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End-of-Year Message

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  3. End-of-Year Message

May 27, 2024

Dear AUC Community,

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.

The impact of the float of the EGP and inflation continue to be top of mind for all members of our community, including our students and their parents. We have kept our promise of mitigating some of this financial impact where possible for all members of the community. 

Salary Increases

At the Board of Trustees meeting earlier this month, we secured approval for a balanced budget next year that incorporates provisions to support continuing students and staff. As I have promised throughout the past year, we included in the approved budget meaningful salary increases for staff. All staff members on levels 1 to 9 will receive an increase of 35% to their annual salary. In addition, a further 0% to 5% merit increase will be awarded based on performance for staff at levels 1 to 9. Meanwhile, staff members from levels 10 to 11 will receive an increase of 27% and those at levels 12 to 14 will receive 22% of their annual salary. Managerial staff at levels 10 and above will be eligible for additional performance-based merit increases ranging from 0% to 8%. The details of individual increases taking effect on July 1 will be shared by HR once the performance review cycle is complete. Senior leadership and faculty whose salaries are dollar denominated will receive one-time, performance-based payments. 

Tuition Support

Continuing students who need financial support are able to apply for assistance. The number of returning students from year to year has been consistent over time, giving us a clear indication that our interventions are effective in ensuring that no student is forced to leave AUC due to an inability to pay. For incoming students, the Excellence Scholarship Program, now in its second year, continues to keep AUC as an attractive option for quality students. In next year’s budget, we included significant provisions that allow us to support students who face financial hardships because of the devaluation of the EGP, which is a key priority for us. 

War in Gaza

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is capturing the world’s attention and will impact our region until a just and lasting peace is achieved. Our role as a University committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression of our students and faculty is to provide a protected space where all ideas can be discussed and debated. Many of us are meeting with various groups on campus who are protesting in support of Palestinian rights or advocating for actions they would like the University to take. As I have explained to the groups with whom I’ve met, we will continue to support their right to peaceful expression on campus, as long as they don’t interfere with the rights of others and within the parameters set out in our policies. The role of the University as an institution of higher education is in the privileged space it provides faculty and students. 

Key Achievements

While addressing the impacts of economic and regional turbulence, we must not lose sight of the impressive achievements of the AUC community. This academic year, our students excelled on the world stage from securing a record-breaking 24 awards at the National Model United Nations in New York, winning the Heart Hackathon for an innovative artificial heart prototype and winning the Arab FinTech Challenge in Dubai to winning second place in the women’s University World Cup 3x3 Basketball finals and the 2024 CFA Regional MENA Research Challenge. Our faculty continue to be recognized for leading work in their disciplines, many of them receiving international awards and recognition. 

As an institution, AUC secured the second-largest grant in the University's history for USAID Partnerships in Education Program, launched the first joint master’s degree program with the University of Tubingen and hosted the annual meeting of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities with leaders of member universities from around the world. We also hosted the first AUC Tahrir CultureFest, a representation of our commitment to integrating the Tahrir campus into our educational and outreach mission. Throughout the year, our community was active in reflecting on the regional conflict including organizing a number of public lectures, Palestine Week and a Packing for Palestine initiative. We are also proud of our alumni who play important roles in the global and regional arenas. 

The academic year is nearly over and we are preparing for some of the most important milestones. June 3 will be the groundbreaking for Campus 2026, which marks the start of construction on three projects that will shape the future of AUC and our ability to deliver a unique student experience and quality academic programs fit for the future of higher education. A few weeks later, we will celebrate the Class of 2024 in the graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies. 

Before we close out the year, we will be announcing the winners of the first cohort of the President’s Service Excellence Awards at the final Campus Conversation of this academic year on Thursday, June 13 at 1 pm in Moataz Al Alfi Hall. I look forward to seeing you there for a discussion of all matters of concern to our community and the celebration of staff members who exemplify outstanding service.

I wish students the best of luck with finals this week. Congratulations to our graduating students and their families on what is perhaps the most important achievement for us as a University. As alumni, you are forever a part of AUC and our deepest contribution to Egypt and the world. For those of us who will be back next year, I wish you a restful and enriching summer and look forward to seeing you again in the fall. 
 

Sincerely,

Ahmad Dallal
President