Mechatronics Paves the Way for Egypt's Future

Coming from Beheira governorate, Seif Helal, recipient of the Joseph Van Vleck Endowed Scholarship, is excited to have joined AUC to pursue his long-harbored interest in electronics and robotics.

While in high school, Helal studied through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education system and worked on various engineering outreach projects to serve his community. He designed gloves for mute people, translating sign language into speech, and worked on new ways to convert organic waste into reusable energy.

At AUC, Helal hopes to study mechatronics, a discipline combining mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. His experience has placed him ahead of the curve at AUC, and he is excited to be part of a community where he could learn and develop. Though other universities in Cairo offered Helal funding, he found that AUC was the best choice for him. “AUC fit my requirements the most because the University has modern and advanced labs and the best mechatronics curriculum in Egypt,” he said.

Helal is also keen on meeting people from different parts of Egypt and around the world. He already joined the Robotics Club and the Exchange and Study-Abroad Program to meet students who share his interests. In the future, he hopes to work in mechatronics research and in robotics and artificial intelligence, particularly in the development of prostheses for people with disabilities. “Only a few people get this scholarship here in Egypt, and I am thankful for the chance to receive an AUC education and join the AUC community,” he said.

Joseph Van Vleck Endowed Scholarship was established in 2011 to support two Egyptian students (one male and one female) who come from outside of Cairo. For more information about AUC's scholarship programs, click here.