Statistics say that there are 12 million homeless Egyptians, including those living in slums (ashwa’eyat). Yet when Hana Wali, business administration student, visited some of the most poverty-struck areas in Egypt during her work with the charitable organization, Together to Save a Human, she discovered that the statistics may not be accurate and that countless people need shelter. That’s when she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Compassion: How It All Started

“As a child, I used to always cry when I saw a homeless person in the streets,” reflected Wali. “It always struck me as utterly unfair that while many of us own multiple homes with several unused rooms, others struggle to even find a cardboard box to shelter them. It always touched me and reminded me of how unequal life is.”

 

What also stroke her is that Egyptians in poverty tend to practice compassion with others in similar situations. For instance, they don’t let someone in their village live on the streets; they welcome those in need into their homes. In addition, she noticed that the majority of the homeless population in Egypt tend to be those who are elderly and suffer from Alzheimer’s –– whose family have left them in the streets, or those with psychological issues, which led her to conclude that the main cause of homelessness in Egypt seems not to be purely poverty. 

With exposure to these situations and more, Wali’s childhood dream was always to open a homeless shelter in Egypt that not only offered protection but also helped support the personal growth of homeless individuals by providing them with health care, psychological care, education and other services. 

“Last year, I began to realize this dream by founding Egypt Gives,” she said. “I believe in Egypt is in need of trustworthy, genuine and completely transparent charities, and I hope that Egypt Gives can provide this.”

What Is Egypt Gives?

Egypt Gives is a charitable organization that “aims to kindly remind Egyptian society to give generously to those who are less fortunate.” Its main aim is to encourage Egyptians who seem to be sheltered from social inequalities to be more giving and generous in their daily lives.

Currently, the organization’s focal point is providing adequate shelter and assistance to the homeless community in Egypt, including those who live in homes labeled as “unfit for human living”. Through the website or direct messages on Instagram, Egyptians are encouraged to share photos and locations of homeless cases with the organization.

 

Egypt Gives works with Together to Save a Human, which has four operating homeless shelters. Upon receiving a case, Egypt Gives relays it to Together to Save a Human, who are able to access databases that show whether this individual is truly homeless, they then send a rescue team and provide them with shelter. Egypt Gives also works closely with Maxim Charitable Foundation, which contributes financially to other charitable organizations.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Role of AUC

Shortly after launching Egypt Gives, Wali was enrolled in AUC’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation course, which she perceived as the golden opportunity to strengthen her business operations and positioning. After the approval of her instructor and group members, she pursued Egypt Gives as the focal company of her group project.

“This helped me come up with a solid business plan for Egypt Gives,” Wali emphasized. “I also completed several marketing courses that have tremendously helped me construct marketing plans for Egypt Gives, overall boosting its impact.”

Just like education is a major part of her success with Egypt Gives, Wali aims to pass on this education to those in need of it. Currently, she’s working toward educating homeless individuals by recruiting a team of educators and psychologists on board.

On that note, Egypt Gives is calling for volunteers on all levels – not just educators and psychologists but also with the day-to-day activities of the organization!

AUC’s Debate Society, a student-led organization, is holding one of its biggest events yet – discussing the influence of state and society on sexual harassment. Titled Unleash Your Voice, the event is bringing together faculty, students, specialists and actors to engage in a conversation about sexual harassment in Egypt.

 

During the event, held in a form of a debate, 16 students, in eight teams of two, will debate in four rounds to reach the ultimate conclusion on who has a larger influence on combatting sexual harassment and discrimination – society or state? The three winning teams are to receive EGP 6,000, EGP 4,000 and EGP 2,000, respectively.

We spoke to Youssef Hashem, president of the Debate Society and economics junior with a minor in entrepreneurship, to find out more.

Q: What does Debate Society aspire to achieve through Unleash Your Voice? 

A: To get student perspectives to be raised and heard. More importantly, the event comes within the scope of an awareness campaign that a number of students at AUC started two weeks ago, called Student Coalition, consisting of AUC’s Debate Society, Psychology Association and Literature Club, to combat sexual harassment and discrimination within our community.

Q: Why did you choose the competition for the event? 

A: To provide more incentive for students to actually participate in this kind of discussion. Debate Society was just launched last semester, and the culture of debating is still new. It wasn’t really present in the past year. Yes, some debates take place on campus, but they aren’t always available for students – they’re “separated episodes of debates” that come and go from time to time. Therefore, we created the event in the form of a debate to encourage students to participate and to exert effort to speak their minds.

On a larger scale, Debate Society is there to maintain the sustainability and continuous presence of debates to ensure that students’ perspectives are always heard.

Q: What triggered you to organize this event?

A: The topic of sexual harassment is a very crucial and necessary topic to tackle. The trigger was the recent happenings within the AUC community – it’s a topic that we neglected for a long time and thought we were immune to. We thought the issue was only present in Egypt at large and not within the borders of AUC, and we just weren’t giving attention to it. We didn’t have the mentality to address the issue. We’re not necessarily speaking about the administration but rather about the students.

When these cases appeared and the topic became a threat and caused damage to our community in a disgraceful manner, we felt that it was necessary to combat it. That’s why we created the Student Coalition. This is only one of many plans that we’ll continue to organize. We have specific goals and activities planned to keep the awareness going.

This isn’t an issue that will end in a month or even a year – it needs sustainability, and it needs to be tackled as soon as possible. This is why we made it a point to engage students and help them unleash their voices, as is the name of the competition.

Even if we don’t have a conclusion or definitive answer at the end of the debate, we need to hear.

Q: How will the winners be chosen? 

A: Certainly not based on who’s right or wrong because there is no right and wrong. The winners will be chosen based on a rubric distributed to the judges. Its components primarily include the structure of the argument, the facts and research it includes, body language, tone of voice and presentation.

Q: What’s your personal opinion on the influence of state and society on sexual harassment? 

A: My personal opinion is that both the state and society have a large influence on combatting sexual harassment and discrimination. However, it depends on the context. In general, the influence comes from the state first and then from society. If the society is not very well-educated or is unaware of the importance of the issue and dismisses it, then the state has the first and last responsibility of combatting the issue and establishing firm policies to contain it.

That will lead to the awareness of the citizens and eventually, individuals will progress toward becoming responsible. But then again, there’s also self-responsibility.

"A person like me or you or any well-educated person has a responsibility to work on the issue at the same time that the state is. It’s a battle we all need to contribute to. And our contribution doesn’t have to mean organizing events or hanging posters – it can be as simple as starting with our circles, discussing the issue, raising awareness and more.  All in all, it’s both, but I would say state before society."

Q: How do you think the event will contribute to raising awareness of sexual harassment and discrimination?

A: The event will bring together different constituents, including specialists, actors, faculty and students. The idea of having all these people in one place, discussing the same topic, and making a buzz out of it creates awareness. But most importantly, people will relate. And this is the phase where we’re focusing on making people relate to what’s being said, whether by actors they admire, by specialists they trust, by faculty who did research on the topic, or more.

"In doing so, people will be encouraged to talk more about the topic. And by talking, we mean really talking and showcasing their perspectives – not attacking and exposing. Many people are attacking, but not many are solving. Through this event, we want to encourage people to talk, discuss and solve."

This also serves as a first opportunity for students to collectively engage in a discussion before the upcoming AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series event. During that event, our student discussions will focus on solutions only, tackling questions like, What do you believe should be implemented on campuses and universities to combat sexual harassment? Unleash Your Voice is a preparation for the solutions. Yes, not the same people will participate in both events, but we’re all students, and we’re progressing toward the solutions.

Q: Do you believe that change starts with students and universities?

A: I’m not being biased, but I really believe that students, especially university students, are the strongest asset a country can have. They’re the most important pillar in a society that can make a great change. If we look back at history, we can easily see that AUC students have always been leading change – whether internally within the University or externally within the country. However, we need to remember that we’re one to be able to make any kind of change. Collective ideas are what make us stronger.

Q: Do you have any final messages to share with the community?

A: I want to stress the importance of people engaging in such events – not for me personally, I’m not staying at University for long. I have two semesters left to graduate. But for the sake of the community, for the sake of people always talking, for the sake of people always sharing their thoughts and ideas. For their sake, not mine.

School of Business Dean Sherif Kamel was recently appointed as a trustee of the International Management Board of the Association of MBAs and the Business Graduates Association as well as elected as a board member of AACSB International as an "AACSB official representative of an organization from Europe, the Middle East or Africa," representing AUC.

"I am truly honored to be joining these two distinguished, diverse, and international boards that represent two of the leading authorities in the world of business and management education," he said. "I am delighted to be representing AUC and the school of business on the two boards, which I firmly believe contribute to raising the university and the school’s global profile, visibility, and footprint."

Kamel added that he looks forward to working with his colleagues at both entities to develop what he believes is society's most important asset — human capital. For him, the invaluable element of business schools is to help the future leaders, entrepreneurs, movers and shakers become more competitive and agile so they can always make a difference to their community and help realize a transformational, sustainable and scalable impact.

"The AUC School of Business —which celebrates in 2022 its 75th anniversary as a leading institution in business and management education serving the business community in Egypt and the region— has been AACSB accredited since 2006, and by adding both EFMD-EQUIS and AMBA accreditations in 2014, became among the top one percent of leading business schools globally that are triple-crown accredited. Today, the school remains the only triple crown accredited business school in the Middle East North Africa region," he said.

 

Around 800 prospective students attended AUC's first virtual Open Day last Saturday, and more than 20 faculty members engaged with the students. 

Prospective students from a diverse set of high school backgrounds explored the 40 majors and 55 minors offered at the University. Each school had a Zoom booth and was represented by a faculty member who answered questions about the different courses, tracks and programs found at the school. The Student Service Center also had a booth to answer any additional questions about programs and admissions

The business in marketing major was the most popular major, with 153 prospective students indicating their interest in it, followed by business and entrepreneurship, computer science and graphic design. 

 

 

Most of those who attended have an American high school diploma, followed by thanawiya amma and British diplomas. 

The School of Sciences and Engineering had the greatest number of participants with 1,915, followed by the School of Business, and Student Service Center.

Faculty Reflections 

The School of Business held six breakout rooms, where chairs, faculty and staff held parallel sessions with potential students and parents. The students were able to move between each breakout room to explore the different areas of accounting, business and entrepreneurship, economics, finance, management of information and communication technology, and marketing.

"I believe that the virtual Open Day was a great success and was really the result of effective collaboration among the different schools, offices across campus, and departments within the School of Business," said Ahmed Abdel-Meguid, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration and associate professor of accounting. "I think this model should continue even post COVID-19, given its outreach and flexibility."

Faculty from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences met with hundreds of potential students and parents from Egypt and other countries who are interested in the school's 10 departments and 63 different programs.

"HUSS prides itself in developing critical, independent and creative thinkers who are ready to embrace, and make a positive impact in, the changing world," said Jillian Campana, professor of theatre and associate dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. "Our guests at Open Day understood that studying the humanities teaches the skills that today’s employers want, leaving graduates ready to embrace numerous career options in multiple fields."

Shahjahan Bhuiyan, associate professor of public administration and associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration at the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, said that although this was a new experience, the event went smoothly and participants seemed to have learned a lot.

"It was a well-coordinated event among the participating schools, the Office of Marketing Communication and Public Affairs, the Office of Enrollment and other relevant administrative units. I am very grateful to my colleagues at GAPP for their support, active engagement and hard work to make the event a great success," Bhuiyan said.  

For the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Firas Al-Atraqchi, professor of practice, said the event went on "without a hitch." 

"The students, who I assume were all high school seniors, were very enthusiastic and asked a lot of engaging questions," Al-Atraqchi said.

The Academy of Liberal Arts had almost 100 participants, and the team was able to explain to students the nature of liberal arts studies.

"Open Day was an excellent event," said Matthew Hendershot, associate dean of undergraduate studies and the ALA. "The ALA team had a great time interacting with students who were inquiring about the nature of Core Curriculum, what the liberal arts are about, and just the process of starting their studies at AUC. I hope to see some of those who visited the ALA booth as future students at AUC."

“’'Empowered women, empower women’. This quote has always driven me forward as I grew up surrounded by empowered women who pushed me to be who I am today,” said Nour Hesham, marketing senior and president of the Business Association (BA). 

Echoing the same sentiment, Heba Abu Ahmed, finance senior and BA vice president, said, “I’ve been constantly inspired by my mother throughout the years, and I believe that female leaders deserve a platform where they could lead to inspire and truly empower others in their own way."

Hesham and Abu Ahmed have been in office since June 2020, leading a student-led organization that aims to serve AUC business students both socially and academically. Shortly after their appointment, the pandemic took its toll on the world. At a time when everyone was trying to define the new normal, the young ladies weren’t the slightest bit hesitant about the theme to use as a roadmap for their operations: “Business Life Redefined.”

Unscripted: Know, Be, Rise

Despite their many successful projects since June, most recently, Hesham and Abu Ahmed took on a new initiative they consider “one of the closest to their hearts”, inspiring students to realize their full potential and pursue their dreams. The initiative, Unscripted, is a conference that aims to connect students with some of AUC’s distinguished alumnae and female leaders on International Women’s Day, in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement. Learn more about the event here. 

 

Rather than opting for the standard many-to-many conference structure, Hesham and Abu Ahmed opted for a many-to-one, memorable and personalized structure, where female leaders would be connected to a smaller group of students for one hour to engage with and leave their unique imprint on their personal and professional growth.

The Motivation Behind the Inspiration

“My undergraduate journey made me realize that nothing drives me more than impact and that I’m inspired the most when I’m surrounded by purposeful change makers. I realized early on that I’m very passionate about democratizing access to mentorship and educational opportunities, and I hope I could one day bridge the gap by building platforms that would empower others to pave their own unique paths,” said Abu Ahmed on the motive behind the conference.

“Ultimately, this conference is just one small step toward achieving that. If there’s anything I’m sure of, it’s the impact that open conversation might have on one’s entire journey, and so this conference is here to socialize said conversations and truly realize the power of the community,” she said.

 

Abu Ahmed genuinely believes in the importance of mentorship and guidance, stating that more often than not, the ripple effect that could be achieved because of such successes fails to reach most students and that students tend to drastically underestimate the importance of mentorship. However, she wanted to do something about it.

As for Hesham, she finds the power of women to be “unparalleled”, which is why she sought to give strong women a platform where they could showcase their stories. “This conference is a beacon of inspiration connecting notable women who made it with women who are on their way to becoming something legendary,” she said. “I take so much pride in this conference because it is the first of its kind whereby impactful conversations are unplugged, raw and unscripted. I wholeheartedly believe that a woman’s place in the world is wherever she wants to be, and I strive to become one of the many women whose voices can change the world.”

Currently, the BA’s entire upper board is comprised of women, with the majority of the high board as well consisting of young, female leaders. Throughout their journey, Hesham and Abu Ahmed realized the importance of supporting one another and the small impact they could make as female leaders within their sphere of influence. Through this conference, they hope to continue being agents of positive change and inspire other women to reach higher grounds.

Personal Touches

While they come from different backgrounds, both Hesham and Abu Ahmed share a common inspiration: their mothers.

“I am a sole witness of a woman's 'do all,’ as I am my mother’s beholder of pride for her success, my sister’s journey companion and my grandmother’s success visionary,” said Hesham. “They have raised me to be a power and to empower, to aspire and inspire, and for that, I will never be the end of this ripple, but one whose effect reaches the farthest little girl in sight.”

 

Both have always been inspired by their mothers, and they obtain their strength and resilience from just observing what the women in their families have been doing – be it at home or at their day-to-day jobs. They believe that their empowerment and ability to lead in such turbulent times simply comes from the inspiration they get from their mothers – their guiding lights. Today, they further share a common vision: to be strong female leaders and impact their community in hopes of proving that determined women can and will rise. 

Ultimately, both Hesham and Abu Ahmed hope that the conference serves as an open space where students can learn from their role models up close and engage in “raw, unplugged and ‘unscripted’ conversations.” They hope that female leaders would leave the conversations feeling gracious for the impact they could potentially have on young leaders, and young leaders would leave feeling empowered to pave their own path and courageous to ask for mentorship or guidance moving forward – connecting the ecosystem together and turning it into a full circle characterized by constant empowerment and continuity.

In the end, they hope to shed light on female leaders, empower others to follow in their footsteps and rise to the occasion when needed to keep the momentum going, just like the conference’s slogan implies: “Know. Be. Rise.”

Every year, Forbes Middle East selects and ranks 50 powerful businesswomen from across the region. The women were chosen because they have "shown resilience, flexibility, and strength in the face of unprecedented adversity, both in the workplace and in their communities," according to Forbes. Egypt leads with the highest number of women on the list, eight, followed by the United Arab Emirates with seven. Five AUC alumni are featured on the list this year. You can find the full list here.

 

#16 Elham Mahfouz '84

Mahfouz is the CEO of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait and has been working in banking and finance for about 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors, from AUC. 

 

#32 Mervat Zohdy El Sayed Soltan '83, '89

Soltan has been the executive chairperson for the Export Development Bank of Egypt for 16 years. She has 36 years experience in banking. SHe graduated from AUC with a bachelor's in business administration followed by an MBA. 

 

#34 Nadia Al Saeed (MBA '92) 

Al Saeed has served as the CEO of Bank al Etihad for more than 12 years. She spearheaded the bank’s digital transformation by launching an app in 2019 that is now being used by 85% of the bank’s clients on a daily basis. She received her MBA from AUC.

 

#39 Yasmine '99 and Farida Mohamed Farid Khamis '00

Sisters Yasmine and Farida Khamis are executive board members at Oriental Weavers. Yasmine is also vice president of sales and marketing in the company and holds a  Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from AUC. Farida is vice president of corporate finance and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from AUC.

The AUC Ethics HelpLine encourages the AUC community to report any acts of misconduct or violations of the University's policies on its premises. It guarantees confidential reporting and documentation of complaints, as well as the timeliness and completeness of the administration’s response. News@AUC spoke to Wessam Abozeid, senior director of compliance in the Office of General Counsel and Compliance.

What is the benefit of an Ethics HelpLine?

The AUC Ethics HelpLine is a tool to report any misconduct, actual or potential legal violations, or violation of University policy. The AUC Ethics HelpLine also provides the option to report anonymously. This confidential and impartial web-based system directs the reports to the authorized University official to handle the issue and track progress to ensure timely resolution.

During the AUC Ethics HelpLine’s three-month pilot phase, we will work to improve/optimize the system to meet the University’s needs.

Why does AUC need an Ethics HelpLine?

The earlier we address any potential misconduct, the easier we prevent or remedy any potential impacts or risks, and the better we improve our working and learning environment.

When should people file a report through the AUC Ethics Helpline? 

Any situation, activity, or transaction that could potentially violate a law, regulation, or University policy or procedure could be a compliance issue. If you are concerned that an activity is inappropriate under these guideposts, or if you encounter a situation that simply feels wrong or makes you uncomfortable, you should speak to your supervisor or contact the University official that manages the area in which the issue has arisen. If, for whatever reason, you are uncomfortable going through these channels, or if you have raised an issue with the appropriate people but feel that it has not been addressed, you can make a report through the AUC Ethics HelpLine.

What are examples of types of cases that should be reported?

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Any forms of waste, fraud, abuse, or neglect whether rising to the level of potential illegality or at minor levels, that appear relatively easy to rectify for the general benefit of AUC and our community;
• False claims, financial misstatements, or accounting or auditing irregularities;
• Undisclosed or unmanaged conflicts of interest;
• Physical, sexual, verbal, and mental abuse;
• Retaliation;
• Mismanagement or abuse of authority relating to a contract or grant, including the competition for or negotiation of a contract; and/or
• A substantial or specific danger to public health or safety. 

What distinguishes the AUC Ethics HelpLine from other reporting platforms that currently exist?

Any community member (faculty, staff, students, vendors, and visitors) can use the AUC Ethics HelpLine to raise a concern. Additionally, the AUC Ethics HelpLine supports anonymous reporting. Meanwhile, only students can report concerns or violations through the Advocate system.

Is this common practice in other universities? Can you give examples?

Yes, most universities have several tools for reporting concerns and the option to report anonymously. Many US institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University, as well as the American University in Beirut, use the same third-party provider, NAVEX, to facilitate reporting.

Other examples include Lehigh University, Miami University, Cornell University, Villanova University, Claflin University, and the University of Buffalo.

Who manages the AUC Ethics HelpLine? 

The Senior Director of Compliance manages the AUC Ethics HelpLine.

What is the role of the third party, NAVEX Global? What's the benefit of having this third party?

The NAVEX system is entirely stand-alone and web-based, which means it does not link to AUC’s internal systems. In fact, NAVEX, as the provider, is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity. This enables individuals to report issues and concerns associated with unethical or illegal activities while maintaining anonymity and confidentiality.

How can someone file a report?

The AUC Ethics HelpLine is carefully designed to maintain confidentiality and anonymity at every step. Go to the AUC Ethics HelpLine from any device (mobile, home computer, etc.) and select "Make a report."

Following the on-screen instructions, complete the report as thoroughly as you can. Specify what report you would like to make from the available choices and read the anonymity information carefully—it helps to ensure that you do not compromise your identity during the reporting process. It is recommended to include the following information about the incident you are reporting:

• Who: persons engaged in the incident, including titles
• What: what specifically occurred
• Where: the location of the incident
• When: the time and duration of the incident

Create a password and write it down with the "Report Key" that will be given to you. You will need both of these to follow up on, review, or amend your report later.

You may also email the Senior Director of Compliance at [email protected] or visit our office in person on the 2^nd floor of the Administration Building to file a report in person.

Who can file a report?

Students, faculty, staff, vendors, or visitors to the campus may file a report through the AUC Ethics HelpLine.

Who accesses these reports? 

The AUC Ethics HelpLine enters reports directly onto NAVEX’s secure server. NAVEX makes these reports available only to the Senior Director of Compliance and individuals designated by the University’s complaint procedures, who are charged to promptly evaluate the report and decide how to follow up for effective resolution. Depending on the nature of the report, the system will send it to the appropriate University official.

Can people file anonymous reports? Will their identity be known to anyone?

Yes, they can. The AUC Ethics HelpLine allows you to submit reports anonymously. The AUC Ethics HelpLine does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to the AUC Ethics HelpLine is available.

How do people who file a report guarantee that they will not be discriminated against afterward? Are there policies that protect them?

Reports filed through the AUC Ethics HelpLine (and reports made through other University channels) are covered by the Policy on Reporting Unethical or Illegal Conduct, which recognizes that reporting is a service to the University and prohibits retaliation of any kind for reports that are made in good faith.

What happens after someone files a report?

If you include your contact information when filing your report through the AUC Ethics HelpLine system, the Senior Director of Compliance will follow up with you directly to schedule an in-person or telephone meeting. If you file your report anonymously, NAVEX will send you an email when the Senior Director of Compliance responds to your report or asks you any follow-up questions. You will have the option to continue to respond anonymously via the AUC Ethics HelpLine.

Can someone provide additional information after filing a report? How? 

When you file a report through the AUC Ethics HelpLine via the online system, you will receive a case key number and the system will ask you to choose a password. You can return to the AUC Ethics HelpLine system at any time to access the original report or add further information.

Will people who file a report be informed of the outcome? When?

Yes, the reporter will be notified of the outcome of any reports filed once the investigation is finalized. The investigation time varies on a case-to-case basis.

What can people do if a false report is filed against them? What if the report is anonymous?

Any reports or complaints filed through the AUC Ethics HelpLine will be fully investigated, and actions will only be taken based on the evidence found, not just based on the report itself.

How can people get more information about the AUC Ethics Helpline?

They may visit the AUC Ethics HelpLine page or contact the Compliance Office by email at [email protected] or in person on the second floor of the Administration Building.

 

AUC welcomes the Class of 2025 in unusual circumstances — with new hopes and challenges awaiting them. AUC is still implementing a hybrid model of classes with an emphasis on maintaining a low-density campus.

Having the first month of the spring semester entirely online did not prevent the incoming students from enjoying their orientation and preparing for their AUC journey.

"We are all ready for the pandemic to end and active life to resume on campus, yet for the ongoing safety of the community, we conducted this year's orientation entirely online via Zoom," said Mohamed Gendy, manager of the First-Year Program. "This didn't stop the new students from fully engaging with their peer leaders during the sessions — asking questions, exchanging ideas, sharing stories and playing educational games. The energy and vibes were great."

The new undergraduate class — 54% females and 46% males — enriches the community's diversity, with students coming from Nigeria, Algeria, Yemen, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Likewise, on the graduate level, the class — 70% females and 30% males — comprises a diverse international body coming from the United States, Nigeria, Libya, Yemen, Canada, Kuwait, Palestine and Syria. 

Students expressed their hopes and eagerness to learn more about Egyptian culture, engage in a wide variety of cocurricular activities and improve their Arabic-language skills. News@AUC caught up with some Egyptian and international students during orientation week to learn about why they decided to join AUC and what they look forward to this semester. Here's what they had to say: 

Amanda Robles, an international student, studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., is looking forward to forming a strong base for Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, in addition to acquiring a thorough understanding of the regions that practice those languages. "When it comes to subjects regarding the Middle East, [my home university] does not offer many options for courses," she said. "In comparison, AUC has an extensive list of courses which range from the culture of different areas in the Middle East to language, politics, and economics; this is why I chose AUC. I haven't seen a university that offers a list of courses as impressive as AUC, and since my university partners with AUC, I thought it would be an excellent option!"

Olivia Voss, an international student studying international relations at the University of North Carolina, is looking forward to improving her Arabic-language skills. "I wanted to come to AUC because it has a great reputation, and I want to improve my Arabic. I have wanted to travel to Egypt since I was a kid," she said. "Everyone has been so kind already, and my expectations going forward are to make many great and long-lasting friendships and to improve my understanding of the region."

Vebjørn Hole Uleberg, an international student pursuing a Master in International Management/CEMS, came to AUC because it is the only CEMS academic partner in Africa and the Middle East. CEMS, or the Global Alliance in Management Education, is also the only AUC program ranked by the Financial Times and The Economist. "I find Egypt — with its culture, language, and people — very interesting," he said. "AUC is also the only University in the MENA region that is part of the CEMS network, meaning that it must be of high quality while also giving a unique cultural experience."

Uleberg is also looking forward to "seeing and experiencing what Egypt is like, including learning Arabic, getting to know locals and traveling all over the country," he added.

 

Marissa Jean Haskell is joining AUC from the United States. She had previously studied abroad at AUC as an undergraduate student. "I loved being here and in Egypt so much that I was looking for an excuse to come back," she said. "One of the main reasons I returned to AUC is the quality of professors here. At AUC, it seems like every professor is a well-known scholar in their respective field, so I am excited to learn from such renowned professionals. I am expecting to not only substantially broaden my knowledge of education and global affairs but also take advantage of the opportunity to grow my international network."

Egyptian students are joining AUC from more than 12 governorates across the country, including Giza, Monufia, Beni Suef, Ismailia and Gharbia.

For freshman Marwan Gamea, one of the main reasons he applied to AUC is sustaining a reasonable balance between academics and cocurricular activities. Gamea's intended major is data science, which "is exclusively available at AUC."

Salma Omar, a freshman intending to major in graphic design, decided to join AUC for the balance that it offers between the quality of education and the cocurricular activities that allow her to find her passion in various fields. "I thought it would give me the best education and environment to thrive," she said. "I am looking forward to building a solid foundation for my future and enjoying college life while still learning about my passion."

Lama Khallaf is another freshman intending to major in electronics and communications engineering who has chosen AUC for its liberal arts education that would prepare her for a strong career. "I'm hoping to really enjoy the diversity of courses that are offered. Although I'm an engineering major, I still have interests outside my major that I want to be able to pursue," she said.

Fahad Muhammad Dankabo, a freshman intending to major in political science, expects to make the best use of his time at AUC on so many levels. "I want to be able to develop both academically and socially," he said. Dankabo was overwhelmed with the welcome he received from everyone since he joined AUC. "The peer leaders' dedication truly reflected on the three-day orientation. It was simply superb and worth emulating. Everything was well-coordinated and executed. What a way to set a high standard for newcomers. Thank you for making it easy for me to blend into my new family."

On the last day of classes, students surprised their professors with handwritten notes to express their gratitude for their ongoing support in online learning despite the unusual circumstances.

 

Walid Kazziha, professor of political science:

“A number of students sent me thank you notes during the semester. However, the most rewarding gesture of thanks that I received from them is when at the end of the last class, they unmuted the sound and video and each one of them carried a note of thanks expressing their appreciation. For me, it was a thrilling gesture, which I will always cherish."

Read more here.

 

Tarek Selim '92, '95, professor of ecomomics:

"A gratifying moment from my wonderful students in the feasibility study class (Econ 4012). They were one of the best feasibility classes I taught, and I have been teaching at AUC for the past 20 years."

 

Soraya Altorki, professor of anthropology:

"I was very touched by the message that I received from my students in ANTH 1099 on the last day of classes this semester. It reads: 'We love you professor! Thank you for the amazing course.' It is truly gratifying to get [my] students' feedback like this. It is an experience that says it all."

Hania Sholkamy '85, '89, associate professor at AUC's Social Research Center:

"In my Introduction to Community Development course (Anth 2201), my students surprised me. They are a wonder bunch and made the course interesting and dynamic. I am thanking them for their kindness. They said 'thank you,' and that really meant a lot to me. So in sharing this with you, I am thanking them."

 

Students in the marker research class also decided to surprise their professor, Hakim Meshreki (MBA '05), visiting assistant professor of marketing, and show him love and appreciation. Nathalie Nabil Kamel, senior, who decided to share with us the story on behalf of her class, says:

"A class member sent the idea in our project group, and then we created a students only group to coordinate. No one hesitated to join this celebratory action for Dr. Hakim, I guess because he's not only our doctor, [but also] he checked up on everyone who missed class, every class he asked how we were and gave us advice to help us mitigate the stress. All his classes were enjoyable, even the difficult chapters, and we wanted to show him the appreciation we had for him."

 

Hakim Meshreki (MBA '05), visiting assistant professor of marketing:

"Toward the end of the last class, students stunned me with a wonderful thank you note that represents the best reward an instructor can get from his students. Though they were not forced to do so, they showed that good work, care and dedication pay off. They were able to understand the essence of my teaching philosophy, which is knowledge, fun and love . For this, I am thankful and grateful to all of them."

 

 Sonia Zulfiqar, associate professor of chemistry, 

“It is an overwhelming experience for me to earn so much love, affection, and respect, given the fact that I am teaching this course for the first time."

Read more here.

 

Yasmine Saleh '91, associate professor of practice of clinical psychology,

“When the students asked me at the end of the class to stop sharing my screen since they had something that they wanted to share with me, I had no idea what was going on, and I was genuinely very surprised. This was unexpected and SO appreciated, after all we have been through together.”

Read more here.

Daoud Siniora, assistant professor of mathematics and actuarial science

"I feel honored to teach such beautiful minds and future stars. The main lectures were pre-recorded and sent to students in advance. On lecture days I hosted optional live Zoom sessions for further discussions on the material, homework problems, and beauty of mathematics. When the semester became very stressful, I made all deadlines flexible, meaning that students may submit their work as soon as they can. I also supplied my students with detailed lecture notes covering the whole course so they do not need to worry about taking notes. From time to time I give easy short quizzes so students can keep up with the course. We had a WhatsApp group that included the students, teaching assistants, and myself so that we all stay connected with each other as one team."

Taking an active stance to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace, students in Managing the Human Capital class engaged in a real-life, experiential learning project with DHL Global Forwarding to address this challenge. Their recommendations will be used by the company’s HR department.

“I really enjoyed the experience of coming up with real solutions for DHL,” reflected undergraduate student Menna Fathy. “It seemed easy at the beginning; however, the more research you do, the more details you have and the more complex the implementation of the solutions turns out to be. I feel that people with disabilities are underestimated in Egyptian society, and [we should all] raise awareness of how we can integrate them into the workplace.”

Estimates of people with disabilities in Egypt have ranged from 1.8% to 11% of the population from 2006 to 2011. The Egyptian law requires companies with 50 employees or more to hire 5% of people with disabilities. “People with disabilities are often paid the minimum wage and may be happy with that, so what we are seeing is a tick box exercise,” explained Nellie El Enany, assistant professor of management and course instructor. “Having a diverse workforce is one thing, but honest inclusivity takes time, strong leadership and an organizational culture of acceptance and empathy.”

One of the reasons behind the lack of integration could be that the recruitment and selection processes are not thoroughly thought out and aligned with the human resources strategy or that of the organization as a whole, explained El Enany.

“When you recruit and select, it should be regardless of disability. But then if somebody has a disability, you have to make the workplace work for them,” emphasized El Enany. “If organizations are not doing this, their workplace is not diverse and, therefore, cannot be inclusive. They are losing out on a whole talent pool that can add value to the organization. Rather than adding to existing social issues and stigmatizing people with physical and mental disabilities, organizations need to recognize how diversity and inclusion are positive for everyone, both within the workplace and the wider society.”

Throughout the course, students in El Enany’s class explored the conceptualizations of disabilities, how they differ across the world, the different disabilities and their impact on job acceptance rates, best practices, the perception of people with disabilities in the workplace – positive and negative disability discrimination - and how they impact the way people with disabilities perform and are being assessed.

“I believe that people with disabilities are not getting the opportunities they deserve just because of the stigma around disability in Egypt, which is extremely unfair in my opinion,” said undergraduate student Nada Madkour, based on her group project. “Policies should be implemented that protect people with disabilities and force organizations to provide them with equal opportunities of employment.”

Based on their wider research, students were then tasked with supporting DHL’s human resources department by providing recommendations of what can be done to recruit and train people with disabilities, highlighting whether the process would be different than the standard procedures and considering aspects including mobilities impairment, mental health awareness and learning difficulties. Students also provided practical recommendations for how DHL can make the most effective use of their current employees with disabilities to benefit both the organization and employees through training leaders and managers and rethinking the company culture.

“Honestly, I was surprised by the quality of the students’ research and their efforts to gather all this data,” said Fady Labib, HR director at DHL Global Forwarding. “While they were presenting, I felt they were experienced employees presenting a real business-life situation and giving valid suggestions for developing solutions. I will use their assignments and research to implement different aspects in DHL and, soon, you will hear about their ideas being used and processed.”

Labib recalled when he was closely involved in a family issue where the breadwinner was disabled and the family was suffering because their income didn’t match the average income of Egyptian families. “I thought to myself: Why do disabled people earn minimum wages? And then I realized it’s because companies like us don’t rely on their productivity. We just pay their minimum wages,” he said. “From there, I started to think that we need to leverage our disabilities workforce rather than pay them the minimum wages while they’re staying at home. I really believe that the young generations (Gen Z) who have a [good] education can view problems differently than us and suggest new ideas.”