. Over the last two years, the staff on the ground in Cairo, as well as those in Toronto, have built a strong team and foundation for The Creative School in Cairo.
Universities of Canada in Egypt staff ready and excited to welcome students. Image courtesy of Universities of Canada via Twitter @UofCanada
In addition to receiving a high quality Canadian education, The Creative School Cairo will allow students in the MENA region to gain skills in critical thinking, innovation and creative leadership.
Students of the Cairo Campus will benefit from new global perspectives of creativity and innovation. Courtesy of Michael Carter
“The Creative School is a global centre of media and creative invention, and we are proud to offer in Egypt our globally respected programs and innovative education in media and creative industries,” says Dean of The Creative School Charles Falzon. “The Creative School in Cairo will be equally innovative and dynamic, offering a highly impactful international education that is ideal for innovative and ambitious students in the region who aspire to be future leaders at home and globally.”
The Creative School Cairo Campus building
The Creative School at Ryerson University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.