AUC Welcomes New University Counselor Mohamed Hamza

With the start of the new year, the University is welcoming University Counselor Mohamed Hamza, who began his role on January 1, bringing with him a wealth of experience and ideas.

As counselor, Hamza will be maintaining relations between the University and the Egyptian government and fostering collaboration with other academic institutions. News@AUC caught up with Hamza to learn more about him and his goals as counselor.

Why did you decide to join AUC?

Its history and future. For a century, AUC has built an exquisite culture of leadership, lifelong learning, continuing education and service among its graduates. AUC continues its legacy, and I joined to have the privilege of contributing to this significant legacy and mission, which serves both Egypt and the international community.  With my experience in both the American and Egyptian educational systems, I hope to be able to expand this legacy. 

What is your main goal as AUC counselor?

As the University enters its second century, my goal is to support it in maximizing its educational impact, expand its outreach and foster engagement within the community, while strengthening our collaborative partnerships with the Egyptian government and other educational institutions.

What are your priorities for the upcoming year? 

I am exceedingly enthusiastic about this coming year, and I aim to work with President Ahmad Dallal and all stakeholders to support AUC’s future initiatives, including, but not limited to, campus expansion and development. My priority is to create a culture of collaboration both within the University and with other institutions, as well as increase campus-wide engagement.

What’s your plan to strengthen AUC’s strategic role in the community and in Egypt?

My plan is to build on AUC’s excellence, innovation and community service to further develop our remarkable relationship with the Egyptian government and to explore even more opportunities for engagement and academic collaboration with peer educational institutions, both in Egypt and globally. I am particularly planning to focus on opportunities where AUC can further contribute to Egypt’s development through research and innovation.

You have extensive expertise in education, including working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Supreme Council of Universities and other entities. How will you build on your experience during your time at AUC?

I am planning to support all AUC projects and collaborations in the fields of education and research along with arts and cultural activities in Egypt and across the region. My experience as chairman of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector in the Ministry of Higher Education helped me facilitate faculty affairs and student engagement, which I intend to build on during my time at AUC. I have also worked to develop international cultural affairs and assisted Egyptian scholarship recipients during their study and research time in the United States while I served as the Egyptian cultural and educational counselor in Washington, D.C. These experiences enable me to seek more collaborative opportunities in education based on the long-standing relationship between the United States and Egypt and the great efforts that AUC is doing in the Internationalization of higher education.

What other short-term and long-term goals do you have for the University?

During this critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to continue providing a safe academic and working environment for all students, faculty and staff. My long-term goal is to contribute toward AUC’s already long standing academic success and further foster its representation and partnerships with the Egyptian government and the higher education sector. My overall long-term goal is to contribute to Egypt’s development through its educational sector development focusing on the internationalization of higher education. 

Tell us your favorite…

Movie: Dolphin Tail

Book: Influence of Islamic Civilization on European Renaissance  

Music Genre: Classical Arabic

Activity: Walking and watching soccer, especially Mohamed Salah’s games

Cuisine: Oriental

Who is your hero?

Professor Rudi van Eldik, professor Inorganic Chemistry, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany, who was my host professor during my postdoctoral studies in Germany.

Greatest inspiration?

The Paralympics

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the strong community I have established consisting of Egyptian-American professors in the United States who are very keen on establishing academic partnerships between Egyptian and American universities. Enabling them to give back to their community and contribute to Egypt’s development is not only an achievement, but gives me a sense of fulfillment.

What is something that people may not know about you?

Prior to my work in education policy, I used to conduct research in inorganic chemistry, and during my postdoctoral studies in Germany, our research group would conduct a magic show to showcase the fun of chemistry to kids. 

What world problem do you wish to solve?

I really wish we could solve the issue of cultural misconceptions and promote a world full of global citizens who live peacefully among each other.