The one-year program offers candidates the chance to gain professional experience across various functions within AUC, and develop their technical and soft skills. The University will assist participants who complete the program in preparing resumes and will provide references to potential employers in Egypt. Some may have the opportunity to stay at AUC if there are suitable vacancies.
"This program reflects AUC’s commitment to fostering diverse, inclusive and accessible learning communities. It is our responsibility to lead by example, and we hope to create a model for others in Egypt and the region.”
AUC will also establish partnerships with Egyptian ministries and NGOs to upskill and offer on-the-job training for people with disabilities in areas such as English-language proficiency, IT development, communication and soft skills to effectively contribute to the local workforce.
“This program reflects AUC’s commitment to fostering diverse, inclusive and accessible learning communities,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “By offering professional development for people with disabilities, we are enriching our campus and doing our part in creating access and opportunities for a diverse talent pool. It is our responsibility to lead by example, and we hope to create a model for others in Egypt and the region.”
“We value the unique contributions of each individual, and this program diversifies our talent pool and breaks barriers to create a strong workforce that reflects the richness of Egyptian society.”
Candidates will be selected through various channels and must meet the program's selection criteria. Enrolled participants will be assigned to different jobs at the University based on their academic qualifications and professional experience.
“This program gives people with disabilities the chance to develop their professional skills at AUC, preparing them for success in the career they pursue through a structured training program and on-the-job training,” said Sarah Refaat, senior associate vice president for human resources. “We value the unique contributions of each individual, and this program diversifies our talent pool and breaks barriers to create a strong workforce that reflects the richness of Egyptian society.”
Find out more about the program details and requirements and how to apply.
The University has launched the People with Disabilities Employee Mentorship and Development Program to provide job opportunities, upskilling, and training for people with disabilities.
A research team led by Distinguished University Professor Hassan Azzazy in the Department of Chemistry developed a novel long-term dual disinfectant formula dubbed NanoGuard. The long-lasting disinfectant, which is now patented in the United States, can be sprayed on common surfaces such as doorknobs, stair rails and elevator buttons to protect them against microbial contamination and prevent the spread of microbes to individuals.
The NanoGuard team consisted of graduate students Saif El-Din Al-Mofty in the chemistry program as well as Obaydah Abd Alkader Alabrahim (MSc ’24) and Jude Majed Lababidi, a nanotechnology master’s student at AUC. “Our success was tied to our synergy. Every objective was lined up, and we worked together to overcome obstacles,” said Al-Mofty.
The team’s disinfectant is unlike others, keeping surfaces clean in the long term without requiring special application procedures. “We designed a new disinfectant that can be easily applied to surfaces and remain active against microbes for at least two weeks,” said Azzazy.
“We designed a new disinfectant that can be easily applied to surfaces and remain active against microbes for at least two weeks.”
The product fills a niche in the world of disinfectant formulas: “Most commercial disinfectants are short term and require repeated application, while current existing long-term disinfectants are expensive and require facility evacuation as well as specialists to apply them,” Azzazy explained.
The team developed a prototype of the disinfectant over the course of one year, first selecting the short-term chemical that would kill germs upon contact and later choosing the long-term chemical. Next, they sought a method to encapsulate the two selected chemicals within nanovesicles and tested the shelf life and stability of the formula during storage. Al-Mofty said, “Once we found the formulation that was stable, clean and easy to apply on surfaces, we proceeded to the next phase of making the product user-friendly.”
The researchers obtained a patent from the United States Patent & Trade Office to protect their intellectual property, and they are currently looking to connect with international manufacturers for possible licensing agreements to produce and later market NanoGuard. “My hope is for NanoGuard to become trusted, well-recognized and capable of protecting homes, universities and families from future pandemics,” said Al-Mofty.
The NanoGuard team was selected as a finalist for the 2024 Johns Hopkins International Healthcare Design Competition. The results of the NanoGuard research were initially published in Nanoscale Advances under the title “A novel long-acting antimicrobial nanomicelle spray.”
