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."

Building on the University's expertise and proven track record in sustainability and its history of excellence in professional education, AUC will offer an Executive Diploma in Sustainability to train and empower 200 Emirati public servants as the United Arab Emirates prepares to host COP28 in November. 

Through a partnership with the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai International Financial Centre Academy and the UAE University Leadership Council, this interdisciplinary program will offer four cohorts the opportunity to gain the essential knowledge, skills and mindset required to take leadership in sustainable initiatives.

“We are honored to be partnering with distinguished colleagues in the UAE who share our common vision for ensuring sustainability is an integral part of the advancement of the Arab world,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal at the signing. 

Prioritizing a deep understanding of the global sustainability challenges the world faces, the two-month Executive Diploma in Sustainability will foster innovation and cultivate a strong sense of environmental responsibility. 

The diploma centers on four sustainability models: 1) sustainability and water, 2) energy and food nexus from a global perspective, 3) energy resources and green economy at the regional level and 4) water productivity for food security and grassroots innovation for water-energy-food challenges. Participants further benefit from immersive site visits in the United Arab Emirates in order to implement the practical knowledge and skills they acquire during their studies.

The program will also serve as a model for further sustainable initiatives. “We draw on AUC’s technical expertise in sustainability and track record in professional education to build with our partners in the UAE a program that can serve as a model for equipping the region’s workforce with skills essential to the future of work.” said President Dallal.

By reflecting on critical global challenges like the evolving landscape of Sustainable Development Goals, ecological awareness, renewable energies and resilience in the face of climate change, participants will gain a broad understanding of strategies to address pressing environmental concerns. Armed with this knowledge, they will be equipped to advocate for sustainable resource usage and create lasting positive impacts across various industries and communities. 

"The Executive Diploma in Sustainability- Dubai program is an enriching opportunity for professionals and graduates alike, honing their expertise to drive sustainability in a rapidly changing world," said Muhammad Khaled, operations manager at the Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability (CARES). "Aligned with AUC's Climate Change Initiative and the commitment of CARES to not only inspire positive change in the MENA region but also catalyze global transformation, this program exemplifies our dedication to shaping a more responsible and sustainable future.”

In 2022, AUC launched a diploma program in sustainable development to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental and social challenges. The diploma –– with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable technologies, and social and environmental policy –– coincided with Egypt's preparations to host the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022.