Three Columbia University graduate students decided to spend a semester abroad at AUC. Find out what brought them from New York to Cairo.

James Hebish, Juris Doctor Candidate at Columbia Law School

An Egyptian-American third-year law student, Hebish was thrilled to come to AUC for the University’s unique position. Hebish desires to improve his language skills and gain living experience in Cairo, a city that he is used to transiting through while visiting family in Beni Suef.

Since arriving at AUC, Hebish has been exploring downtown Cairo in his free time, eating koshary at Abou Tarek and watching the latest Arab films at Zawya Cinema. As an amateur oud player, Hebish is attending performances and concerts by Egyptian artists such as Omar Khairat. He is pleased to be immersed in Cairo’s entertainment culture and arts scene.

Academically, Hebish is impressed by the faculty’s critical approach and ability to question well-established subject matters. “The professors who speak about international law at AUC are informed by the history of the region. They’re coming at it with an alternative perspective,” said Hebish. His favorite AUC class is Introduction to International Human Rights Law and Critique with Associate Professor of Law Jason Beckett. 

Hebish has also taken pleasure in the sprawling campus and welcoming environment at AUC. “Everyone from the cafe workers to the security guards and even random people on the street are very eager to help,” said Hebish. “AUCians and Egyptians generally take pride in that kind of hospitality.”

Leah Daoud, Master of Public Administration Candidate at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

A second-year student of Lebanese descent, Daoud was most excited to be in an Arabic-speaking country, where she can connect to her heritage language. “Everybody wants to come to Egypt; the history and culture are unparalleled,” she said.

Daoud feels that the rigorous course offerings in Arabic language and Middle East studies are enriching her SIPA specialization in ways that would not be possible in the States. “I’m taking classes that are really tailored to my interests, which are Middle East studies and human rights. Being at AUC gives me an opportunity to learn about the experiences of refugees in the region,” said Daoud.

Daoud is particularly engaged in her Arabic class with Shaimaa Hassanein, adjunct faculty of discipline. She is also taking Professor Beckett’s course in human rights alongside Hebish, and the two agreed that the professor’s willingness to critique traditional ideas is refreshing. “The innovative approach of AUC professors is so enriching to my education,” said Daoud.

Aside from academics and Egyptian kindness, Daoud is really enjoying AUC cats, which she said is the perfect antidote for homesickness. When on campus, Daoud carries around snacks to indulge their endless appetites, reminding her of her four cats back home.

Lucas Brooks, Master of International Affairs Candidate at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

A serial study-abroad student, Brooks came to AUC to enrich his perspective of the world and widen his breadth of knowledge. “It’s almost strange to think about studying international affairs without an experience internationally, so the opportunity to study abroad really complements my greater education,” said Brooks.

Like the other Columbia students, Brooks has found that professors at AUC are ambitious and often less set in their ways than he is used to. Brooks said, “There’s more willingness to go off the traditional path at AUC, which is reflected here in the curriculum and classroom discussions.”

Professors at AUC are also more accessible than Brooks is accustomed to. For instance, he is currently taking courses with two former Egyptian ambassadors whom he refers to as “standout professors” whose courses are focused “much more on real instruction, real experience, and real applications in the world.”

He is grateful that professors anchor their teachings in the student experience, relating theoretical concepts to case studies in Egypt. “In classes, the model country for theoretical discussions is not just the U.S., even though this is an American University; it’s the U.S. and Egypt.” 

Aside from the professors, Brooks is most enjoying the AUC campus itself. “The campus was very intentionally built for the student experience, just like the instruction, as opposed to being built to look good on the outside.” 

With hopes of working in Washington, D.C. after he graduates, Brooks is confident that his time at AUC will inform his future decision-making and analysis of global events.

Political science senior Ibrahim Elsharkawy was part of the official delegation representing Egypt at the High-Level Global Forum on Youth Peace and Security in Amman, Jordan. Elsharkawy contributed his original ideas and initiatives to the forum, where he advocated for youth as "champions of peace" and called for the introduction of peace education into schools.

“I was representing youth who are my age, and I felt that I was voicing their concerns to leaders from across the region..” 

The forum discussed an Arab strategy for youth peace and security, built upon the official agenda launched by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 in 2015, which promotes youth participation in peacemaking. The resolution, and now the forum, has five main pillars: participation, protection prevention, partnerships, disengagement and reintegration. 

Elsharkawy shared his recommendations to help curate the forum’s final strategy. One of his suggestions was to create youth councils in member states to enable youth participation in decision-making processes. The significance of this goal, according to Elsharkawy, is to allow for intergenerational dialogue. The forum discussed another of his ideas: disengaging youth from armed groups and reintegrating them back into society.

“I was representing youth who are my age, and I felt that I was voicing their concerns to leaders from across the region,” said Elsharkawy, who hopes to become a diplomat after he graduates.  “I was able to put the skills I learned throughout my years at AUC to good use and fend for those who cannot fend for themselves.” 

In addition to these contributions, Elsharkawy focused his speech on the need to “shift the narrative from perceiving youth as agents of chaos to champions of peace.” His emphasis on peace education, among his other initiatives, is a strong way to “raise a generation that is more tolerant and peaceful with each other in the future.”

"I was able to put the skills I learned throughout my years at AUC to good use and fend for those who cannot fend for themselves."

The forum was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Jordan Hussein bin Abdullah and the League of Arab States. Elsharkawy was part of the official Egyptian delegation headed by Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhy.

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.

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.

In an ode to AUC’s global citizenry and leadership in innovation, the University is offering a new cybersecurity specialization and welcomed the first cohort of its newly launched international joint degree program.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering 

The computer science and engineering department has introduced a new specialization in cybersecurity, in addition to embedded systems and artificial intelligence, which were introduced over the past two years.

“These specializations are very well aligned with the local and international job needs,” said Sherif Aly '96, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. “They position our graduates to land high-quality, higher-paying jobs in the marketplace.” 

Aly further stressed the need for expertise in all three subject areas among fundamental industries, from transportation systems to healthcare to telecommunications. 

“These specializations are very well aligned with the local and international job needs. They position our graduates to land high-quality, higher-paying jobs in the marketplace. All of the digital infrastructure out there needs protection, and there is a huge shortage of professionals to do this."

Emphasizing that the cybersecurity specialization will fill a much-needed niche, Aly noted, “All of the digital infrastructure out there needs protection, and there is a huge shortage of professionals to do this."

Master of Arts in Comparative and Middle East Politics and Society (CMEPS)

Currently in its inaugural year, CMEPS is a joint program offered by AUC and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen in Germany. The joint-degree program comes after 10 years of successful collaboration between the two institutions, and its inception marks a milestone as AUC’s first official joint degree with another university.

“Applying for the CMEPS program was an excellent decision. The small cohort size allowed for close, meaningful interactions with professors, who were eager to provide valuable academic insights."

Students in the program will complete their studies between the two institutions, including an internship, a semester abroad at the partner institution, as well as Arabic and German studies. The program is the first of its kind, offering a political science degree that is accredited in both Germany and the United States.

“Applying for the CMEPS program was an excellent decision,” said CMEPS student Angelos Chatzigiannis, who was seeking a Middle East-focused master’s program. “Coming from the Tübingen side, I was impressed by the academically rigorous schedule that blended theory and practice. The small cohort size allowed for close, meaningful interactions with professors, who were eager to provide valuable academic insights."

The Attachment Lab has garnered significant recognition both from within AUC and across other universities due to its unique capacity to conduct research within an Arab context and enable culturally inclusive understandings of relationship dynamics. “The lab aims to be a hub for research related to attachment studies, including romantic and family connections, attachment to God, parent-child dynamics, perinatal psychology, as well as interpersonal acceptance and rejection,” said Zaki. “What makes it unique is that it contributes to the significant gap in literature by representing our culture and exploring research findings in this context.” 

“It is pivotal to address the imbalance in attachment studies by examining and collecting prevalent data within the Egyptian context to add to the literature. Further understanding the role of cultural norms and family dynamics is of utmost importance when it comes to understanding attachment patterns in different parts of the world.” 

So why is region-specific research important? As Zaki explains, attachment patterns are not the same internationally. Culture plays a huge role in mother-child relationships, including the prevalence and manifestations of attachment styles as well as parenting norms. However, research on attachment systems has previously been dominated by studies centered exclusively on Western cultures. 

“Having conducted a pilot study on the Strange Situation Procedure in the past semesters, I secured a grant from AUC for a more elaborate study using this methodology, which then led to launching the Attachment Lab.

“It is pivotal to address the imbalance in attachment studies by examining and collecting prevalent data within the Egyptian context to add to the literature,” Zaki says. “Further understanding the role of cultural norms and family dynamics is of utmost importance when it comes to understanding attachment patterns in different parts of the world.” 

Zaki’s current primary focus is on studying mother-child dynamics to explore their relationship and attachment interactions through an observational protocol called the Strange Situation Procedure while investigating the concept of ‘intergenerational transmission of attachment.’ This is particularly important as no reliable study on this methodology has been published before in Egypt or anywhere in the Arab world. “Having conducted a pilot study on the Strange Situation Procedure in the past semesters, I secured a grant from AUC for a more elaborate study using this methodology, which then led to launching the Attachment Lab. This study involved observing 60 mother-child dyads who came to the lab,” Zaki says. 

The lab also gives students from AUC and beyond the opportunity to get involved in exciting new developments related to attachment theory and gain hands-on experience to equip them for their postgraduate careers.

“It was through this life-changing opportunity that I discovered my passion for attachment theory, which I now plan to pursue further and hopefully specialize in throughout my career. I have also been given the opportunity of co-authoring a paper that is now published in a highly-ranked, peer-reviewed journal.”

“Students enrolled in my Advanced Lifespan Development graduate course get to experience firsthand being part of a research team. They attend observations with me, and I train them on how to code what they observe. As for my undergraduate students, I take them for a tour in the lab and explain what kind of research is conducted there,” Zaki says. She also trains students (both undergraduates and graduates) to be part of her research team, which adds significantly to their knowledge of attachment theory and developmental psychology.

The chance to get involved in research at the Attachment Lab has a positive impact on the students involved and is highly sought by students interested in research. “I started working with Dr. Zaki two and a half years ago on the pilot attachment study that was the groundwork for the Attachment Lab,” said Maya Shehata, an undergraduate psychology student and member of the research team, “It was through this life-changing opportunity that I discovered my passion for attachment theory, which I now plan to pursue further and hopefully specialize in throughout my career. I have also been given the opportunity of co-authoring a paper that is now published in a highly-ranked, peer-reviewed journal.”

The lab is now one of Shehata’s favorite places on campus. ‘Working here has led to a lot of personal and academic development for me, which I can primarily attribute to Dr. Zaki’s style of mentorship. She has created an ideal environment for learning and growth,” she stated. 

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.”

If you’ve ever crammed for a final last minute and put on your favorite playlist to keep you focused, you’re not alone. But does listening to music while you work actually help your performance? Undergraduate students Yasmin Hamoud, Mariam Bourham and Mahmoud Malatawy’s project looked into this question, taking them all the way to Long Beach, California to present their work conducted as part of the Cognitive Psychology class taught by Jacquelyn Berry, assistant professor of psychology.  

Unique in its focus on bilingualism, Hamoud, Bourham’s and Malatawy’s study had three groups: the first listened to mid-tempo then fast-tempo music in Arabic, the second listened to mid-tempo and fast-tempo music in Russian, and the third  had no music at all. The participants, all of whom were Arabic and English speakers, completed both a logic-based task and a visual task while listening, and the students measured their performance and compared it with that of the other groups. They found that music negatively impacted performance irrespective of the type of task, the language, or the speed.

“In the past, there have been similar studies, but by focusing on English and Arabic bilinguals, we were able to contribute to an understudied part of the field,” Bourham says. 

What makes studying bilinguals specific? “Bilinguals have rather different brains,” explains Bourham. “For example, they have more inhibitory powers: If I'm speaking in English, I might have better abilities to inhibit the Arabic side of my brain, and vice versa.”

The students also enjoyed the practical side of their work. ““For me, the most fun part was watching the psychological effects of the experiment, not only whether the participants were able to complete the test, but just examining whether they were agitated, distracted or felt accomplished.”says Hamoud. 

Through their research, the students had the opportunity to present their findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Long Beach, California, with funding from a grant from the University.

“AUC really gave us the creative and academic freedom to research what we’re passionate about,” says Hamoud. “Being selected for the conference  was a very surreal moment because I have always wanted to be able to present my research abroad.” 

Their focus on bilingualism helped the students build community while at the conference. “Our poster actually gained a lot of traction, especially from bilinguals, which was really interesting,” says Bourham. “Many Arab Americans stopped at our poster, and we connected with a lot of other researchers through that. They really identified with our research, and I felt proud to be conveying an aspect of research that hasn’t really yet been covered.”

Mentoring and networking were also beneficial for the students. “There were a lot of professors at the conference from different disciplines, like architecture or chemistry, who would give us advice about how to continue our research. I felt really proud of the work we had done and demonstrating how interesting psychology can be,” says Hamoud.

Overall, the conference opened doors for the student to grow and develop both personally and professionally. “Through this experience, I got to explore the opportunities that AUC provides to people who want to present their research abroad,” Bourham says. “Afterward, we were invited to seek out additional conferences here in Cairo. Our initial opportunity had a domino effect, which had a huge impact on us.”