November 15, 2021

Dear AUC Community,

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Sami Akabawi. Funeral prayers are being held Monday, November 15 at Al Emam Al Shafei Mosque after the Zuhr prayer. Condolences may be sent to his family at [email protected]. 

Akabawi was a professor of information systems in the Department of Management. He previously served as AUC's AVP of Computing (1994-2007) where he developed the strategic master plan for the development of the University's computing infrastructure.  Prior to that, Akabawi served as the director of the business administration major program director from 1986 to 1992. Akabawi was also instrumental in developing the first computer science program curricula. This program was the embryo of the later computer sience major and department at AUC.

Akabawi also made significant contributions to the local and regional business community as an ICT consultant and advisor to many institutions. He worked as the chief technical advisor to the national program undertaken by the Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center of Egypt for the adoption of IT within the Local Government system (the forerunner of the E-Government project). He was the ICT senior consultant for the Minister of Internal Trade during the period 1999-2004 and oversaw the development of the Trade Information Center. His expertise was in the design, development, and implementation of ICT infrastructures. He also studied the impact of the proliferation of various ICT artifacts on the human agency’s behavior, particularly in developing countries.

Through his passion and commitment to his work, Akabawi has made a lasting impact on his students and colleagues, on AUC and in Egypt. His passing will be felt deeply.

Sincerely,

Ahmad Dallal
President