Stepping into the Rare Books and Special Collections Library feels like traveling back in time — or discovering a secret treasure trove. From centuries-old manuscripts to hidden gems of Egyptian history, the library is home to a remarkable collection exceeding 150,000 items, in addition to expansive archives that stretch across 2 kilometers of documented history.

But how much do you really know about AUC’s Rare Books and Special Collections Library? Tucked away on the third floor of the Main Library, the archives open up a world of research and discovery. Eman Morgan, assistant director of special projects, electronic media and professional development at the Rare Books and Special Collections Library, debunks common myths and highlights how students can engage with the archives beyond the classroom.

Misconception: AUC’s rare books collection is inaccessible; important books are locked away from the public.

Fact: The collection holds plenty of primary sources, not just items that require strict security. On the third floor, with the help of a specialized librarian, students can interact directly with photographs, maps, correspondence and historical magazines. Many items are indexed and digitized, searchable both online and in person. Research consultants are available, and students can use digitization services — including professional and 3D cameras — for presentations and exhibitions.

Misconception: The archives are freezing.

Fact: Only rare materials from the 16th to the 19th century are kept in climate-controlled areas, which aren’t accessible to students. Most of the archives are comfortable to study in, with cozy reading spots, study rooms and large glass windows that fill the space with sunlight.

Misconception: Research outcomes are only submitted to instructors for grades.

Fact: Student work is showcased beyond the classroom. The library features exhibitions for class and thesis projects and provides curation support so students can display their work year-round, benefiting peers and guiding future assignments.

Misconception: Oversized materials are difficult to handle.

Fact: The library houses many large items: architectural drawings, historical maps and 19th-century atlases. However, these materials are being digitized and cataloged, which makes them accessible online 
to everyone. 

Misconception: The art collection only includes visual media. 

Fact: The collection is extensive, featuring oral histories of artists transcribed and translated in the digital library. Their oral testimonies alongside interviews with family members have revealed rich insights into 20th-century Egyptian artists and cinematographers.

Graduating from AUC with a degree in psychology and minors in business and theatre, Ibrahim has launched head first into a multifaceted career, combining her love for helping others with the skills she’s gained throughout her education.

At AUC, Ibrahim got to try out a wide range of passions through the freedom of the liberal arts education. After graduating, she continued to take this love for multifaceted fields into her professional, academic, and personal life. She went on to get her Master of Education and Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Columbia’s Teachers College in New York City. While there, she started working as the programs and research coordinator for the Principles for Responsible Management Education team, a United Nations Global Compact initiative.

“It was the perfect position for me, as it focused on a little bit of business and also on psychology,” she explained. “We analyzed how we could bring a positive psychology lens into higher management education. Essentially, we were finding ways to make business schools more fun.”

Her work as a researcher for the United Nations took her around the world, from working across the United States to attending conferences across the U.S., Denmark and South Africa. After two years aiding the team, Ibrahim left her official position to pursue her true passion: psychology, working as an associate psychotherapist for the Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling.

“I really enjoy what I do now, and I still have so much room to make an impact,” Ibrahim assured. “I really want to primarily focus on working with Middle Eastern and Arab communities because I speak Arabic fluently and can provide that care to them with that cultural sensitivity. Coming here and being away from Egypt, I want to be next to my community. I like talking to people and helping them. It's what I feel like I'm good at, and it's what I try to do.”

Ibrahim is still actively engaged in research, however, as she’s helping to contribute to a book on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a publication date set for 2028.

Even with her blossoming life in New York, Ibrahim has not forgotten where she came from. It’s been almost a decade since Ibrahim started at AUC, but her college experience still has a profound effect. “Going to AUC was honestly a no brainer for me,” Ibrahim explained. “It gave me the courage to go after what I want and set me up on this path toward success.”

Her journey at AUC was bisected by COVID-19, but despite the confines of the pandemic, Ibrahim still took advantage of every opportunity available. She started off on the basketball team and eventually found her passion for theatre. Living on campus, she was able to become fully immersed in the campus community, from friends to extracurriculars to a wide range of classes.

“Coming in, I wasn't so sure about what I wanted to do,” Ibrahim explained. “So that's what I really liked about AUC; I was able to take such a diverse array of classes at a liberal arts school, like philosophy, English, anthropology, sociology; in addition to exploring psychology, business, and theatre classes and everything in between.”

“In all of this, I feel like AUC gave me a very well-rounded foundation,” she expressed. “It helped me a lot in my job: I was able to function in an area that was more business-oriented, but in a psychology-oriented way. I was also able to bring my theatre skills, my fun and my play into it. I could put on all my hats at the same time and use all my skills. So I really am grateful to AUC for all the opportunities it gave me and helped me develop this wonderful, balanced life.”

When companies pledge to “go green,” are they really committed? The answer is not always yes, according to Sebastian Ille, associate professor of economics. 

Can data be sexist? Can artificial intelligence discriminate? As AI has rapidly evolved over the past decade, researchers have revealed how biased data can disproportionately harm women and marginalized groups. Through the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business and its flagship initiative, the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI, Nagla Rizk ’83, ’87, professor of economics and founding director of A2K4D, leads the Feminist AI Research Network’s MENA hub. The network works to develop inclusive AI systems that create opportunities while addressing inequality.

Al Hussein Ahmed is an electronics and communications engineering sophomore. He volunteers as a student ambassador at AUC, conducting campus tours and actively participating in community events at the University, including orientation and commencement. He is an active member of Resala AUC and the Anti-Cancer Team student organizations and is a peer moderator in the First-Year Experience program. 

What drives you?

Meaning and purpose drive me. I believe I have a unique skill set that could serve a specific purpose, but I won’t discover it without trying new things. Everything I do contributes to that search, which gives my life a sense of meaning beyond simply existing. 

What do you find yourself thinking about the most?

I think a lot about what comes next. Stillness without intention feels like letting life pass by. It’s not about fear of missing out but about using my time meaningfully. Days are irretrievable, and I want to have truly lived them.

How do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered for the work I leave behind and the impact I make, for contributing something meaningful.

What is the biggest decision you have made?

Choosing AUC has been my biggest decision so far. I had planned to pursue my bachelor’s abroad, but I chose to stay in Egypt with my family while attending a highly ranked university — allowing me to balance both personal and academic priorities.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Pursuing perfection doesn’t always lead to it. Sometimes, tunnel vision takes away from other experiences. Repetition matters, but it reaches a point of diminishing returns. You only recognize it when you step back and see what you may have sacrificed.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Ferrero Rocher.

Favorite movie?

Pulp Fiction.

Who are your role models?

My parents.

What's your biggest strength?

Trial and error.

From the plains of Kansas to the lush river deltas of southern Senegal, Mark Deets, assistant professor of African and world history in the Sultan Al-Qasimi Department of History and director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Center for American Studies and Research, seeks to understand how history and geography inform politics. A naval pilot turned historian, Deets has a rich diplomatic background that has helped him uncover the spatial history of West Africa, culminating in his debut award-winning book, A Country of Defiance: Mapping the Casamance in Senegal. 

Wedding bells chime through AUC New Cairo once a year: the campus wedding for orphaned women hosted by Volunteers in Action (VIA), a student-run organization established in 1996 that targets the welfare of orphans in Cairo. From providing gehaz (household items) to coordinating venues and decorations, AUC students play a key role in creating a magical celebration for these brides.

“Students who participate in the VIA wedding describe it as one of the most meaningful and emotional experiences of their University journey,” said Ahmed Tawfik, construction engineering senior and VIA president. “Many are moved by the direct impact they can see — months of preparation culminating in a single day of joy for the couples. It shifts their perspective on volunteering from a task-based activity to a deeply personal experience, where they witness the tangible difference they can make in someone’s life.”

The first wedding hosted at AUC took place in 2005, supporting women who had grown up at orphanages in Cairo. At the time, the Housing and Supplies Committee noticed that many orphaned women were getting married shortly after Eid, often without the means to celebrate properly. This insight led Marwa Yahya, then head of housing, to organize a collective wedding ceremony for three brides.

Since then, the initiative has grown into a yearly tradition. The wedding itself typically includes three to five brides, with the largest wedding hosting seven. The support VIA offers also includes providing essential household items for up to 30 brides annually. The initiative has evolved from only offering material support to creating a full wedding experience.

“It is not just about meeting material needs but about restoring dignity, creating joy and fostering a sense of belonging.”

For students involved in organizing the annual wedding, the process extends far beyond a single day. They spend months prepping for the big event and securing sponsors for various aspects of the ceremony. They coordinate hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, DJs and performers, while also supplying the household items to help couples begin married life comfortably. Through this, they gain valuable skills not only as volunteers but also as event planners and fundraisers. 

“Student involvement is at the heart of the VIA wedding,” shared Mariam Elyyan, business marketing senior and VIA vice president.

While students play a central role in planning and funding the weddings, the wants and wishes of the brides remain equally important. Brides are involved in many aspects of the planning and choose elements of the setup such as dresses, styling and decor. Having a say in their wedding day helps ensure it still feels personal and meaningful.

This year, two women from Dar El Fath orphanage were married in a heartfelt ceremony on a warm evening in late March. Students shared the emotional milestone, held at The Allam Amphitheater on the New Cairo campus. The couples cut their cakes, took photos and danced long into the night. 

“It is not just about meeting material needs but about restoring dignity, creating joy and fostering a sense of belonging,” Elyyan added. “For the wider community, it highlights the power of collective action and reinforces the importance of supporting vulnerable groups in a holistic and compassionate way.”

AUC President Ahmad Dallal also attended the ceremony, sharing his well wishes for the couples. “On behalf of the University, I would like to first congratulate our wonderful couples … wishing you a blessed and happy life together,” he said. “Second, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Volunteers in Action, Dr. Dina Rateb and the Office of Student Life for their outstanding efforts in organizing this meaningful wedding as part of their civic engagement initiatives. Your dedication, compassion and commitment to serving the community truly reflect the values we strive to uphold.”