AUC’s Board of Trustees Votes Unanimously To Reappoint President Dallal For A Second Term

Cairo, April 23, 2026 - The American University in Cairo's (AUC) Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to reappoint President Ahmad Dallal to a second five-year term. "This decision reflects our strong confidence in President Dallal's vision, performance and steadfast commitment to AUC's mission," said Board of Trustees Chair Mark Turnage. Turnage noted that over the course of Dallal’s first term, AUC advanced academic excellence in teaching, research and interdisciplinary programs; expanded global partnerships and international access; strengthened student support and the overall campus experience; and reinforced the University's service to Egypt and its standing in the region and beyond. This year, the University also marked a record-high number of student applications, an extraordinary milestone that reflects growing confidence in the quality of its academic programs, faculty excellence and student experience. 

During his first term, President Dallal articulated a strategic vision through an ambitious campus development initiative centered on three landmark projects set to transform AUC’s New Cairo campus. These include the Technology, Research and Innovation Lab (TRI-Lab), which will foster interdisciplinary research and innovation while bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application; the Extended Education Hub, designed to prepare Egypt’s and the region’s workforce for the future of work; and the NextGen Student Living and Learning Spaces, featuring modern residential facilities that cultivate a strong sense of community and academic excellence, while giving students from across Egypt and the region the opportunity to live, learn, and thrive on campus. 

President Dallal’s tenure was defined by a bold strategic vision for AUC’s future. Under his leadership, the University developed a comprehensive strategic roadmap built around key pillars including academic excellence and future readiness, an outstanding campus and student experience, active civic engagement, and the continued expansion of its influential global alumni network.

Turnage noted that the University successfully navigated a period of economic uncertainty, regional conflict and successive currency devaluations. “Dallal provided steady and disciplined leadership that prioritized our students, staff members and faculty members, while safeguarding the University's financial stability. Under his leadership, the University not only weathered these pressures but emerged more resilient and better positioned for the future."

President Dallal, who began his current term in 2021 as AUC’s 13th president, is a distinguished academic leader and internationally recognized scholar with extensive experience in higher education in both the United States and the region. He previously served as dean of Georgetown University in Qatar and as provost of the American University of Beirut, and has taught at leading institutions including Stanford University, Yale University, Smith College, and Georgetown University. A prominent scholar in Islamic studies, his work focuses on Islamic intellectual history and the development of sciences in medieval and early modern Islamic societies. Originally trained as an engineer, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut and graduate degrees in Islamic studies from Columbia University.