![Students in cap in gown sit at commencement](/sites/default/files/styles/large_widget/public/2023-02/20230218-_dsc6441.jpg?itok=P-m2D60R)
AUC Awards Exceptional Graduates at Midyear Commencement Ceremonies
Fifteen graduates were awarded at AUC's Fall 2023 undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies in February. Recipients were recognized for a variety of academic and service-related accomplishments.
Undergraduate Awards
The President's Cup
Presented to the student(s) with the highest grade point average.
Winner: Karim Khaled Iskander
Mohamed El Beleidy Academic Award
The Mohamed El Beleidy Academic Award is presented to the graduating senior(s) with the highest grade point average (President’s Cup winners).
Winner: Karim Khaled Iskander
![Karim Khaled Isaknder Receives the President's Cup and Mohamed El Beleidy Academic Award](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Presidents%20Cup%20Academic%20Award.jpg)
Student Government Cup
The Student Government Cup is awarded to a member of the graduating class who has been an active leader in any branch of the Student Government (Student Union, Student Court or Student Senate) and has made an impact on the AUC community through their position.
Winners: Malak Hamed El Menyawi and Ahmed Sherif Sedky
Parents Association Cup
Presented to a student who has demonstrated exceptional capability in blending academic achievement with a major contribution to student activities. All nominees should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and are interviewed by several Parents Association board members to decide on a winner.
Winner: Malak Hamed El Menyawi
Omar Mohsen Athletic Achievement Cup
Presented by the Parents Association in memory of the late AUC student Omar Mohsen, who passed away in 2012 during the tragic events of the Port Said stadium. It is awarded to a recipient who wins a gold, silver or bronze medal representing AUC in national and international tournaments, in addition to maintaining a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Winner: Aya Ayman Abbas
Dr. Abdel Rahman El Sawy Award
Established in his memory by his family to be awarded to a graduating public school scholar with the highest grade point average in the School of Sciences and Engineering.
Winner: Mohamed Ashraf Hemdan
Ahmed El Mehallawi Family Award
Presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and contributed to cocurricular activities, including community service. Candidates for the award are nominated by their faculty advisers.
Winners: Lina Ayman ElSayed Marwan Abou Ghaly
Ahmed Zewail Prize for Excellence in the Sciences and Humanities
Established by the late Dr. Ahmed Zewail to recognize an AUC honors graduate whose academic accomplishments demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the pursuit of scientific inquiry and the affirmation of humanistic values. Eligible students submit an essay for consideration, and the winner receives a certificate, medal and cash prize.
Winner: Sara Tadros Abdel Messih
Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Undergraduate Award
Established in 2017 to provide an award to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student. The award recipient is selected by a committee headed by the dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering.
Winner: Fatema Al-zahraa Elsayed Lokma
Dr. Sherif El-Kassas Award
New this year, the award was established family members and colleagues in memory of Dr. Sherif El-Kassas. The award is presented to a computer science and engineering honors graduate for their outstanding achievements and for fostering human ethics and values.
Winner: Mohamed Ashraf Hemdan
Shireen Abu Aqleh Award by Dr. Soraya Altorki
Established by Professor Soraya Altorki to honor the memory of the award-winning Palestinian American female journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh who was shot in May 2022 while reporting on a raid in Jenin, the West Bank. Abu Aqleh had led an inspiring career during her 25 years of press work across the Middle East, bravely reporting on the occupied Palestinian territories. The award is offered to a high-achieving Palestinian student.
Winner: Zeina Hesham Sakijha
The Valerie Farag Music Award
Given to the highest-performing student in musical arts or music technology.
Winner: Karim Medhat Nasr
Graduate Awards
Medhat Haroun Award for Scholarly Excellence
The Medhat Haroun Award for Scholarly Excellence was established in 2012 in memory of Dr. Medhat Haroun to provide an annual award for the best graduate thesis in the School of Sciences and Engineering.
Winner: Mohamed Tarek Ismail
Master of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering Thesis: "Enhanced Data Sampling and Feature Generation for Machine Learning-Based Lithography Hotspot Detection"
Supervisor: Professor Karim Seddik
Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim A. Allehedan Graduate Award
Established in 2017 to provide an award to the highest performing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) student.
Winner: Menna Mohammed Hasan, Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Sciences
Thesis: "Electrocatalysis by Design: Low Dissolution Counter Electrode and Highly Efficient Nanostructured Electrocatalysts"
Supervisor: Professor Nageh Allam
Fadel Assabghy Award for Scholarly Excellence
Established in 2012 in memory of Dr. Fadel Assabghy to provide an annual award for the best graduate thesis in the School of Sciences and Engineering.
Winner: Hania Akram Reda Guirguis, Master of Science in Chemistry (not pictured)
Thesis: "Adsorption of Antibiotics in Wastewater by Stevia rebaudiana Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles"
Supervisor: Associate Professor Mayyada El-Sayed