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President's Statements

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February 2, 2025

From: AUC President
Subject: Response to Funding Suspension

We have a long-standing commitment to ensuring that no continuing student is forced to leave the University due to an inability to pay. Last week, 200 of our current students had their scholarship funding suspended, pending review. Within 48 hours, we informed our students — some only in their first semester at AUC, others in their last, and everything in between — that we would cover their tuition, housing and educational expenses for Spring 2025. We will offset the cost for the spring semester through budget savings and fundraising because of our deep commitment to the education and well-being of our students.

Full Statement

December 2, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: A Transformative Gift: AUC’s School of Business to be Named in Honor of Onsi Sawiris

I write to share the exciting news that AUC received the single largest philanthropic gift in the University’s history to support excellence in business education, interdisciplinary research and a deeper understanding of global business trends through exchange programs with leading American universities.

Full Statement

November 27, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: Staff Training and Development Program

Over the past year, we’ve been in discussions around the need to revitalize AUC’s approach to staff training and development. There is no question that our people are the University’s most valuable asset, despite our awe-inspiring campuses in New Cairo and Tahrir. Dedicated, service-minded and efficient staff colleagues are the essential enablers for all aspects of our academic enterprise.

Full Statement

November 7, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: Culture of Care: Updates on New Initiatives

As I indicated in my message at the start of the year, we are progressing in many areas of our Strategic Priorities Roadmap. Today, I write to share several initiatives — part of AUC’s unique culture of care — that strengthen our ability to be an inclusive University that fosters belonging and supports wellbeing.

Full Statement

September 1, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: Welcome to Fall 2024

Welcome to the new academic year. For those of you who are returning, please join me in welcoming to campus all of the newcomers from among our students, faculty and staff. Our diverse community is at the core of AUC’s strength, and we are pleased to see so many new faces on campus. I look forward to meeting everyone in the weeks ahead and invite you to make full use of the opportunities to engage in our vibrant campus life.

Full Statement

May 27, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: End-of-Year Message

This academic year has brought significant achievements and important milestones, along with economic challenges and a tragic humanitarian crisis in Gaza that continues to unfold. Through it all, the strength, resilience and compassion of the AUC community was on full display.

Full Statement

March 28, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: President’s Service Excellence Award

We are pleased to announce the President's Service Excellence Award Program to recognize and celebrate exemplary service among AUC staff members.

Full Statement

January 30, 2024

From: AUC President
Subject: One-Time Bonus

I write to share with you that we will be making a one-time payment in the February payroll to support our employees facing increasing financial pressures.

Full Statement

 

Previous Statements

October 18, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Message from the President

Today, hundreds of our students organized a demonstration on campus in solidarity with the Palestinian people and showed their outrage at the atrocities taking place in Gaza, in particular the horrific bombing of a hospital yesterday. I, along with the provost and other senior leaders, went to Bassily Auditorium to support our students and listen to their views and expectations of the University.

Full Statement

October 5, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Campus 2026, Partnerships and Plans

The president shares key areas of focus and milestones for this year. Among the many other initiatives across each of the schools and departments, president Dallal mentions the campus development plan "Campus 2026" , international collaboration updates and the news on eliminating single-use plastics on campus

Full Statement

September 3, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Welcome to Fall 2023

For those of you who are returning, welcome back to campus and to the start of a new academic year. As you see newcomers navigating their way this week, please extend to them the warmth and hospitality that are the hallmarks of Egyptian culture and the AUC spirit of care.

Full Statement

July 25, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Condolences: Molly Bartlett

With a heavy heart, I write to share the news of the passing of Molly Bartlett on Sunday. Ms. Bartlett played a leading role in AUC’s history and was instrumental during the formative years as the University navigated the challenges of the 1960s.

Full Statement

June 1, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: End-of-Year Message: Celebrating Success

This academic year has not been without challenges. Before I get to those, I want to start by thanking all of the members of the AUC community who continued to forge ahead in making our University standout on the national and regional stage. I am proud of all of your accomplishments and honored to be part of a community dedicated to striving for excellence in everything we do. The examples are far too many to list here, but I will share three key achievements this academic year.

Full statement

May 19, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Appointment of Dr. Tarek Shawki as University Counselor

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tarek Shawki, former Minister of Education and Technical Education, as the new University Counselor.

Full statement

May 19, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Bidding Farewell to University Counselor Dr. Mohamed Hamza

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tarek Shawki, former Minister of Education and Technical Education, as the new University Counselor.

Full statement

March 22, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Managing Today; Reaching for Tomorrow

This semester has seen a whirlwind of activity, new initiatives and achievements by many individuals of our community. Despite the turbulent start to the semester with another devaluation, our community has demonstrated resilience and a deep commitment to continuing to advance and excel.

Full statement

January 24, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Employee Support and Update on Devaluation Impact

This is a follow-up to my earlier messages about the impact of the most recent devaluation on the various members of our community. In addition to the range of interventions we announced to support our students with tuition for the spring semester, we will be processing a one-time payment for staff and a few eligible faculty in the February 2023 payroll to help mitigate some of the impact of the devaluation.

Full statement

January 17, 2023

From: AUC President
Subject: Tuition Support and Updates on Devaluation Impact

On Thursday of last week, I wrote to the community to share our early thinking around the impact of the recent devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

Full statement

December 22, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: End of Year Message

Looking back on 2022, AUC has many accomplishments that reflect the unique capabilities and top caliber of our faculty, students and staff. They are an expression of your passion, unwavering spirit of service and strong sense of community. Eager for the return to the first fully normal post-COVID semester, our campus this year was bursting once again with student activities, international conferences and visitors, sports competitions, alumni gatherings, and a wide range of events.

Full statement

October 31, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Updates on Devaluation Impact

As we announced on Thursday, we are working to assess the full impact of the recent EGP devaluation on all aspects of our operation and on various members of our community.

Full statement

October 27, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Impact of Currency Devaluation

Earlier today, the Egyptian pound devalued against the US dollar. While it is too early to anticipate the impact across all areas of our operations, we are carefully assessing the situation and preparing appropriate measures. We will be sharing more information about these measures shortly.

Full statement

October 5, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: AUC’s Participation in COP27

A few weeks from now, AUC will participate in COP27, an important national and global event focused on climate change that will be held in Egypt for the first time. 

Full statement

September 12, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Condolences - Former AUC Board of Trustees Chairman and Advisory Trustee Paul B. Hannon

I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to you all on the passing of an esteemed member of our community, former Chairman of AUC’s Board of Trustees and Advisory Trustee Paul B. Hannon.

Full statement

September 4, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Welcome to Fall 2022

Today marks the official start of the 2022-2023 academic year. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to campus.

Full statement

July 5, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Senior Appointments: VP for Institutional Advancement, University Architect and Director of US Government Relations

I am pleased to announce the appointments of Mr. Richard Brow as vice president for institutional advancement and alumni relations, Dr. Khaled Tarabieh as university architect, and Mr. Mena Hanna as director of government relations in Washington, DC.

Full statement

June 23, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: End of Year Message from the President

This week marks several important milestones to commemorate the end of another successful academic year at AUC. We returned to a University-wide commencement for the undergraduate and graduate Class of 2022 in two ceremonies that brought together all of the faculty, graduates and families in what is perhaps the single most iconic event in the life of a university.

Full statement

May 23, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Mental Health Initiative Kickoff Event

Mental health and wellbeing are critically important for our campus community. Before the global pandemic, studies have shown a considerable increase in mental health challenges throughout the world, and the need to address mental health has especially been a growing trend in universities. In the last two years, COVID-19 severely impacted the mental health of university students and communities and raised our awareness of the need to address these challenges. 

Full statement

March 17, 2022

From: Mark Turnage
Subject: Chair, Board of Trustees

I am pleased to share with you the appointment of AUC alumnus Hisham El-Khazindar ’96 to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees elected him at its last meeting in February.

Full statement

February 20, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: John Kerry Climate Change Address on Campus

Tomorrow, AUC will host a special address by John Kerry, US President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy for Climate. We are pleased that AUC continues to serve the same role it has played for more than a century in bringing thought leaders from around the world to discuss topics of global importance.

Full statement

January 27, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Teaching Modality for the Start of Spring 2022

To ensure an orderly start to the semester given the disruption we will face with the number of people who are currently isolated or sick, we will begin the semester as scheduled, but we are introducing a two-week transition period to online instruction during the two weeks from Sunday, January 30 to Saturday, February 12, 2022.

Full statement

January 23, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Preparing for Spring 2022

I would like to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to the many members of the AUC community — faculty, students, staff — who have been working hard to see us complete Fall 2021 as our first fully face-to-face semester since the pandemic began. This is no small feat as we enter Spring 2022, equally determined to deliver the semester safely and prudently face-to-face.

Full statement

January 13, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Farewell to Vice President Bruce Flessner

Please join me in thanking our colleague Mr. Bruce W. Flessner, Vice President for Advancement and Americas for his contributions during his tenure at AUC. 

Full statement

January 13, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Mourning the Loss of Former AUC President Donald McDonald

It is with sadness that I share the news of the death of former AUC President Donald McDonald, who served as AUC's President from 1990 to 1997. 

Full statement

January 4, 2022

From: AUC President
Subject: Appointment of Mohamed Hamza as University Counselor

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mohamed Hamza as the University Counselor. A member of the University’s senior leadership group, Hamza serves a critical role in maintaining AUC’s collaborative relationships with Egyptian universities, the Supreme Council of Universities and the Government of Egypt. 

Full statement

November 24, 2021

From: AUC President
Subject: Bidding Farewell to Counselor Ashraf Hatem

Please join me in bidding farewell to our dear colleague Ashraf Hatem, University Counselor, whose contributions, service and dedication to AUC are exemplary. Hatem has become a close colleague and friend to many in the community during his years at AUC. 

Full statement

November 16, 2021

From: AUC President
Subject: Condolences - Sami Akabawi

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Sami Akabawi. Akabawi was a professor of information systems in the Department of Management.

Full statement

November 17, 2021

From: AUC President
Subject: Condolences - Dr. Mahmoud Ellozy

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the death of Professor Emeritus Dr. Mahmoud Ellozy. Dr. Ellozy retired from AUC in 2020, after spending over 30 years as a member of the AUC faculty, first in the Department of Comparative English Literature, and more recently in the Department of the Arts.

Full statement