Egypt’s Best Thanawiya Amma Performers Come to AUC
This fall, seven of Egypt's top 10 thanawiya amma students joined our student body. News@AUC met with six of these students, who shared their goals for their time at AUC as well as lifelong aspirations.
Mohamed Aboelfotouh, Math Section - Second Place
Where are you from?
I come from Alexandria, right on the Mediterranean!
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I’m a declared computer engineering student. I’ve always been impressed with the way computers work. I intend to study machine learning because I believe that understanding how AI works is crucial for future job opportunities.
Why AUC?
I chose AUC because it is a prestigious university with a great reputation. There are also many successful AUC alumni, and that’s definitely something to look up to.
What are your short-term goals?
I hope to make new, interesting friends and enjoy my time here. In the short term, I'm aiming to get a 4.0 GPA in my first semester because that would give me confidence in my abilities and boost my grades for the upcoming semesters.
What is your dream in life?
My main dream is to help make the world a better place and support people. I want to be one of the best experts in machine learning worldwide and contribute to designing many helpful programs.
Michael Ayad, Math Section - Second Place
Where are you from?
I am from Cairo. I was brought up in an Egyptian household and am grateful for the environment I was raised in.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am a declared computer engineering major. I have always been enthusiastic about fields of engineering, and I view computer engineering as the field of the future in the era of globalization and digitalization.
Why AUC?
Being at AUC is a whole different experience for me, and the opportunities for self-development and career advancement are tremendous. So I think it’s a huge opportunity to harness.
What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?
My dream is to help humanity in some way using the knowledge and experience I gain here at AUC. In the short term, I want to prioritize my success level throughout my University years, and hopefully I’ll be able to accomplish more achievements in the short term.
Ahmed Youssef, Math Section - Second Place
Where are you from?
I live a simple, quiet life in Obour City within Cairo.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am a declared electronics and communications engineering major. Studying electronics felt like a smart decision given the surge of AI technology, and electronics could be used to develop those tools. I also like to study modern topics, and electronics is relatively modern, to say the least.
Why AUC?
"I chose AUC because it felt like a place where I’d have to work to prove myself among a big group of outstanding people with great achievements. Its style and vision are also very attractive to me given the whole ‘liberal arts’ system of education and how it works on improving us as people as well as whatever we are specialized in.
What are your short-term goals?
I hope to adapt to the changes I’m currently experiencing, and to find stability and comfort in being a student. Then I could go on to participate in extracurricular activities to find community and improve myself.
What is your dream in life?
I hope to make a change and leave a print in this world, and continue to work on myself and develop as best as I can. I also hope to gain public attention by using my voice to talk about important topics and raise awareness of many issues, including the importance of mental health.
Mohammad Dawood, Math Section - Seventh Place
Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?
I am from El-Beheira governorate. I chose AUC because it’s the best in Egypt.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
My intended major is electronics and communications engineering. I chose this major because I feel comfortable doing semi-physical and semi-electronic jobs.
What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?
My dream is to lead a peaceful life away from any distractions and disturbances. In the short term, I want to get the highest GPA possible in my first semester.
Mohamed Hany Said Mohamed, Math Section - Seventh Place
Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?
I am from the Ismailia governorate. I chose AUC because of its commitment to high standards of teaching and its wide variety of programs.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am a declared computer engineering major, and I chose this field of study because it combines my passion for programming and problem solving with my love for physics, mathematics and engineering in general.
What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?
My dream is to benefit the world and mark my name in history. In the short-term, I hope to continue my academic success and take advantage of the opportunities that AUC presents to become a more well-rounded student.
Ali Ahmed Hassan, Math Section - Seventh Place
Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?
I come from Ismailia and I came to AUC because it provides us with many opportunities and has advantages that no other university does.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
My declared major is computer engineering because I love everything that has to do with computers!
What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?
My ultimate dream is to make my parents proud. In the short term, I hope to become more fit.