Provost

Ehab Abdel-Rahman

Provost Ehab Abdel-Rahman received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics from Helwan University. He then traveled to earn his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Utah, where he previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral fellow. Before coming to AUC, Abdel-Rahman worked as an Assistant Professor of Physics at Helwan University.

Abdel-Rahman first joined AUC as an Assistant Professor of Physics in 2006. He became Chair of the Department of Physics four years later. Eventually, He took on roles as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in the School of Sciences and Engineering and Director of the Yousef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center in 2011.

In 2013, Abdel-Rahman joined AUC’s senior administration. He became Associate Provost for Research while continuing to head the Yousef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center. Three years later, he became Vice Provost before serving as Interim Provost in early 2017. Abdel-Rahman was appointed AUC Provost in June 2017.

Aside from his administrative duties and teaching experience, Abdel-Rahman has extensive research expertise in thermoacoustics and photonics. Throughout his 17-year-long career in thermoacoustics, solar energy, materials, and photonics research, he has published more than 80 technical papers and reports and has acquired five U.S. patents. From 2007 to 2009, he served as Egypt’s energy expert, using his rich knowledge and experience to aid the country in its research collaborations with the European Union. Among his distinctive achievements are the development of high efficiency, innovative and simple power block for concentrated solar power, and self-tuned and photonics-based energy-saving glass windows. Abdel-Rahman has founded technology transfer offices at four Egyptian universities and has authored and managed several European Union and international projects. In 2021, Abdelrahman was appointed by the Prime Minister as a member of The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) board of trustees

Honoring Abdel-Rahman for his achievements, AUC granted him numerous awards, including the Research Innovation Award (2007, 2009), Excellence in Teaching Award (2009), Innovative Teaching Award (2010), and President’s Distinguished Service Award (2010). He has also received the Outstanding Service Award for his contributions in establishing the University’s Technology Transfer Office (2011) and the Provost’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his “prolific writing and dedication to education” (2012).

Academic Initiatives

In the summer of 2017, the Provost established a task force on the quality of undergraduate education at AUC to offer a solution that would enhance and improve good teaching across various departments, as well as address other impediments to our students' learning experience.

Accreditation

AUC operates within the framework of a 1975 protocol with the Egyptian government, which in turn is based on a 1962 cultural relations agreement between the Egyptian and U.S. governments.

Office of the Provost

The Office of the Provost supports AUC's academic mission. While the provost is responsible for academic, faculty, and student affairs, the office focuses on academic and faculty issues, the office of the Dean of Students is the main office responsible for non-academic student affairs.