As an interdisciplinary program co-administered by AUC’s Department of Psychology and Department of Biology, the new behavioral neuroscience minor will allow students to study the relationship between the structure and function of the nervous system with an emphasis on the biological and psychological elements that affect emotions, behavior, learning and memory.
“There has been increasing interest and requests from AUC students for a Neuroscience program,” explains Patricia Correia, assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience in the Department of Psychology. “Internationally, behavioral neuroscience is a growing field, widely represented in top universities and research centers across the world. We believe this minor is an excellent first step towards opening a new, exciting field in Egypt at AUC.”
For students, this minor will provide a new perspective on biology and psychology and create a foundation for admission to graduate or professional programs, primarily for careers involving research, teaching, medicine, consulting and the pharmaceutical industry.
“Through this minor, I am hoping to broaden my knowledge and understanding of how the nervous system functions, and how the brain is involved in everything we think or do,” says Mariam Elnahhas, a biology major. “Hopefully, completing this minor will be a great first step for me to continue to study neuroscience after graduation and possibly make a career out of it someday.”
In terms of research, Jacquelyn Berry, visiting assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, uses behavioral neuroscience to study learning and expertise in humans. “I am super excited about the new minor. It works well with my research and teaching about how people learn and I can focus more on how different brain areas are involved,” Berry states.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded The American University in Cairo (AUC) $86 million for USAID Egyptian Pioneers, a new program that provides scholarships and training to Egyptian students with emphasis on sectors that can advance Egypt’s climate goals. Through a nine-year cooperative agreement, AUC will administer the program in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of International Cooperation, and private and public sector institutions. Prioritizing women’s empowerment, diversity, inclusion and climate resilience, the USAID Egyptian Pioneers will build and develop the capacity of a cross-disciplinary network of public, private and academic entities. The program includes:
Scholarships for at least 700 young Egyptians (50% women) from underserved communities to obtain undergraduate degrees in Egypt
Scholarships for at least 60 midcareer government professionals to obtain master’s degrees in the United States or Egypt
Scholarships for at least 50 midcareer government professionals to pursue postdoctoral studies in the United States
U.S. and Egypt-based technical training for at least 280 midcareer Egyptian government professionals and at least 220 mid-career professionals from non-public entities
AUC President Ahmad Dallal and USAID delegation celebrate signing at COP27
Accordingly, more than 500 Egyptian women will engage in leadership and professional training, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, and study-abroad programs in the United States.
AUC President Ahmad Dallal said, “Leading the USAID Egyptian Pioneers program is a great honor for AUC. We commit to extending our longstanding leadership and excellence in education, capacity development and training to ensure the sustainable integration of the public, private and academic sectors. Egyptian Pioneers will surely leave an enduring impact on Egyptian society, advancing Egypt’s economic development and progress toward its Vision 2030. We thank the U.S. government and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research as we endeavor together on this partnership journey,”
USAID Deputy Mission Director Margaret Sancho stated, “Climate change is an enormous challenge for all people, all over the world. But we also know that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of its impact. Despite this, women and girls are leading climate change solutions in their communities. That is why USAID’s Egyptian Pioneers program will include leadership and professional training, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, and study-abroad programs in the United States for more than 500 Egyptian women."
The United Nations recently announced that the world population has exceeded 8 billion, meaning that 1 billion people have been added to the global population in just 12 years. We spoke with Sungsoo Chun, professor at AUC's Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology, about this milestone, the challenges it poses and its impact on our climate future.
What caused the population rate to skyrocket in the last 12 years?
The countries with the highest population growth since the 1980s have been lower- and middle-income countries. After the world population reached 7 billion around 2010, the populations of low-income countries increased rapidly, and the populations of middle-income countries stayed high. This rapid growth is due to health support programs in low-income countries, along with the improvement in nutritional status and health services for these populations. These programs have significantly reduced the mortality rate of entire populations, including infant mortality. On the other hand, fertility rates remain high, contributing significantly to population growth.
Sungsoo Chun
Is the growth rate slowing? What should we expect the global population to be 10 years from now?
Considering that the population percentage of lower- and middle-income countries accounts for 52% of the world’s population and that the population of high- and upper-middle-income countries is still increasing, population growth over the next 10 years is expected to increase at the same rate as the past 12 years. Although the rate of increase in population is gradually decreasing, it is still expected that the world population will exceed 9 billion in about 10 years.
What is the growth rate in countries like Egypt compared to the global population growth rate?
As of 2021, Egypt's population growth rate is 1.86, which is significantly higher than the average rate of lower- and middle-income countries of 1.34, and higher than the average rate of 1.71 across the MENA region. Looking at this indicator, it seems that for the time being, Egypt's population size has continued to show a rapid growth trend, as it has for the past decade or so. Considering that the population of Egypt as of 2021 was about 104 million and the current population growth rate, the population is expected to exceed 120 million after 10 years.
What are the economic, climate-related and sociological challenges posed by this growth rate?
Population growth is an essential factor in overall economic growth. The relationship between population growth and economic growth is controversial. Low population growth in high-income countries is likely to create social and economic problems, while high population growth in low-income countries may slow their development. In low-income countries, rapid population growth is likely to be detrimental in the short and medium term because it leads to large numbers of dependent children. In the longer run, this population can boost the economy as these young people become productive adults.
But rather than looking at the problems caused by population growth by country, it’s better to approach the issue from the perspective of how many people the Earth can support. Earth's carrying capacity is a critical variable that can determine the future of humankind. There is no disagreement that about 10 to 12 billion people are the limit of the Earth's population support. But it is estimated that the population will exceed 10 billion by 2060, reaching 12 billion by 2100.
What do you predict some of the policy outcomes of this growth rate will be globally?
Population policy is an integrated policy, considering health, economic and social structures, immigration, culture and the environment. Population policy can’t just serve one nation, but the globe. Over the last few decades, population policies were mainly developed case by case for each country's needs. Now we recognize that the population issue isn’t a problem within a single country but a global issue, and we expect population policies to be established globally, taking into account the capacity Earth has to support population growth.
What do you see as the best course of action?
Since the impacts of population policy aren’t felt for a long period of time, it’s essential to unify our global policymaking by taking future projections into account. Beyond religious, cultural, social and economic perspectives, integrated policies to save the entire Earth must be discussed and practiced
AUC delegation at the Afretec Inaugural Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University Africa
AUC is the only University representing Egypt and Northeast Africa in the newly established African Engineering and Technology (Afretec) Network, a collaboration between African universities to drive inclusive digital transformation across the continent.
Focusing on fostering collaboration across Africa in areas related to information and communications technology, the network was created to support initiatives that address three main pillars: teaching enhancement, knowledge creation and pathways to opportunities (entrepreneurship). AUC will contribute to the network’s activities through joint training, collaborative research, sharing best practices, and student/staff/faculty mobility, among others.
Karim Seddik
The network’s creation could not be more timely, with Egypt and much of Africa in the midst of massive digitization campaigns. “The aim is to create dignified jobs in the emerging African technology market,” said Karim Seddik, professor and associate dean for graduate studies and research at AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering. “This is done through activities focused on teaching, research and entrepreneurship across the network members.”
According to Seddik, the collaboration will involve AUC undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines through competitions, training, topical workshops and research projects, to name a few. “While the focus of the network is information and communications technology, solutions from this field of work can be applied to many sectors, such as health, agriculture and transportation — so the collaboration will greatly benefit from all of AUC’s disciplines.”
After a rigorous review of the University’s research capacity and resources, as well as a site visit from Carnegie Mellon University Africa, AUC was selected to join the network, which currently consists of seven universities and will only grow by three more.
“This collaboration will strengthen AUC’s ties with other African universities, leading to more opportunities,” Seddik said. “Afretec will be a great tool for exploring collaboration inside Africa on many fronts. The network will also provide many funding schemes to support its members to produce regional and international impact.”
Inclusive digital transformation, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s 2021 Development Co-operation Report,“is ensuring that digital technologies are universally available, accessible and adopted and that they enable meaningful and safe use of the internet and digital services for all.” It also considers, protects and empowers vulnerable and underrepresented populations, striving to eliminate inequality while working to meet a country’s digital transformation goals.
The Afretec Inaugural Conference, hosted by CMU-Africa in Kigali, Rwanda earlier this month, gathered faculty members and staff from participating universities. “The event was amazing. It was an eye-opening experience for all of us — the potential of this network and our collaboration with African peers is expected to have a huge impact on AUC,” said Seddik.
The first of its kind in Egypt, Eltoukhy Learning Factory for Innovation and Entrepreneurship brings together AUC students, faculty, entrepreneurs and industry. It will help students strengthen their multi-disciplinary and problem-solving skills, preparing them for careers in diverse professional sectors. Modelled on learning factories at other universities worldwide, the Eltoukhy Learning Factory will be located in AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering on the New Cairo campus.
Made possible through the generous support of AUC Trustee Atef Helmy Eltoukhy '74 and Fofa Eltoukhy, the Eltoukhy Learning Factory is a new innovative teaching and workshop environment to allow students to take ideas from the classroom and develop creative solutions to real-world problems.
“This region presents complex challenges not limited to one professional sector or industry,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “We are extremely grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Eltoukhy for this transformational gift, which will create a unique collaborative and multi-disciplinary learning environment at AUC. We are excited to see the entrepreneurship and creative projects that will result.”
As part of their “capstone projects” at the culmination of their studies, students will be empowered to develop their ideas, and bring them to fruition, by accessing the resources of the Eltoukhy Learning Factory and the expertise of AUC faculty. It will combine classroom teaching, hands-on learning and teamwork, and real-life applications. The students will also benefit from interaction with representatives from industry and other sectors that may bring partnerships or industry-sponsored challenges.
“My family and I are proud to have had a long association with AUC” said Eltoukhy. "As Egypt's leading university, AUC plays a critically important role in preparing the next generation of leaders and problem solvers. It is essential that we provide them with the links to real-world problems and industry, well before they graduate. We are pleased to be able to support those experiences, and give students an opportunity to fully explore their ideas, and to realize projects through the Learning Factory."
If students are to have the competitive skills and knowledge that are required upon graduation, they will need experience with the latest technology and equipment. The Eltoukhy Learning Factory will allow students to develop their projects, benefiting from state-of-the-art equipment and diverse tools. The Factory will feature new equipment such as laser cutting, bench-top Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, waterjet, and 3D printing. Additional equipment will include various electronic control and testing equipment, and Internet of Things capabilities. The students will be supported by AUC faculty members from diverse departments including computer engineering, electronics and communications engineering, and mechanical engineering. Other AUC disciplines may also be involved, including arts and graphic design.
AUC graduates have a strong track record of generating successful startups. The Eltoukhy Learning Factory will be closely linked to the AUC Venture Lab that will help prototype startup ideas, and transform successful projects into new startups. AUC’s newly developed Virtual Reality lab will also be integrated with the Learning Factory, to allow for virtual prototyping prior to fabrication and testing.
An AUC Trustee, Eltoukhy is an Egyptian-American entrepreneur, former University of Southern California professor, scientist and the Founder and Chairman of Aurum Capital Management, an investment management firm. Eltoukhy has also authored many patents and publications in semiconductor and magnetic thin film technology. He is Chairman of the Eltoukhy Family Foundation, and he and his family have been philanthropic supporters of education in Egypt and the United States.
Dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering Lotfi Gaafar, said, “We are very excited about the new Eltoukhy Learning Factory for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It will significantly improve students’ experiential learning through expert supervision and better access to materials, tools, and equipment. This promises to have a substantial impact on students in the various sciences and engineering majors, and those from other disciplines across the University.”
Describing the transformative impact of the lab, Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Turnage said: “The Eltoukhy Learning Factory draws upon international best practices. It will empower our students and enable AUC to remain at the forefront of innovation and practice in Egypt, and relevant to the needs of industry. We are very appreciative of this visionary gift from Atef and Fofa Eltoukhy.”
Downtown Cairo is many things: a hub for Egyptian history, a home of historic and modern restaurants and shops, and the heart of a massive transportation network that extends all the way to the city’s desert suburbs.
Cairo Bike is Egypt's first public bike sharing program
A major collaboration between AUC, UN-Habitat, the University of Sheffield, Sereira Creative Arts Academy and Cairo NGO Alwan-wa-Awtar is trying to change this.
Launched last month, Cairo Bike is Egypt’s first public bike share project organized by the Cairo governorate in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Drosos Foundation. The bikes offer a low-cost alternative for commuters and joyriders alike, whether they are zipping through traffic to work or leisurely touring the area’s historic and cultural sights.
Cairo Bike is unique from other bike and scooter-sharing systems in Cairo because its launch has challenged the city to re-examine its infrastructure and make changes to reduce traffic and improve air quality. A stroll down one of the city’s main arterials, Talaat Harb, shows that such changes are happening: the street has a newly established bike lane.
With the city invested, the bikes on the ground and the lanes growing each day, the project appears to be a success. What still needs improvement, according to project owners, is critical buy-in from Cairenes that will increase the project’s longevity in comparison to other bikeshare programs in the MENA region. Cue AUC’s entrance, with students working to enhance the project’s impact, safety and inclusivity as part of an Urban Design course taught by Momen El-Husseiny, assistant professor in the Department of Architecture. This work included a weeklong international workshop developed by the University of Sheffield’s Live Projects program, with master’s students from Sheffield’s architecture program joining El-Husseiny’s students.
“We are examining how we can encourage more people to ride bikes, as well as how to create a judgment-free zone for women to comfortably use the bikes without experiencing harassment,” said Nayer Salah, an architecture senior at AUC and student in El-Husseiny’s course.
Better Together
Using AUC Tahrir Square as a main hub, Salah took part in a three-day exploration of downtown Cairo alongside master’s students from the University of Sheffield and young people representing Alwan wa Awtar NGO. Together, the groups conducted interviews with local residents and shop owners to gather their input and insights on the bike share project.
The groups were guided by AUC’s Center for Learning and Teaching, which led pre- and post- sessions on design thinking, a creative problem-solving approach that seeks to effectively address complex issues.
“This is not just about bikes or bike stations; it is about community engagement, civic outreach and connection,” El-Husseiny explained. “We focus on developing areas that can become magnets for social and economic development, creating job opportunities and possibilities for the people. This is a city for all.”
Students and faculty from AUC and University of Sheffield at the launch of Cairo Bike
Later, at AUC New Cairo, the groups convened to reflect and make recommendations for convenient, inclusive and safe bike paths for users.
“This project is another example of how our AUC students are capable of confronting difficult situations and real life projects,” ElHusseiny said. “They're amazing, they're superb and their steadfastness is incredible. We are so proud that they are being upfront and taking the lead. This is how we aspire to make a change.”
The collaboration’s efforts were realized in late October at the official launch of Cairo Bike in Tahrir Square, where AUC and Sheffield students, along with their professors, took the orange bikes for a celebratory spin.
“Working on this was spectacular,” Salah said. “It was great to add to this project, and even better to see our effort and research pay off. It’s just a dream come true.
T-Minus 3…2…1… Prepare for liftoff with Sara Sabry ‘16, who became the first Egyptian Astronaut after flying to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket in August this year. This historical flight also makes her the first Arab woman and first African woman to launch into the obsidian sky, despite having not reached her 30th birthday.
Sara Sabry is the first Egyptian to go to space
Photo courtesy of Blue Origin Media
Sabry’s trip to the stars allowed her to experience the “Overview Effect,” which is a shift in perspective that happens to astronauts when they leave the Earth and are able to see the planet from afar. “Seeing Earth from space was the most profound experience of my life,” Sabry recalls, describing the planet standing out brightly against the “vast darkness of space.” She continued: “I had seen pictures of Earth from space before, but seeing it in person was completely different. It totally changed how I view the world, my priorities, and most of all, the scale of everything.”
Up Up and Away
As Sabry saw Earth floating in the vastness of space for the first time, she recalls feeling confused. “I think the human brain struggles to process such a view in real life - and if you think about it, it makes sense because we have not biologically evolved to see it with our own eyes,” she said.
When asked about pre-takeoff nerves, Sabry responded, “To be honest, I wasn’t afraid when I was in my seat at takeoff. Sitting on top of a rocket for the first time, I felt excited, ready, and calm. Preparation is key, but in the back of my mind, I also felt like all of Egypt was coming with me.”
Sabry says the experience made her realize that the idea that there is “Earth” as a separate entity from “space” is flawed. “As you lift off, there’s a reflection of fire on the window, you feel the rocket move beneath you, you watch the sky turn from blue to purple to black and suddenly, you’re in space,” Sabry states. “But you didn't really leave anything. Space and Earth, it’s all interconnected.”
Her goal is to extend this opportunity to as many people as possible. “How am I one of only 621 people from all of humanity to have seen this?” Sabry said, describing her emotions upon returning to Earth. “The first thing I said when I came back to Earth was that everyone has to experience this — the universe belongs to all of us.”
Preparing to Launch
With a bachelor’s from AUC in mechanical engineering and a master’s in biomedical engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Sabry was selected among 7000 applicants from all over the world for the citizen astronaut program by Space for Humanity, an organization which offers spaceflights to expand the horizons of leaders who show potential for enacting global change. The program trained Sabry for the experience, highlighting the potential physical dangers and psychological stressors.
“They trained me mentally for this. I knew it wasn’t without risk; sitting on a rocket is inherently dangerous, so the crew members and I needed to accept any and all potential outcomes,” she explains.
Sabry’s training as an astronaut began long before Space for Humanity, however. In 2021 she became Egypt’s first female analog astronaut after a two-week moon mission simulation. She has also completed the IIAS astronaut training program at FloridaTech, making her the first Egyptian woman qualified to conduct research in suborbital space. Initially finding it difficult to get her foot in the door of the space world, Sabry clocked in several hours before and after her full-time job in Berlin to pursue her dream. “I would wake up at 4 am, get my workout done by 5:30 am, work on my bioastronautics research from 6 am to 9 am and then go to work. At 6 pm, I would have dinner and then quickly jump on international calls for a couple of hours before heading to bed at 8 pm. This lifestyle is not for everyone, but it was necessary. Founding a company while holding a full-time job is not easy, but if you believe in the cause, anything is possible.”
Wanting to remove the barriers that she herself experienced, Sabry founded Deep Space Initiative, a non-profit company that aims to increase accessibility in the space field by providing opportunities in research and education.
In addition to being an astronaut, engineer, CEO and founder, Sabry is currently conducting her PhD research on planetary spacesuits at the University of North Dakota and is co-founder of The Egyptian Space Agency's Ambassador program. Since coming back from space, Sabry has also been working on projects that could potentially have large scale impact in Egypt, which she will be announcing soon.
Glowing with passion for paving the way for future space explorers, she said: “It’s not about being the first one in space, it’s about opening the door for others to follow,” Sabry explains. “We need more people with different perspectives, training and backgrounds to work on the issues that are stopping us from becoming a multi-planetary species. That’s why I’m committed to making this field more accessible. I hope people can finally see themselves represented in space, and know that no matter where they are from, they belong here too.”
Hassan Azzazy, distinguished University professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, has been honored for his extensive work in the field of biochemistry with the Distinguished Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and a Doctor of Science from Alexandria University, in addition to being elected chair of the National Committee of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in Egypt.
The highly prestigious award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation includes a one-year invitation and grant to conduct research at the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies in Jena, Germany. Azzazy’s research addresses a wide array of global health and environmental challenges by creating diagnostic tests and biosensors for disease detection, developing new medicines, designing chemosensors for monitoring heavy metals and improving wound care.
Azzazy was also awarded a Doctor of Science from his alma mater, Alexandria University, in recognition of his overall research productivity and scientific contributions made since he received his PhD from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in biomedical sciences.
In his position as chair of the National Committee of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in Egypt, Azzazy works with a committee to lead national efforts in developing research and teaching activities in biochemistry, molecular biology and related disciplines.
He also coordinates collaborations with similar regional and international societies, such as a recent symposium on “drug delivery nanocarriers,” which was attended by 200 participants from research institutions from all over Egypt.
