Featured Services
Banner 9 Launch
Banner is one of the main institutional assets when it comes to providing direct services to all University stakeholders, both present and future. It provides the main interface for software applications for many administrative offices at The American University in Cairo (AUC).
AUC Banner is hosted on Amazon Cloud web services AWS. The administrative pages have been upgraded to version 9. In addition, related tools and third-party solutions integrated are already in the continual upgrade process. The upgrade process ensured AUC gets the best available technological changes that serve the business needs and enhance the campus functions. The next phase of the Banner upgrade project will be to upgrade Banner Self-Service to the latest version for better faculty and staff functional utilization.
For support, open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
Connect
AUC-Connect is AUC's engagement platform that connects students, faculty, staff, and alumni in one digital space to connect and engage. Event registration, user profile, chatting, social feed, and appointment scheduling, among other features, are now at your fingertips. This project will be expanded in phases to enrich the experience of the different constituencies through engaging content. The platform has a flavor of social media experience that is accessible via the web and mobile. We invite our community members to visit the website and download the mobile app to explore digital engagement opportunities.
Degree Works
Degree Works is integrated with Banner giving students meaningful and consistent direction and providing advisers with up-to-date curriculum information. It is available from inside Banner Self-Service under the student and advisor menu.
Free Access to Adobe Products
For Adobe and all other educational discounted resources, visit the official Creative Cloud website, and search for your needed software. Attached is a detailed guide on how to create an account and search for software. You can also visit the OnTheHub Help Center for more support topics.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a software for online video courses. It combines the industry-leading content from Lynda with LinkedIn’s professional data and network. The online library features over 10,000 digital courses taught by industry experts. It covers various business, creative, and technical topics, from leadership soft skills to design principles to programming languages. LinkedIn Learning is available to the AUC community 24/7, on any device, online and offline.
Lynda fits in AUC's open data pillar. After acquiring Lynda in 2016, LinkedIn kept the platform as is. It aims to combine all the professional data and network tools from LinkedIn; Lynda has now been migrated to LinkedIn Learning to provide users with the same Lynda content library but with an updated interface and over 25 videos added weekly to stay current and up-to-date with today's fast-paced industry. AUC community has access to LinkedIn Learning using their AUC email credentials and can link their professional LinkedIn account to showcase their progress and gain skills.
For support, open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
MyAUC
My AUC is an upgraded mobile application offering a personalized digital experience to AUC students, faculty, and staff to support the on-the-go AUC experience through the preferred mobile channel. The mobile features are rolled out through quarterly releases. The first release includes Personalized Profile, Mobile Notifications, Contacts (Directory and Support offices), On-campus navigation, Health and Well-being, Academics (for students and faculty), and bus services.
For support, open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
Microsoft Tools
The University has a campus agreement with Microsoft that offers free licenses for popular Microsoft software packages used by the AUC community. Details about products included follow:
- To access all Microsoft 365 apps and folders and OneDrive shared files, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Portal using your AUC email credentials.
- Visual Studio, an integrated development environment from Microsoft, is used to develop computer programs and websites, web apps, web services, and mobile apps. For eligibility and instructions on how to download Visual Studio, click here.
- Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace in Office 365 that makes it easy to have conversations, host meetings, share files, collaborate on documents, and get work done with various groups across the organization.
- Log in to Microsoft Teams using your AUC mail credentials, and start using the software.
- For additional resources and detailed steps on how to download Microsoft Tools on your desktop, click here.
Video Conferencing
Zoom is a web-based video conference platform that allows one-to-one multi-audio video-based meetings to facilitate communications between faculty members, students, and staff meetings.
Sign in, then log in with Google, which will direct you to the AUC email where you can enter your AUC email credentials. For further instructions, click here.
For any support with Zoom, contact the IT hotline at t: +20.2.2615.1200, or open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
Getting Started with AI Tools
Explore new features that are reshaping the way we work and learn. Engage with technology at AUC to stay ahead in this fast-evolving world! Before you embark on your AI journey, read AUC's community statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence and explore these CLT guidelines for faculty and students. Faculty can also request a consultation if they are interested in integrating AI into their courses. If you have any data privacy concerns, contact our Data Privacy Officer at [email protected]. For technical support related to AI tools, reach out to our IT Support team at [email protected].
Google Gemini
Gemini is a conversational generative AI chatbot developed by Google, and provides the following:
- Spoken Responses
- Image and Video xAnalysis
- Multilingual Responses (Arabic, English, French, etc.)
- Syncing with Google products (Docs, Sheets and Slides)
- Personalized Chatbot Tone
Microsoft Speaker Coach
- Speaker Coach is an AI-powered coach that provides private, personalized insights into how you spoke during your meeting (on Microsoft Teams) or presentation (Microsoft Powerpoint), as well as a summary afterward.
- Live insights are only seen by you and are not saved in recorded meeting transcripts.
- Speaker Coach evaluates your pacing, pitch, your use of filler words, informal speech, euphemisms, and culturally sensitive terms, and it detects when you're being overly wordy or are simply reading the text on a slide.
To share your thoughts, use our AI feedback form.
Infrastructure and Support Services
Assistive Technology
This idea is known worldwide as assistive technology due to its assistance role. The first official Inauguration of the assistive technology corners at AUC started on the Tahrir Square campus in November 2002. After moving the AUC campus to New Cairo, the University reserved two locations for assistive technology purposes. The first is an office lab for initializing the service and is located in room P145 of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Hall. The second is a study room located in room P003 of the Library Plaza. And, of course, both of them are enhanced by the needed Utilities. Furthermore, to get the best implementation of the assistive technology services, the AUC appointed a blind score as full-time staff. For further achievements, it also invited a sighted person to work with him under the acknowledged Service Level Agreement with trending to fully appoint her.
Full list of the available assistive technology hardware and software.
Audio FAQs on the JAWS screen reader.
BigFix
HCL® BigFix is a suite of products that provides a fast and intuitive solution for security management and allows AUC to collect security reports from managed computers. The collected data does not include any direct personal identifiers (email, calendar events, contacts, personal files) from your laptop or desktop computer. You can find detailed information about retrieved data on the BigFix retrieved properties list.
At AUC, BigFix is not used for the remote-control option, but instead, AUC uses:
- VNC for Classrooms and Labs support
- Zoom for office support
Important Note: AUC IT Procedure for Remote Access prohibits using remote support software without user consent.
Device Management System (DMS)
The AUC Device Management project is an institutional strategic direction aimed at managing and securing AUC-owned devices and their configurations, through a centralized system. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns related to this project, feel free to submit them through our online feedback form. You can also visit our FAQ page for the most common questions you may have about it. Additionally, the IT support team will be available for help. If you encounter any issues, open an online ticket.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital interface for transmitting audio and video data in a single cable, and it delivers high-quality images and unmatched ease of use. As part of the ongoing commitment to improving the teaching and learning experience, Academic and Campus Technologies Support Services (ACTSS) has started by upgrading the presentation equipment in the School of Sciences and Engineering classrooms. The upgrade includes transitioning from VGA to HDMI technology and installing new dazzling speakers.
Currently, all classrooms have been upgraded to HDMI.
IT Self-Service Portal
The new IT ticketing system is in place now for reporting all IT-related issues. It is the most flexible, reliable, easy-to-use, and trusted IT service management system. The reporting is done through the IT help desk team or directly using the self-service portal.
For support, open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
New Core Infrastructure Implementation
This project is for the technology refresh of all servers and storage using the new architecture hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) and migrating all virtual machines to it. The first project is to retire all servers because they are out of support, then partially replace them with the latest technology HCI. The very important part is to migrate the whole virtual environment into the new hardware with minimum or zero downtime. This environment is hosting all centralized services campus-wide The other project consists of two main projects: retiring the current main storage, which serves all the campus, and migrating all block-level storage to a new one with very high performance (all-flash).
For support, open an online IT ticket on the IT self-service portal.
Remote Access to Campus Computer Labs
Connect to a computer lab remotely in a secure and reliable connection by downloading Real VNC software. It works across all devices and operating systems including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Refer to your course instructor teaching assistant or lab administrator to get access to the AUC-licensed version of Real VNC software. For further instructions, click here.
24/7 IT Help Desk
Due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, effective March 18, 2020, we are switching to online 24/7 support for any IT-related issues. From 8:30 am to 11:00 pm, users can either call the IT hotline at +20.2.2615.1200 or open an online IT ticket on the IT portal.
Users can use the IT chatbot called Digi-Bot from 11:00 pm to 8:30 am. It can help with any IT problem related to emails, Zoom, Banner, VPN, CANVAS, and financial aid; try Digi-Bot! It is available 24/7 on the IT Portal and IT website.
For more information, click here.
Events Technology Support Services
Our Event Technology Support team specializes in providing top-notch event services tailored to your needs. This includes equipment reservation, videography, light systems setup, and sound systems setup. Our experienced team is dedicated to delivering exceptional results, making your event a memorable success.
Login to the ADASTRA online reservation platform to request our services.
Important note: We operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If our in-house staff are unavailable due to high demand, we offer outsourcing options to ensure your needs are met promptly. Learn more about our freelance resources and pricing by visiting our ACTSS Freelancing List.
Security and Authentication Services
Cofense
Emails are the number one tool hackers use in attacks; therefore, reporting and verifying any suspicious email is crucial. Accordingly, we are glad to announce a new feature button on your AUC email and Microsoft Outlook to allow you to report suspicious emails to the information security team. This tool is called the cofense reporter.
For more information, click here.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your login process. It requires you to provide more than just your username and password when accessing your account. By implementing MFA, only you, as the account owner, with the correct combination of credentials (username, password, and the additional verification factor) can successfully log in. Unauthorized individuals will face a greater challenge in accessing your account, even if they have your password, but it's still important to keep your password and additional verification factors confidential to maintain the security and privacy of your account. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions section for more details. If you have any further questions or require support with Multi-Factor Authentication, don’t hesitate to open an IT ticket to get the needed assistance.
Password Change Policy
The password change policy is in place to better protect your user accounts and securely access AUC online applications. All AUC users need to change their passwords every year.
During fall 2019, users will receive an email notification from IT to change passwords. A password expiration date will be set, and a URL link will be provided with supporting handouts to guide the process. Users who fail to change the password before the deadline have their accounts locked out.
For inquiries, send an email to IT support.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. In other words, a VPN is a secure logical network created from physically separate networks. VPNs use encryption and other security methods to ensure that only authorized users can access the network. VPNs also ensure that unauthorized users cannot intercept the data transmitted between computers. To create a VPN account, fill in this form, and wait for a creation notification email to set up your account within two business days.
For a follow-up, contact the IT security team.
For more information, click here.