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.

AUC students won first place worldwide in a competition where 65 international university teams had to develop a sustainable alternative to traditional fats and oils, thereby reducing their carbon emissions and detrimental environmental impact. The AUC team created a unicellular microorganism oil prototype that has a zero carbon footprint.

“I’m so passionate about any research that helps alleviate climate change,” said Yasmin Maghraby ‘03, ‘13, ‘21, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. “At first, I thought our idea would be impossible to produce, so seeing it become a reality was so satisfying and gratifying.”

Headed by Maghraby, the AUC team was composed of graduate students Lereen Khaled, Dalia Kanna, Saif El Din Mofty and Louai Hariri. The competition was launched by Savola during an innovation session at the World Food Forum event, “We're supporting You(th). Open Innovation in the Private Sector,” held collaboratively with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The competition was designed to promote the transformation of agrifood systems to be more sustainable, innovative and socially responsible. 

"It was an incredible opportunity to make a tangible impact and witness the positive results of our efforts,” said Khaled. “This achievement fueled my determination and passion to keep making a difference as well as bridge theory and practice for innovative, real-world solutions. It  inspired me to continue pushing boundaries for a better world.”

The networking experience also provided a unique opportunity for the student participants. “This life-changing experience enriched my ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and allowed me to engage with experts from Savola, FAO and fellow participants from different countries who share my passion for sustainability, which expanded my professional network and exposed me to different ideas and perspectives,” added Khaled. 

Participants were challenged to develop an alternative to traditional cooking fats and oils, which are not sustainably produced, providing more effective and eco-friendly substitutes that have similar functional properties but use less quantities of water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the process.

“The Savola competition was one of the greatest opportunities I had as an AUC graduate student,” said Kanna. “Our goal was to search for green edible oil substitutes prepared using green methods. Teamwork was essential -  we held brainstorming sessions, designed plans, discussed strengths and weaknesses of each proposed idea based on the available literature, assigned roles, conducted experiments, analyzed the results and prepared the final presentation. We also built new friendships and were able to work with experts in the field, enhancing our intellectual and practical skills.” 

Tamer Shoeib, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, noted, “This shows clearly our commitment to excellence and the caliber of our students who are able to tackle problems of relevance and create highly impactful solutions to unmet, real-world needs. I am incredibly proud of our AUC team.”