AUC Hosts Global Gathering of Higher Education Leaders

The American University in Cairo (AUC) hosted recently the annual meeting for the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU), a consortium of independent, non-for-profit, higher education institutions located outside the United States and based on the American liberal arts model. The meeting was attended by leaders of member universities from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, including Nigeria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. “We are honored to have hosted such a distinguished gathering of leaders of international American universities,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “We share a vision and interest in developing liberal arts education and making it accessible around the world. The exchange of ideas and perspectives during the meeting exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines AUC and its commitment to global engagement.” 

The meeting, held at AUC’s New Cairo campus, aims to facilitate conversations on the future of higher education including academic partnerships, student and faculty exchange, quality assurance, and the role of universities in addressing global challenges.

AAICU members also toured the New Cairo campus, including AUC’s Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability as well as the Rare Books and Special Collection Library. “I was very impressed with how architecture played a significant role in focusing on students, faculty and staff. The whole structure speaks to the philosophy of the school,” said Panagiotis Vlachos, president of the American College of Thessaloniki and president of AAICU.

In addition to the academic program, AUC organized cultural excursions to iconic landmarks for AAICU members, including the Pyramids and The Egyptian Museum, providing participants with unique insights into Egypt’s rich history and cultural heritage. “For us to do our work in this sort of rich historical context has really been enjoyable,” said Todd Laursen, chancellor of the American University of Sharjah.

AUC hosted the AAICU meeting back in 2008 resulting in the Cairo Declaration. This historic declaration, unanimously adopted by AAICU member institutions, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting academic excellence, fostering intellectual interchange, upholding democratic values, and bridging and fostering dialogue among nations within the framework of the American liberal arts tradition.

“The University seems to be an engine of change within the community, the region and, of course, the country. It incorporates all different communities into it in a magnificent way,” said Samuel Martín-Barbero, president of Franklin University Switzerland.