When economics major Seif El Rashidi ’95, ’99 found himself in a class on modern and contemporary architecture through AUC’s liberal arts education, he had no idea his career trajectory would be changing forever. His passion for the history of architecture was ignited, and although he completed his bachelor’s degree in economics, he went on to pursue his master’s in the field of Islamic art and architecture. Today, he serves as the director of the Barakat Trust, a UK-based charity working to preserve cultural heritage from the Islamic world across the globe.

“I was intrigued by art history, especially the idea of tradition and how it evolves,” El Rashidi elaborated on his pathway into the field of cultural preservation. “It was a way of thinking about my own identity through the lens of architecture. Living in England, I’m still very tied to my Egyptian heritage, and it informs much of my work.”

“Our mission is to build the capacity of people with links to the heritage of the Islamic world — to preserve and understand it, and to raise awareness of its importance.”

The Barakat Trust is a grant-giving organization that funds projects to protect, promote and study the art, architecture and heritage of the Islamic world. The organization provides scholarships and conservation grants, as well as offers heritage-based consultancy through its network of experts. “We’re concerned with the Islamic world at large, more than just the Middle East,” he stated.

El Rashidi has worked with everything from the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art in Honolulu to the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah.

“Our mission is to build the capacity of people with links to the heritage of the Islamic world — to preserve and understand it, and to raise awareness of its importance,” El Rashidi explained. “We provide funding to promote education, create the next generation of preservation experts and ensure equity across developing and established organizations alike.” 

El Rashidi reflected on how important it was for him as a young man to have opportunities to work on heritage preservation projects. He worked on the archives of Hassan Fathy at AUC and helped Professor Bernard O’Kane on a project focused on documenting inscriptions in Cairo’s monuments.

Studying in Cairo also had a profound effect on El Rashidi, showing him the ways work in the field can produce meaningful outcomes. “At AUC, the city of Cairo was right outside my door. It was incredible, getting to see the material culture I was studying and meeting people with passion and personal anecdotes about architecture.” He joked, “If it weren’t for these opportunities, I might still be somewhere working in economics.”

Nonetheless, his economic background has come in handy. As the director of the Barakat Trust, having an understanding of business has been incredibly helpful. “I learned all about managing a team while letting colleagues shine and be creative in their own ways. That’s my favorite part of the job: inspiring creativity and finding out-of- the-box solutions.”

El Rashidi also credits his Egyptian background for helping him navigate the international community. “Being from Egypt makes me resourceful and able to find ways to overcome obstacles,” he shared. “It also gives me an understanding of different government organizations and NGOs operating internationally. I’m able to empathize with many of the obstacles that my colleagues in more challenging environments face. In my role, it’s essential that I understand what it’s like promoting heritage preservation in all contexts.”

El Rashidi hopes AUCians living both in Egypt and abroad will continue to be curious about heritage preservation and the ways to care for culture in a world obsessed with globalization. “Knowledge is important for heritage preservation,” he explained. “Keep being curious and investing in your community. Buy crafts from local artisans, and visit places that are culturally significant. Take random classes on architecture, just like I did. History is a part of everyone’s identity. The best thing you can do for heritage preservation is to understand your own background and traditions, and how they connect to the world around you.”

Could a robot have painted the Mona Lisa? Will AI ever be the next Van Gogh? Brenda Segone is asking these very questions as she analyzes what it means for a machine learning model to “create” art.

Many students believe they must have their career path fully mapped out before graduating — but does it have to be? Maha El Moslemany ’03, senior director of AUC’s Career Center, challenges the idea that students must have a fixed path before graduation and offers guidance for navigating the twists and turns of today’s job market.

Misconception: Students need a fixed career plan before finishing university.

Fact: Careers are no longer linear. In today’s dynamic job market, graduates may pivot multiple times. Statistics suggest people change roles three to seven times across their careers. A student’s major doesn’t dictate their path; what matters most are the knowledge and skills they gain and how they communicate them professionally.

A student’s major doesn’t dictate their path; what matters most are the knowledge and skills they gain and how they communicate them professionally.

Misconception: Focusing on one career goal means you can’t explore other options.

Fact: Career exploration and experiential learning are essential through job shadowing, campus events like Career Circles or employer information sessions and early externships. Internships, volunteering, competitions and co-ops help students clarify what they don’t want, narrow their options and focus on two or three concrete career paths.

Misconception: Technical skills alone make students employable.

Fact: Across industries, human skills are just as important as tech and digital literacy. Emotional intelligence, professionalism, leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and career self-management are constantly in demand, giving students the adaptability and resilience to succeed across roles, sectors and transitions.

Across industries, human skills are just as important as tech and digital literacy.

Misconception: Universities can’t prepare students for careers unless they know exactly what they want.

Fact: Students can start exploring careers from day one. Universities can prioritize career and world readiness, embedding them inside and outside the classroom through early self-assessment, field exposure, labor market insights, reflective assignments, structured internships and networking. This allows students to test options without pressure to have all the answers.

Mohamed Salah, better known as Tata, is a familiar and beloved presence in AUC’s theatre program, where he supports students, actors and directors as a housekeeping and support aide. Guided by deep devotion, Tata approaches his work — and life — with care, consistency and quiet pride.

What drives you?

What keeps me going is my sense of responsibility and my faith in God. I strive
every day for my three children — two daughters and a son — so I can give them the best possible education and opportunities in life.

What do you find yourself thinking about the most?

I think about my kids constantly. I worry about their future and the world we live in,
especially since they live away from me. But I make sure to stay connected, speaking with
them every day through WhatsApp, video calls or phone.

I think about my kids constantly. I worry about their future and the world we live in...

What is the biggest decision you have made?

Maintaining my prayers since I was a child has been the most important decision of my life. Starting my day with prayer gives me peace and positivity.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I wish I had completed my education. I only finished high school, and I had hoped to become a mechanical engineer one day. 

How do you want to be remembered?

I want people to remember the good I tried to do in my life and to keep me in their prayers. I also want to leave behind a good legacy at AUC. I love it here. There is nothing that I don’t like at the University; it’s actually my second home. I see the students as my siblings.

I want people to remember the good I tried to do in my life...

Picture a mangrove emerging from salty coastal zones, its thin bark rises like fingers out of the shallow waters, its strong roots protecting the vulnerable shorelines from erosion, its unique habitat promoting biodiversity. Mangrove forests take in additional carbon dioxide from the surrounding air, sequestering five times more carbon than standard trees and locking it into the soil. Egypt’s Red Sea is one of the few habitats with the right conditions for mangrove forests, yet without sustained local interest or investment, these ecosystems have slowly started to disappear. The mangrove’s potential for economic, environmental and community growth has been forgotten.

That is, until 2021, when a group of researchers from AUC’s Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability (CARES) wondered: What if these communities could help bring the mangroves back?

The Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Model (MERS) was born not just to replant mangroves, but to root their survival within the community itself.

A benefit concert by Egyptian musician Omar Khairat held by AUC’s Volunteers in Action (VIA) student organization inspired Yasmine El Hagry ’04 to work with orphans after graduation. 

“I learned a lot as a member of VIA, not only about orphans and serving others, but also about how we face our failures and challenges and how we work together despite the fact that we might be different,” said the journalism and mass communication alumna who is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration from AUC.

Today, El Hagry is the executive director of Sanad for Orphans, a nongovernmental organization that provides alternative care solutions from early childhood through young adulthood. She was named by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility among the 100 Sustainability Champions in the Middle East and North Africa in 2023 and 2024 and as one of the most influential Arab figures in corporate social responsibility and sustainability in 2022. 

“You nurture their talent. You help them learn how to present their ideas, thoughts and challenges — to understand themselves.” 

In the shade of the grandiose Ibn Tulun Mosque, a group of AUC students took in the stone facade and intricate detail. AUC Arabic classes — Hebatallah Salem’s Modern Standard Arabic and Shahira Yacourt’s Egyptian Colloquial Arabic — came together to learn about community empowerment initiatives in the Al-Khalifa neighborhood surrounding the mosque, aiming to lend a hand to the community in their efforts toward urban regeneration, economic advancement and heritage preservation.