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Atta Gebril receiving award on stage

AUC Professor Atta Gebril Wins Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers

Atta Gebril, professor of applied linguistics and associate dean for graduate studies and research in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at The American University in Cairo (AUC), has won the prestigious Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers for his work in the area of applied linguistics. 

The Award for Arab Researchers, launched in 1982 by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, aims to support and highlight scientific research throughout the Arab world. The award also acknowledges outstanding scientific contributions that effectively distribute and disseminate knowledge, advancing scientific and applied knowledge and resolving challenges in high-priority local, regional and global areas.

Praised for its focused research agenda, international reputation and impactful publications, Gebril’s work focuses on second language assessment, particularly writing assessment, test validation, assessment literacy and reading-writing connections. His work is valuable and relevant to both applied linguistics researchers, language professionals and test developers. 

“I am really honored and humbled to win this prestigious research award. I am also deeply grateful to the Abdel Hameed Shoman Foundation and the selection committee for recognizing my contribution to the field of applied linguistics. I have to also acknowledge the enormous support I have received throughout the years from my research partners, mentors, and of course my family. Their support and encouragement have been instrumental throughout my research journey. Finally, this award motivates me to explore new areas for my research, to continue my commitment to excellence, and hopefully make a meaningful impact on my research trajectory,” said Gebril.

Gebril’s research has a broad impact, targeting participants from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and geographic locations. He has published as both a sole author and collaborator in top journals within his field, and has used a wide range of advanced quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Teaching courses on assessment in language assessment, thesis writing and research methods in applied linguistics, Gebril is a valuable member of the AUC community. He expressed how AUC has been instrumental in helping him work on his research projects and pursue his research agenda. “I found nothing but help and support from different AUC entities,” he added: “I couldn't have been able to achieve this without the excellent research environment at AUC. I am really proud to be part of the AUC community and always will be.”

Gebril received several awards in recognition of his work, including the Scopus award representing the highest-impact scholarship in the field of education in Egypt from Elsevier and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank in 2019 and the Best Article Award in the field of language Testing from the International Language Testing Association in 2018. 

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Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a leading English-language, American-accredited institution of higher education and center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions and study abroad programs. 

The University offers 39 undergraduate, 52 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world. 

An independent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.