Cairo University is the second oldest Egyptian and Arab university after Al-Azhar University. Its faculties were founded in the reign of Muhammad Ali, such as the College of Engineering established in about 1820 and the Medical School founded in about 1927.  They were closed during the reign of Khedive Muhammed Said in 1850 after a widespread popular campaign demanding establishment of a modern university under the leadership of Mostafa Kamel and others. This university was founded on 21 December 1908 and named the Egyptian University despite the opposition of the British occupation authority led by Lord Cromer. It was later renamed ‘Fouad I University,’ then ‘Cairo University’ after the Revolution of 23 July 1952. It includes a large number of colleges.

It is worth mentioning that Princess Fatima, daughter of Khedive Ismail, was told by her doctor that the new university was experiencing a number of financial difficulties. She donated her jewelry to help fund the construction and also donated land.  She contributed another parcel of land consisting of six acres, in trust, to provide additional income for the university. This land generated 4,000 Egyptian pounds annually to help cover the running costs of the first modern public university, now.

Known as the University of Cairo. The princess was a great personality in her time, interested in public affairs and national issues. Her interests were not restricted to the establishment of mosques, as was usually the case with women of that time. Princess Fatima announced that all other construction costs would be fully financed by her, and this was estimated at 26,000 Egyptian pounds.

She presented her jewelry for sale and commissioned the university administration to sell it in accordance with the interests of the university. When they tried to sell the jewels, they were unsuccessful in selling them in Egypt. They took a decision to sell them abroad, and entrusted Dr. Mohamed Alawi Pasha to sell the jewels in Europe. He succeeded in selling them for 70,000 Egyptian pounds.

A ceremony was held in the presence of princes and dignitaries, senior clergy of Egypt, scholars, and the Sheikh of Al-Azhar University, on Monday, 31 March   1914.

In the twentieth century, the Egyptian University became a scientific beacon in the East and became a role model for the rest of the Arab countries. The existence of Cairo University is the result of the generosity of Her Highness Princess Fatima Ismail.