AUC Receives Single Largest Gift in its History to the School of Business

December 2, 2024

AUC received the single largest philanthropic gift in the institution’s history to support excellence in business education, interdisciplinary research and exchange programs with leading American universities. In appreciation and recognition of this transformative gift from the Sawiris family, the University will name its business school the Onsi Sawiris School of Business in perpetuity.

The name honors the exceptional personal and professional legacy of the late Onsi Sawiris, a titan of business in the Middle East, founder of the Orascom Group and patriarch of the family. “With this visionary gift, AUC’s business school will continue to be at the forefront of global business education in the Middle East,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “The Onsi Sawiris School of Business is another legacy of Sawiris family philanthropy that has done so much to promote education and development in Egypt for decades. Thanks to their generous support, our students will have an unparalleled, globally relevant educational experience.”

This gift is made possible through the generosity of the NNS Foundation, the Naguib Sawiris Charitable Fund, Naguib Samih Sawiris, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Orascom Construction. It will provide funding for scholarships, research and a professorship in artificial intelligence/data science, combined with visiting faculty and student exchange programs with leading U.S. universities, including the University of Chicago. The gift has an estimated value of more than $30 million.

“The Onsi Sawiris School of Business is another legacy of Sawiris family philanthropy that has done so much to promote education and development in Egypt for decades. Thanks to their generous support, our students will have an unparalleled, globally relevant educational experience.”

“By supporting AUC and exchange programs with top universities in the United States, we are bringing exceptional students together to benefit from intellectually rigorous and truly global programs,” said Nassef Sawiris, executive chair of OCI Global. “Preparing future business leaders at AUC with the skills to adapt and innovate is the best way to honor our father’s work ethic, values and commitment to advancing Egypt.”

“Our parents instilled in us the value of education and opening doors that create opportunities for youth to excel,” said Naguib Sawiris, executive chairman of Orascom Investment Holding. “Graduates of AUC play a key role in our companies, and many of them are in leadership positions. This school will build the capacity of future generations for our businesses, our communities and our country.”

“Preparing future business leaders at AUC with the skills to adapt and innovate is the best way to honor our father’s work ethic, values and commitment to advancing Egypt.”

“Onsi Sawiris’s legacy will remain a lasting inspiration for us to continue to invest in Egypt’s most valuable resource: its human capital,” said Naguib Samih Sawiris, chairman of Orascom Development Holding AG.

In 1947, AUC began offering its first economics courses. Today, the School of Business is the only triple-crown-accredited in the region, placing it in the top 1% of business schools in the world.

“This gift is one of the many examples of impactful philanthropy from the Sawiris family. It reinforces AUC’s position as an institution that produces global-ready graduates with the career and life skills to make a positive difference in their communities and around the world.”

“This is a landmark development in the school’s history, and we look forward to a new chapter where we continue to raise the bar as a destination for business education,” said Sherif Kamel '88, '90, '13, dean of the School of Business. “I am confident that this gift, the academic exchanges and collaboration with faculty of leading American universities will ensure the Onsi Sawiris School of Business is at the forefront of global business education and on par with the best in the world.”

“Graduates of AUC play a key role in our companies, and many of them are in leadership positions. This school will build the capacity of future generations for our businesses, our communities and our country.”

Chairman of the AUC’s Board of Trustees Mark Turnage (ALU '82) said, “This gift is one of the many examples of impactful philanthropy from the Sawiris family. It reinforces AUC’s position as an institution that produces global-ready graduates with the career and life skills to make a positive difference in their communities and around the world.”

“This is a landmark development in the school’s history, and we look forward to a new chapter where we continue to raise the bar as a destination for business education,”

The Sawiris family is a long-time friend of AUC. The wife of Onsi Sawiris, Yousriya Loza Sawiris, is an honorary doctor of AUC and an alumna (MBA ’82), former member of the Egyptian Parliament, businesswoman and philanthropist. Over the years, the family has supported scholarships for students from Upper Egypt, students with disabilities, women’s empowerment and the renovation of AUC’s historic Tahrir Square campus.

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Microsoft: “AI Democratization Will Continue to Expand”

Dalia Al Nimr

December 2, 2024

At the forefront of the global conversation on the future of AI in higher ed, AUC engaged in discussions with a Microsoft leadership team on campus about “Shaping the Future with Responsibility.” News@AUC spoke with Amr ElMasry, education lead at Microsoft North Africa, to learn about advancing the future of higher ed with AI.

How can universities and students adopt AI responsibly?

Instilling a strong understanding of ethical AI principles in their curricula
Implementing guidelines that ensure fairness, privacy and accountability around AI usage
Providing access to the right tools, platforms and resources.
Staying updated on the latest AI advancements and ethical implications

Universities can partner with technology leaders like Microsoft to help foster a responsible AI ecosystem that encourages innovation while also maintaining the highest standards of safety and security.

What trends do you see shaping the future of AI in the next five years?

Generative AI will revolutionize industries by enabling personalized learning experiences, creative problem-solving tools and advanced content generation.
AI-powered automation will streamline tasks, allowing educators and students to focus on higher-level thinking and creativity.
The integration of AI with real-time data analytics will enhance decision making across sectors, supporting adaptive learning systems in education.
A growing emphasis on responsible AI practices, with regulatory frameworks and standards becoming more robust to ensure ethical and equitable AI adoption globally.
The rise of Edge AI, where AI systems operate directly on devices such as smartphones and IoT devices, enabling offline applications and reducing latency.
AI democratization will continue to expand, as providers work with public and private institutions to lower barriers to entry, empowering students, startups and educators to create impactful AI solutions without needing extensive technical expertise.

How do you envision the role of AI evolving in the higher education sector?

It will enhance personalized learning by offering tools that adapt to individual students’ learning paces and styles, providing tailored resources and feedback. AI-driven platforms will foster collaborative learning and the sharing of knowledge by connecting students and researchers worldwide, breaking down geographical barriers.
AI will advance academic research by expediting data analysis, leading to breakthroughs in disciplines such as medicine, engineering, social sciences and more.
As AI becomes more integrated into curricula, universities will play a pivotal role in upskilling students with the technical and ethical expertise required to thrive in AI-driven industries.

We will see [personalized learning] in the form of AI tutors that will encourage learning both inside and outside the classroom. Administrative tasks, such as grading, course scheduling and other workflows, will become increasingly streamlined through automation, enabling educators to dedicate more time to teaching, guidance and mentorship.

It will enhance personalized learning by offering tools that adapt to individual students’ learning paces and styles, providing tailored resources and feedback. What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career in AI?

Focus on building a strong foundation, staying curious and embracing practical experience.
Take the time to develop proficiency in both mathematics and computer science, and start familiarizing yourselves with programming languages like Python and Java.
Staying informed about advancements in areas such as generative AI, ethical AI and emerging trends by engaging with research papers, conferences and online courses.
Gaining hands-on experience through internships and traineeships.
Interdisciplinary learning, as combining AI knowledge with domains such as business, healthcare or environmental science can unlock innovative applications.
Cultivating skills in communication, teamwork and critical thinking to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

With the right skills, mindset and opportunities, students can play a pivotal role in shaping AI’s future responsibly. Platforms like Microsoft Learn offer resources to help students build essential AI and machine learning skills. Another great resource is the Microsoft AI Skills Navigator, a comprehensive platform designed to provide learners with personalized AI education, offering an AI-powered assistant to guide users to the most suitable learning paths based on their goals, roles and skill levels.

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AUCians Excel at World Urban Forum

Dalia Al Nimr

November 13, 2024

Addressing contemporary challenges ranging from community-based development to climate action, AUC faculty and students from various disciplines actively engaged in the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF 12), the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization organized by UN-Habitat.

Returning to Africa after more than 20 years since its inception, the forum was held in Egypt for the first time and featured over 24,000 participants from 182 countries. These included representatives of national, regional and international governments; academics; business and community leaders; and civil society organizations.

Advancing Architecture

Faculty from AUC’s Department of Architecture spearheaded discussions on diverse topics and conducted hands-on training sessions. Basil Kamel, professor of architecture and urban theory, and Sherif Goubran ‘14, assistant professor of sustainable design, collaborated with EU-based and regional institutions to deliver a training workshop helping homeowner associations prioritize, optimize and finance retrofits in existing buildings to ensure their resilience to climate uncertainties, emphasizing that retrofitting should not only consider the buildings but the urban space that creates a community as well. “Retrofitting has to be redefined to consider a humane experience that goes beyond the building, extending to a social and communal enhancement,” said Kamel.

"I was incredibly proud to see our students and alumni take the stage at WUF, the world's largest event of its kind. They are truly well-equipped to make a meaningful impact."

Nabil Mohareb, associate professor of spatial analysis and design, conducted a training session for students from national and private universities in Egypt based on sustainable development goals implementation metrics, which map local priorities.

“WUF12 was an excellent opportunity to showcase and share AUC’s innovation as well as its regional and global leadership in questions of urbanity and cities,” said Mohareb. “At the event, AUC faculty and students emerged as thought leaders capable of mediating urban research, knowledge and action between the Global North and Global South.”

As a panelist at the event, Mohareb discussed strategies for embedding climate action into the heart of urban planning, capitalizing on the University’s climate change initiative to integrate knowledge from COP27 into teaching, learning, and research.

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Sherif Goubran ‘14, assistant professor of architecture
Architecture senior Yara Yousry (far left) and Kanzy Nabil ‘24, who took part in the Habitat UNI Booth (far right)
Tamer El Gabably ‘21 and Lobna Anous ’18, who works with UN-Habitat
Architecture senior Sara Amin
Held for the time in Egypt, the World Urban Forum welcomed more than 24,000 attendees

“WUF12 was an excellent opportunity to showcase and share AUC’s innovation as well as its regional and global leadership in questions of urbanity and cities."

Goubran led the AUC-hosted Voices from the City session with collaborators from England, Northern Ireland, Mexico and the United States. The event fused the lessons learned from AUC’s Zero-Carbon Future Heritage project with the work of community practitioners utilizing participatory processes for shaping public space, a practice known as placemaking, in the United States, Mexico and globally.

“We were able to highlight the successful future-thinking methodology of our zero-carbon transnational project, which we worked on with Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Salford, and which was showcased at the Venice Biennale,” Goubran said.

For Sara Amin, an architecture senior, the session was a springboard for her graduation project. “This was an incredibly inspiring experience that directly resonated with my dissertation on rethinking Egypt’s street environments to better serve community needs and foster sustainability,” she said. “The forum as a whole demonstrated how academic work, like my own, can translate into practical, impactful solutions on a global scale. It was a fantastic opportunity to witness firsthand how critical design thinking can shape urban spaces to meet the needs of future generations.”

Tamer El Gabaly ’21, a multidisciplinary designer and teaching assistant at AUC, also reflected on how “fascinating” the panel was. “The event was incredibly beneficial, as it provided an opportunity to share our work, engage in meaningful discussions with global experts and reinforce the University’s role in shaping sustainable and inclusive urban futures.”

For El Gabaly, one of his key takeaways is that community participation should go beyond the consultation phase. “The community should be able to have bigger decision-making power when it comes to shaping its built environment,” he affirmed. “This way, cities can grow in ways that truly reflect what the community needs and values.”

Students also showcased their work at the forum. Yara Yousry, an architecture graduating senior and co-founder of the award-winning Bahtinet Project, presented her work in a number of panels. “I was honored to participate [in the event, which] provided an excellent platform for me as a student to discuss how AUC’s education has helped me make a meaningful, real-world impact,” Yousry said. “I shared how the foundation provided by AUC has allowed me to extend SDG concepts beyond campus projects and into global, on-the-ground action, particularly in collaboration with international organizations.”

“The event was incredibly beneficial, as it provided an opportunity to share our work, engage in meaningful discussions with global experts and reinforce the University’s role in shaping sustainable and inclusive urban futures.”

Architecture senior Amina Khairy found the experience to be “transformative.” “I listened to inspiring presentations from leading voices in the field and contributed to a thought-provoking roundtable discussion with professionals and students from diverse backgrounds, all united in exploring how design can reshape urban spaces to foster community and resilience,” she said. “Discussing placemaking, in particular, resonated deeply with me as it highlighted how intentional design can bridge gaps and address shared urban challenges.”

Kanzy Nabil ’24, an architecture alumna who took part in several panels and the Habitat UNI Booth, shared similar sentiments: “[Through our work at AUC], we are contributing to the development and implementation of effective urban policies and strategies that promote sustainable development.”

Multidisciplinary Engagement

Beyond architecture, the forum featured faculty and students from other disciplines, including business and graphic design.

Ahmed Elsayed, associate professor in the School of Business and executive director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa housed at AUC, discussed innovative development models. “Urban settings are complex in nature, and understanding what works best is pivotal to addressing the multidimensional challenges of cities, where issues like poverty and social services are interconnected and require precise data-driven solutions,” said Elsayed. “This is what we specialize in at J-PAL.”

Bahia Shehab (MA ’09), professor of practice in graphic design, presented a talk at the panel titled, A Space for All, which examined the role of digital and physical public spaces as hubs for cultural expression, highlighting how art and culture can foster community connections.

Highlighting AUC student and alumni participation in the World Urban Forum, Goubran noted, "I was incredibly proud to see our students and alumni take the stage at WUF, the world's largest event of its kind. They are truly well-equipped to make a meaningful impact."

Ahmed Elsayed (second from left), associate professor in AUC’s School of Business and executive director of J-PAL MENA at AUC

Global Digital Universities Conference Kicks Off at AUC

Dalia Al Nimr

September 16, 2024

Marking the first time for the event to be held in Egypt, AUC is hosting the 2024 Digital Universities Arab World conference, which kicks off today. The event includes more than 300 industry leaders from over 24 countries spanning four continents, including 150 university representatives, along with industry partners, researchers and innovators from around the world.

"Our vision is to foster critical discussions on the potential and challenges of digital transformation in higher education,in our region, and to bring these essential conversations to Egypt and North Africa."

Organized in partnership with Times Higher Education (THE) and the American University of the Middle East (AUM), the Innovation for Sustainable Digital Higher Education conference will run through September 18, addressing opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in higher education and exploring ethical considerations as well as issues of accessibility.

“We are glad to co-organize and co-host this significant conference at AUC," said President Ahmad Dallal. "Our vision is to foster critical discussions on the potential and challenges of digital transformation in higher education in our region, and to bring these essential conversations to Egypt and North Africa." He added that AUC’s collaboration with Times Higher Education and the American University of the Middle East exemplifies the University’s dedication to creating impactful partnerships.

The event features over 60 speakers who will engage in in-depth discussions, share knowledge and analyze data-driven case studies on the impact of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and governance in higher education. Topics include how digital transformation can support universities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the role of institutional leadership in driving digital transformation at universities, the optimum blended learning model to achieve the right balance of learning and accessibility for universities in the MENA region, student expectations from digital universities, the quality of online learning, development of student skills to ensure digital literacy, the potential of AI for higher education, academic integrity in the age of AI, the future of work in light of digital transformation, and the current and future status of online university course accreditation in the MENA region.

“Digital Universities Arab World is about showcasing innovation in education and providing practical examples of digital transformation from across the region. It's been a pleasure to co-host with The American University in Cairo, a leader in driving change and empowering the next generation of learners.”

These conversations aim to develop strategies for digital transformation in higher education that are inclusive, responsive and impactful while considering local, regional and global contexts, Dallal emphasized. “The digital transformation initiatives we choose to implement must be shaped by the specific contexts of our region, which faces rising geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges to sustainable development, as well as significant disparities in income and resource access.”

Charlotte Coles, director of event partnerships and engagement at THE, expressed her excitement about collaborating with AUC. “Digital Universities Arab World is about showcasing innovation in education and providing practical examples of digital transformation from across the region. It's been a pleasure to co-host with The American University in Cairo, a leader in driving change and empowering the next generation of learners.”

“The digital transformation initiatives we choose to implement must be shaped by the specific contexts of our region, which faces rising geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges to sustainable development, as well as significant disparities in income and resource access.”

The conference attracts speakers and attendees from several universities and higher education institutions, including AUC, Ajman University, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, King Saud University, The University of Jordan, NYU Abu Dhabi, the American University of Beirut, the American University of the Middle East, University of Exter, Abu Dhabi University, The American University of Sharjah, Lebanese American University, Danish School of Education and the Mohamed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Speakers also hail from prominent national, regional and international organizations, including Zewail City of Science, Technology and Innovation; Times Higher Education; Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; the Association of Arab Universities; the British Council; Macmillan Learning, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and others.

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A Warm Welcome to Our New Faculty

Celeste Abourjeili

September 18, 2024

Welcome to our newest faculty members joining us this fall! The incoming faculty are bringing their diverse backgrounds and varied research interests to AUC, with studies ranging from development economics to archival ethics to Mamluk manuscript culture, and everything in between. We’re happy to welcome them to the University and get to know them through their video introductions.

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Get to Know Our New Faculty

Join us in welcoming our new AUC faculty members, who come from around the world and bring fresh perspectives to the classroom. Find out about their interests, passions, and sources of inspiration!

Watch Video

Hedayat Heikal '06

Assistant Professor of Law

Department of Law

Research Interests: Comparative and public law, law and technology

"I look at the regulation of social media firms, venture capital firms, and other contemporary issues to understand how global systems are trying to resolve these cases, especially from a public law perspective."

Dina Mahmoud ’19

Assistant Professor

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Research Interests: Computer hardware, specifically hardware security of heterogeneous computing platforms

"In the future, I plan to further explore systems design while still guaranteeing their hardware security."

Mai Mahmoud

Postdoctoral Fellow

J-Pal MENA

Research Interests: Development, agriculture and resource economics

"In development economics, I’m doing applied microeconomic research to study the impact of randomized interventions on the livelihood of people living in low-income or developing countries."

Lara Baladi

Associate Professor of Practice

Department of the Arts

Research Interests: Popular language, from traditions to vernacular languages

"I’m interested in languages that emerge from different communities or traditions. I’ve been working on the history of revolt, revolutions and protests across the world in the past, present and future."

Karim Banawan

Assistant Professor

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Research Interests: Wireless communication, information theory

"My specialties are communication engineering, wireless communication and physical layer, security and privacy. And recently, I got into machine learning in communication."

Yasmine Eissa '05, '09

Assistant Professor

Mohamed Shafik Gabr Department of Economics

Research Interests: Global value chains

"I’m researching the effect of international interlinkages on labor market outcomes and other development milestones like innovation."

Yasmine Elkhateeb

Postdoctoral Fellow

J-Pal MENA

Research Interests: Development, gender and migration economics

"My recent research looked at the impact of male migration on female labor force participation in Egypt."

Jason Myrick

Associate Professor of Practice and Associate Director of Digital Education

Center for Learning and Teaching

Research Interests: Online and blended learning, AI in education

"My fields of interest are instructional design, educational technology, quality assurance, and online and distance education."

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Day

Assistant University Archivist for Records Management

Libraries and Learning Technologies

Research Interests: Integrated records management programs, archival ethics, open access and legislated documentary obligation

“At the start, I really loved puzzles. So I thought, how can I translate my love of puzzles into something more professional? That’s how I ended up working in archives.”

Noha Abou-Khatwa ’98, ’01

Assistant Professor of Islamic art and Architecture

Sheikh Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations

Research Interests: Arabic calligraphy, manuscript illumination, art and architecture of Egypt and the Persian world

"My main research interests are the manuscript culture, architecture, and intellectual life of the Medieval Muslim world with a focus on the Mamluks."

Sebastian Ille

Associate Professor

Mohamed Shafik Gabr Department of Economics

Research Interests: Institutions, social dynamics, migration and chaos theory

"I’m what you might consider a heterodox economist; I’m looking at alternative approaches to economics, working with social scientists and anthropologists. In addition to looking at institutions and groups, I’m interested in understanding why people do what they do, how individual behavior is defined, how individuals act as a larger part of society and how society evolves."

José Galán

William K. Simpson and Marilyn M. Simpson Visiting Professor in Egyptology

Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology

Research Interests: Egyptology, archaeology and ancient history

"When I first came to Egypt, I fell in love — not only with the ancient monuments but also with the people and the landscape. Soon after, I decided that this was my life, that I wanted to be an Egyptologist. Now, I have been running an excavation down in Luxor for 23 years where we have discovered all sorts of amazing things. We have flower bouquets that were used as a farewell to the deceased 3,000 years ago, among other everyday objects. That’s why I wanted to become an Egyptologist; we share so much in common with the ancient Egyptians."

Nermine Said '00

Associate Professor of Practice

Department of the Arts

“I’m coming from a professional background as a costume designer and am entering academia as a new beginning. I made the switch because I love engaging with students and I love the human element in teaching.”

A woman is smiling and crossing her arms

Aya Musmar

Assistant Professor

Department of Architecture

Research Interests: Displacement and refugee camps, subversive aesthetics in art and architecture, critical heritage studies

Salah Al-Agha

Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

AUC Olympians

Dalia Al Nimr

August 22, 2024

Amina Elfeky, architecture sophomore
Artistic Swimming
Two-Time Olympian
Member of team that won Egypt's first World Cup silver medal in 2023

“Participating in the Olympics as an artistic swimmer has been a remarkable journey and a dream come true. Competing in Paris and performing in all the routines was both challenging and rewarding. The experience was more special because my family was there to watch and celebrate with me, adding a deeply personal touch to this achievement. Each Olympic experience has been unique, and performing on such a grand stage surrounded by loved ones is a moment I will always cherish and remember.

“Participating in the Olympics as an artistic swimmer has been a remarkable journey and a dream come true. Competing in Paris and performing in all the routines was both challenging and rewarding.”

Read more about AUC Olympians

News@AUC connected with some of the students and alumni who took part in the Paris 2024 Olympics, capturing their emotions and unforgettable experiences from the event.

I’ve learned the importance of discipline, perseverance and adaptability. These qualities allowed me to perform at my best in Paris, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

My most memorable moment was after finishing my performances and hearing the whole crowd cheering for our team, while waiting to see our results and finding out that we swam a “base mark free routine” (which means a very good performance in the world of artistic swimming). This was a very satisfying feeling.”

I’ve learned the importance of discipline, perseverance and adaptability. These qualities allowed me to perform at my best in Paris, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Maggy Ashmawy ’13, political science
Shooting
Two-Time Olympian; Gold medalist in 2019 African Games and 2019 African Championship

“The Paris 2024 Olympics were different from Tokyo 2020 as there were spectators and cheering during all rounds of the competition. This did not happen in Tokyo because it was during Covid, and usually in world cups, the cheering is only at the finals. The cheering gave me positive vibes but was stressful sometimes. We learn new lessons every day, and I have definitely learned a lot from my experience in the Paris Olympics.”

“The cheering gave me positive vibes but was stressful sometimes.”

Dina Meshref ’17, business administration
Table Tennis
Four-Time Olympian; Ranks #24 worldwide and #1 in Africa; Won 14 African titles, including 1st in Africa nine times

“Being part of the Olympic Games is always very exciting and honorable. I feel very grateful to have been part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. One of the most valuable lessons I learned is to always enjoy competition and have fun during the game; and at the same time, stay very focused and give your 100% while preparing for the tournament and matches.

I have really enjoyed playing in Paris in front of the home crowd and all the spectators who attended. This time, the vibes and atmosphere were great and different compared to those at the Tokyo Olympics where no spectators were allowed due to Covid. I could feel how the French fans appreciate table tennis as a sport regardless of who wins in the end.”

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned is to always enjoy competition and have fun during the game; and at the same time, stay very focused and give your 100% while preparing for the tournament and matches.”

Yossra Helmy '20
Table Tennis
Three-Time Olympian

Helmy took part in the Rio 2016 Olympics as part of the Egyptian women’s team and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she competed in the singles and women’s team games.

"I hope to be selected for the 2028 Olympics. Being in the Olympics several times gave me a big boost to keep doing it again as I become more familiar with the atmosphere and competition."

Other AUC Olympians at Paris 2024 Olympics

Malak Abdelshafi, mechanical engineering sophomore
Para Swimming

Best of luck to Abdelshafi, who will compete in the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. Watch Abdelshafi speak about her AUC experience in the video below.

Abdelshafi won a silver medal at her first nationals when she was only 9 years old. She ranked 10th at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she broke the African record.

Mohammad Sanad ’14, economics
Handball

With a long career in handball, Sanad played on the Egyptian national team during the Rio 2016 Olympics and the World Men's Handball Championship in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

Haydy Morsy ’21, business administration
Modern Pentathlon (first reserve for Africa)
Four-Time Olympian

Morsy won first place at the 2019 Pentathlon African Championships and was captain of the women’s national team at the 2022 UIPM Modern Pentathlon World Cup. She was awarded First Prize Egyptian Athlete by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Aswan-Arab Youth Forum.

Sherif Kamel Chairs AACSB Board

July 2, 2024

Sherif Kamel ’88, ’90. ‘13, dean of AUC’s School of Business, has been elected board chair of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for the 2024-2025 academic year, effective July 1, 2024.

"Being elected as chair of the AACSB Board of Directors is not just a personal honor but also a testament to the vital role that AUC and similar institutions play in shaping the future of global business education," said Kamel. "I am committed to leveraging this opportunity to further AACSB's mission of fostering engagement, accelerating innovation and amplifying impact in business education."

Poised to guide AACSB during a critical phase in its evolution, Kamel plans to prioritize digital transformation in education, enhance global collaboration, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. His extensive involvement in advisory and governance roles, including a recent appointment to the board of the Central Bank of Egypt, underscores his profound impact on the business education landscape.

"Being elected as chair of the AACSB Board of Directors is not just a personal honor but also a testament to the vital role that AUC and similar institutions play in shaping the future of global business education."

Kamel's roles as vice chair and chair-elect of the AACSB board and leadership of its Innovation Committee in 2023 set the stage for his current position as chair. Under his tenure as dean of AUC’s School of Business, the institution achieved the prestigious triple-crown accreditation and has been consistently recognized among the top business schools globally.

Established in 1916, AACSB is the world's largest business education alliance. It connects educators, learners and business professionals on an international scale to foster engagement, accelerate innovation and amplify impact in business education, aiming for a better society.

Read more about Sherif Kamel Chairs AACSB Board

Commencement Winners

July 2, 2024

Read more about Commencement Winners

Meet our faculty and student awardees who were honored at the 2024 graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for their outstanding achievements.

Faculty Merit Awards

A professor in a cap and gown stands holding a certificate shaking hands with the President of AUC

Ian Morrison

Excellence in Teaching Award

A professor in a cap and a gown holds a certificate next to the President of AUC.

Jillian Campana

Excellence in Academic Service Award

a man stands in a light colored shirt in front of a beige building

Shahjahan Bhuiyan

Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors Award

President's Cup Winners

Presented to the student(s) with the highest grade point average

A man in a cap and gown stands next to the President of AUC holding a certificate and a golden trophy

Abdallah Ahmed Taha Abdelaziz

A woman in a cap and gown stands next to the President of AUC holding a certificate and a golden trophy

Habiba Amin Said

Jad Hussam Abbas

Maya Ahmed Shehata

Mohamed Amr Ashmawy

Zeina Amr Elgamal

Other Cup Winners

Malak Mohamed Awad

Student Government Cup

Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has been an active leader in any branch of the Student Government (Student Union, Student Court or Student Senate) and has made an impact on the AUC community through his or her position

Laila Ashraf Ibrahim Shoukry

Student Government Cup

Maya Ahmed Shehata

Parents Association Cup

Presented to a student who has demonstrated exceptional capability in blending academic achievement with a major contribution to student activities

A woman stands in a cap and gown in front of a commencement background holding a certificate and a golden trophy next to the AUC President.

Jude Maher Diab

Omar Mohsen Athletic Achievement Cup

Awarded to a student-athlete who wins a gold, silver or bronze medal representing AUC in national and international tournaments, in addition to maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Other Award Winners

A man stands in a cap and gown in front of a commencement background holding a certificate and a golden trophy next to the AUC President.

Abdallah Ahmed Abdelaziz

Dr. Abdel Rahman El Sawy Award

Awarded to a graduating public school scholar with the highest grade point average in the School of Sciences and Engineering

Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Undergraduate Award

Awarded to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student

A man stands in a cap and gown in front of a commencement background holding a certificate next to the AUC President.

Omar Mahmoud Sabry

Ahmed El Mehallawi Family Award

Presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and contributed to extracurricular activities, including community service

A woman stands in a cap and gown in front of a commencement background holding a certificate next to the AUC President.

Salma Ahmed Aly

Dr. Ahmed Zewail Prize for Excellence in the Sciences and Humanities

Recognizes an AUC honors graduate whose academic accomplishments demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the pursuit of scientific inquiry and the affirmation of humanistic values

Amina Melissa Lakrib

The Doria Shafik Award

Presented to a student who worked on women's empowerment in any discipline, field or activity, such as artwork, a community service project, research on the inclusion of women, volunteer work and more

Mohamed Amr Ashmawy

Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Undergraduate Award

Awarded to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student

Judith Uttendorfer

The Valerie Farag Music Award

Presented to the highest performing student in musical arts or music technology

Graduate Student Awards

Man in a cap and gown stands next to the AUC President holding a certificate

Youssef Mohamed Kotb

Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Graduate Award

Awarded to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student

Thesis: "Shape Memory Alloy Capsule Micropump for Drug Delivery Applications"

Supervisor: Professor Mohamed Serry

Graduate Program: Mechanical Engineering

Woman in cap and gown stands next to the AUC President holding a certificate

Dalia Ismail Abdelnabi

25th of January Award for Scholarly Excellence

Recognizing an AUC graduate student for his/her outstanding thesis work on a topic related to democracy, human rights, citizenship or sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa

Thesis: "Tactical Compromises: Authoritarian Survival Mechanism of Sudan’s Inqaz Regime (1989-2019)"

Supervisor: Assistant Professor Sean Lee

Graduate Program: Political Science, concentration in comparative politics

AUC Students Win With Sustainable Shopping

Honey ElMoghazi

April 22, 2024

Finance juniors Salma Afifi, Jumana Elhefnawy and Maya Abu Shahba developed ScanHa to incentivize consumers toward making sustainable fashion choices, promoting conscious consumerism and reducing the industry's environmental impact.

"We want to create a community of environmentally conscious and responsible shoppers without compromising either style or budget," explained Elhefnawy. “ScanHa allows customers to scan the barcodes of clothing items while shopping, showing a sustainability rating for each piece. For high-rated items, the user is encouraged to proceed with the purchase, whereas for low-rated items, the user is redirected toward a more sustainable yet identical alternative. ScanHa also offers incentives and discounts for eco-friendly purchases, which makes sustainable shopping more desirable and accessible.”

Offered by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at AUC’s School of Business in collaboration with the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec), a pan-African network that includes universities from across the continent, the competition encourages students to utilize advanced technology (ICT) in order to aid businesses and public establishments in reducing waste and advocating for ethical practices for a more sustainable future.

Read more about AUC Students Win With Sustainable Shopping

Competing with more than 200 participants from 14 different African countries, a team of three AUC students won the ICT for Circulatory Competition for their first-of-its-kind mobile app, ScanHa, which allows consumers to scan clothing barcodes to view sustainability ratings and recommendations for more eco-friendly alternatives.

“We all love fashion, but often fail to acknowledge the effects it has on the environment and how damaging it can be."

The idea of the startup app stems from the Entrepreneurship and Innovation course offered by the Business School. The course mirrors the real-world early stage of the entrepreneurial process where students are given the chance to build a business model throughout the semester resulting in a final pitch.

“We had identified the problem of sustainability in the fashion industry early on in the course. However, we just did not know how to go about creating a solution. We first toyed with the idea of creating a fintech app, but it lacked the spark,” Afifi said, “After weeks of research and brainstorming, we landed on the idea of ScanHa.”

The app aims to shift the stigma surrounding the cost of sustainable fashion. “We all love fashion but often fail to acknowledge the effects it has on the environment and how damaging it can be,” Abu Shahba said. “We want to raise awareness by encouraging consumers to make informed decisions. Whether actively seeking sustainable choices or new to the concept, our objective is to simplify the process of sustainable purchases for the consumer to benefit both the society and the environment."

The ScanHa team credits their success in part to their educational journey at AUC< where classes allowed them to hone their pitching skills as well as their ability to identify weak points in their initial thought process to determine the viability of their project.

"Their ultimate victory in Afretec further solidified their excellence."

“Research was instrumental to our success," said Afifi. "Our idea is complex, so clarity and cohesiveness were key. Thanks to the power of research, the guidance of our professor and AUC equipping us with an extensive research base, we were able to readily and smoothly answer the Q&A section of the competition.”

Moataz Darwish '95, associate professor in the School of Business and course instructor, noted, “This team kept passionately exploring their problem space of fast fashion and persistently iterating between multiple solutions for most of the semester whilst their classmates were already finalizing their projects. Their ultimate victory in Afretec further solidified their excellence."

Darwish commended ScanHa’s team diversity. “By combining various thinking styles and personalities, they achieved a well-rounded approach that propelled them to success,” he said.

AUC at COP28

December 18, 2023

AUCians across disciplines made their voices heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference which is the world’s largest climate conference. Faculty, students and alumni shared their expertise on topics such as green buildings and education, showcased award-winning sustainable startups, and delivered powerful speeches. Read more about AUC at COP28 below.

Learn more about the University's Climate Change Initiative.

Read more about AUC at COP28

Faculty

Dina Abdel Fattah, Department of Economics

Panelist in the session, "Climate Change: Are Business Schools Doing Enough?" organized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the University of Dubai

man in suit stands behind a podium holding a microphone

Salah El Haggar, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Panelist in the session, "Integrated Urban Sustainability and Social Value Creation in Cities" as well as a speaker and panelist in the session, "Sustainable Cities and Climate Change." Learn more about Haggar's pioneering sustainability work in AUCToday magazine

man wearing glasses smiles and stands in front of trees and a building

Omar Abdelaziz, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Presented at the Montreal Protocol Pavilion (starts at 35:21) in the session, "Energy Efficiency in the RAC Servicing Sector – A Missing Piece to Make MEPS Work," where he discussed the activities and findings of the Montreal Protocol's Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee, of which he is co-chair. He also was a participant at the side event, "National Cooling Action Plans in the Arab Region."

Seham Elmrayed, Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology

Panelist in the discussion, "Arts for Climate in Rural Areas Schools in Egypt" and interviewed by TRENDS Research & Advisory on the spread of diseases during natural disasters

Students

Woman stands behind a podium speaking into the microphone

Anisa (Nissa) Bek

Climate Activist

Delivered a keynote speech, "We Will Not Let You Get Away With It"

Alumni

Woman wearing a black skirt and orange blouse stands in front of a green wall and presentation screen holding a microphone

Joumana El Rifai ‘03 ‘06

Assistant Professor of Physics, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Presenter

woman wearing a purple scarf and white longsleeve shirt stands in a hallway surrounded by flags

Noheier Nashaat ‘04

Child Protection Program Consultant, UNICEF Gulf

Two men stand smiling in front of a presentation booth

George Efram ‘20

Sustainability Analyst, Oscar Limited

Exhibited a startup company in the Green Zone and organized the panel, "Sustainable Procurement: How It Can Help the UAE Meet Its Net Zero Target"

Amir El-Shenawy ‘13

Award-Winning Film Director and Producer

Screened his short documentary, Drowning Fish, which follows one of the last fishermen of Qarun Lake in Fayoum, Egypt, at the Green Zone during a panel, "Local Storied, Global Impact" and at the Blue Zone.

Ramy Saleh ‘12

Chief Business Development and Sustainability Officer, El Marakby Steel

Panelist and promoted partnerships within the private sector as well as between NGOs and the private sector, focusing on sustainable steel production

three people sit in front of a presentation screen

Yamama Kenawy ‘96

Founder and Managing Director, Tadweera

Led the panel, "Tadweera's Initiative for Green Education in Sustainable Communities"

Three men in suits signing paper at a table

Muhammad El Demerdash ‘04, Khaled El Demerdash ‘05, Omar El Demerdash “08

Engazaat

The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), Engazaat and CHINT Global signed an agreement to establish and operate an integrated industrial park for green energy technology in SCZONE.

four people sit on a stage having a discussion

Sherif Hafez ‘99

Panelist

Other Alumni Participants

Karim Refaat ‘98 ‘03; Manal Hassan ‘90; Dalia Kamar ‘17; Minister Rania Al Mashat ‘95,; AUC Trustee Ahmed Ismail ‘97; Amir El Shenawy ‘13; Haytham El Maagergi ‘99; Miray Zaki ‘04; Mirna Arif ‘02 ‘07; Samar Negida ‘11 ‘14; Sherif Hafez ‘99; Shereif Rostom ‘05; and Soha El Turky ‘94 ‘98

Sustainability Strides

man wearing suit and glasses leans on a balcony edge overlooking auc gardens

Khaled Tarabieh

University Architect and Associate Professor of Sustainable Design

Name Among the Top 100 Middle East Sustainability Voices by Climate Penpal and Gulf Intelligence

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AUC in the Race to Zero

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion of the United Arab Emirates for COP28, outlines why universities and colleges are so important to the Race to Zero, speaking of AUC's commitment to the cause.