“Since my childhood, I have been obsessed with the tech field and was always curious to know how computers worked. They really fascinated me,” said Youssef Medhat, a freshman majoring in computer engineering and a member of the first cohort of Excellence Scholars. “Once I knew that AUC provides a scholarship for outstanding students, I applied and received a full scholarship that I am confident will immensely help me pursue my goals.” 

This fall, AUC welcomed the first recipients of the Excellence Scholarship Program, which attracts a diverse and talented pool of top students. “Engaging with my community through student activities in high school while maintaining a good academic record were the two main factors that helped me get this scholarship,” Medhat explained.

While planning to immerse himself in his studies, Medhat is keen on going beyond the classrooms and labs. “I’m more interested in student organizations at AUC, such as Google Developer Student Clubs, Robotics Club, and the Computer Science and Engineering Association, which I believe will fulfill my passion for technology and further enhance my knowledge in the field,” he said. 

For Medhat, co-curricular activities are a platform to develop real-life skills and volunteer to support the community around him, as he did during high school. “I was appointed as head of the IT committees in some of the student activities I was enrolled in at school,” he explained. 

However, Medhat did not stop there. “I started my own student club at school dedicated to spreading news about tech trends.” Medhat’s active participation in student bodies throughout his high school years and his growing interest in different student organizations at AUC evoke his leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to both his academic and non-academic journey. 

His career aspirations? A software engineer, of course. 

“My time at AUC will help me get there and will enable me to have a meaningful impact in society,” he said. “I’m looking forward to this exciting journey.” 

AUC and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) have joined forces on Egypt’s Digital Heritage Portal project, alongside providing expert electronics training for engineering students and fresh graduates in the country. 

President Ahmad Dallal affirmed that this partnership is a prime example of AUC’s commitment to serving society, promoting economic and human development in the communications and information technology sectors, and providing assistance and extensive vocational training to give Egyptian youth the tools they require to thrive and compete globally. “We continue to develop our well-rounded liberal arts education to ensure learners are prepared to navigate the evolving labor market while sharing our vision with our governmental and educational partners as well as the private sector,” Dallal stated.

MCIT Minister Amr Talaat emphasized the ministry's plan to strengthen Egypt's position in electronic design, with a focus on electric cars and self-driving vehicles, and commended the extensive knowledge and academic expertise of AUC. “This endeavor seeks to expand the pool of specialized professionals and equip youth with a robust skill set, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge to excel in these high-value scientific specializations,” said Talaat.

“We continue to develop our well-rounded liberal arts education to ensure learners are prepared to navigate the evolving labor market while sharing our vision with our governmental and educational partners as well as the private sector."

The Role of the AUC Library: Heritage Preservation

AUC's Libraries and Learning Technologies will be collaborating with MCIT to make available Egypt’s rich heritage in a digital format to researchers and culture enthusiasts through Egypt’s Digital Heritage Portal project. “AUC's Libraries and Learning Technologies has a long and distinguished history of collecting, digitizing and safeguarding cultural heritage while also playing a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and information," said Lamia Eid '88, '92, interim dean of Libraries and Learning Technologies. "We are excited to embark on this journey to share our resources and expertise as Egypt gears up for the launch of the [nationwide] Digital Heritage Portal project."

"We are committed to providing comprehensive metadata for the digitized collection, as metadata plays a crucial role in facilitating search and discovery, enabling scholars to navigate and explore Egypt's cultural heritage more effectively,” she continued.

Equipping Engineering Students with State-of-the-Art Training

"By developing programs that empower engineers and foster local startups and foreign investment, we can unlock the potential of many talented engineers in Egypt, driving innovation and progress,” 

Through AUC and MCIT’s collaboration, engineering students and fresh graduates from all over Egypt will receive world-class expert electronics training conducted in Egypt’s seven centers for electronics development, which are located at AUC and the Smart Village as well as Alexandria, Borg El Arab, Zagazig, Ismailia and Assiut governorates

“Providing expert engineering training is not just about acquiring skills, but more about generating opportunities for job creation and economic growth," said Yehea Ismail, professor and chair of AUC's Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering and director of the Center of Nanoelectronics and Devices at the University who was recently appointed as adviser to Egypt’s MCIT minister. "By developing programs that empower engineers and foster local startups and foreign investment, we can unlock the potential of many talented engineers in Egypt, driving innovation and progress.” 

Providing expert engineering training allows students to not only acquire skills but also generate opportunities for employment and economic growth. With AUC's support, participants across Egypt will receive live and virtual instruction from talented teachers worldwide and hands-on guidance from trained assistants.

AUC’s Board of Trustees has elected its newest member: Ahmed Galal Ismail ’97, chief executive officer and member of the Board of Directors at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with assets in excess of $18 billion and 44,000 employees.

Holding an MBA with distinction from the London Business School and a Bachelor of Science in computer science with high honors from AUC, Ismail is happy to serve his alma mater. 

“I’m delighted to be invited to join the AUC Board of Trustees and for the opportunity to contribute to broadening AUC’s impact across the Arab world,” Ismail said.

A business trailblazer, Ismail held several executive positions across Majid Al Futtaim’s portfolio of businesses during his 16-year tenure, playing an instrumental role in the company’s growth and development. Having joined in 2007 as the group's vice president of strategy, Ismail quickly rose through the ranks, becoming CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures from 2009 to 2018, overseeing seven business niches such as leisure and entertainment, cinema, lifestyle, facilities management and consumer finance. From 2018 to 2023, he was CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, managing the company’s wide range of shopping malls, hotels and mixed-use communities across the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon. Prior to Al-Futtaim, Ismail worked with Procter and Gamble in Egypt and Germany in addition to serving as principal of Booz Allen Hamilton, where he advised organizations in the retail, media, tourism and transportation sectors.

"My fellow trustees and I are excited to welcome Ahmed Galal Ismail to our Board,” said Mark Turnage (ALU ’82), chair of AUC’s Board of Trustees. “As an AUC graduate, Ahmed has been a tireless advocate for the University, and he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership that will support AUC’s impact at this critical moment.”

Ismail serves on the boards of the Arab Investment Bank and Endeavor United Arab Emirates, a global nonprofit dedicated to high-impact entrepreneurship. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.  

As part of AUC’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning, construction engineering undergraduates visited Egypt’s New Administrative Capital to explore hands-on the advanced construction methods and state-of-the-art electromechanical systems being employed. Students ascended to the top floor of the Iconic Tower, the tallest in Africa, where they were able to witness the advanced construction systems that comprise it in action. 

“Seeing such a mega structure, the Iconic Tower, in real life and listening to industry leaders delve into how such buildings are constructed is a real privilege,” says Mohamed Elnakeb, construction engineering graduating senior and president of the student-led Construction Engineering Association (CEA). “We also viewed the mechanical systems inside the tower. This experience is an added value for us as students since we actually see things firsthand and understand how it all works in real life.”

The initiative is a collaboration between CEA, the Department of Construction Engineering, Career Center and American Society of Civil Engineers AUC Student Chapter. 

At the Central Business District, students were granted a unique opportunity to study the technological advancements of the area and gain insights that extend far beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Additionally, the students visited the highrise twin towers, interconnected by a sophisticated truss bridge at the top. “This provided a rare opportunity for them to examine the intricate structural elements and construction methodologies that underpin these towering edifices,” says Ibrahim Abotaleb, associate professor in the Department of Construction Engineering. 

This immersive trip served as a cornerstone of the Career Center's job-shadowing efforts, facilitating meaningful interactions between aspiring engineers and industry professionals."The Career Center organizes job-shadowing visits in diverse industries to help students visualize their career in action,” says Mary Henry, experiential learning officer at AUC’s Career Center. The job-shadowing program allows students to spend a day with a professional working in their career of interest, giving them the opportunity to experience what the job is like and get their questions answered by professionals in the field.”

Engaging directly with engineers and representatives of the China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the driving force behind the construction efforts in the New Administrative Capital, the students gained valuable insights into the collaborative efforts and meticulous planning involved in such ambitious projects.

“AUC made history during this visit, becoming the second University to explore the Iconic Tower and the very first to venture into the twin towers, which marks a significant milestone in its commitment to fostering hands-on learning experiences for its students,” says Aboutaleb. "Such initiatives not only enhance academic knowledge but also provide students with a glimpse into their future careers, bridging the gap between education and real-world applications."