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CASA@AUC in the Palace

Dalia Al Nimr
October 7, 2024

Students in the Center for Arabic Student Abroad (CASA@AUC) program are back to taking classes in AUC’s oldest building, the historic palace, which has been overlooking downtown Cairo for more than 150 years. 

“This move serves as a symbolic homecoming, highlighting the program’s growth and reaffirming its success and commitment to offering students a dynamic environment for Arabic language learning and cultural immersion.”

CASA@AUC students had been studying at the historic palace before relocating to New Cairo in 2008 with the rest of the University. They didn’t remain there for long and returned to AUC Tahrir Square with a dedicated space in Hill House, allowing students to experience the vibrance of downtown and engage in cultural events that enrich their learning. This year, they are back to studying in the historic palace, where AUC originally conceived the program. 

“The return to the palace is highly significant, as CASA@AUC continues to fulfill its mission of immersive Arabic language and cultural education,” said Iman Soliman, senior instructor and chair of the Department of Arabic Language Instruction. “This move serves as a symbolic homecoming, highlighting the program’s growth and reaffirming its success and commitment to offering students a dynamic environment for Arabic language learning and cultural immersion.”

“[This] revives a longstanding tradition of teaching the liberal arts, which include the study of language, in a setting defined by beauty and heritage."

Hear what CASA@AUC students feel about studying in the historic palace:

“Studying Arabic in the heart of Cairo at the historic AUC Tahrir campus is such a privilege. The campus's beautiful grounds and architecture, coupled with its modern facilities, are like an oasis for study and reflection. And all at arm’s reach from the energy and excitement we love about downtown Cairo.”

Jaron Sutton 

 

“The return of the CASA@AUC program to the historic palace at AUC’s Tahrir Square campus revives a longstanding tradition of teaching the liberal arts, which include the study of language, in a setting defined by beauty and heritage. With its stunning architecture, lush greenery and walls adorned with the names of renowned scholars from the Islamic and Arab tradition, there is simply no better place for CASA@AUC to thrive. The campus serves as a reminder of Egypt’s rich intellectual heritage and an inspiration to carry this legacy forward.”

Dani Bin Abdul Rahim 

 

“I spent some time doing research at AUC's archives last year and came across several photos of Umm Kulthum and her takht performing at Ewart Hall. When I found out that CASA@AUC would be held at the old campus, these images immediately surfaced in my mind. I was beyond excited to study in a historic place where these monumental musicians once performed. I still pinch myself every morning as I walk past Ewart Hall on the way to class, thinking of Kawkab al-Sharq, Muhammad al-Qasabji and all the other greats who have walked these halls, filling the place with music.”

Kira Weiss

 

 

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Lebanon in Crisis: Faculty Insights

Celeste Abourjeili
September 30, 2024

In the past two weeks, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and 6,300 injured by Israeli strikes. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was also killed on September 27. While the looming implications of this conflict remain unclear, we asked AUC faculty members who study the region to share their thoughts.

 

Why Conflict? Why Now?

 

Bahgat Korany, professor of international relations and political economy, broke down Israel’s objectives into three points:

  1. Militarily: eliminate the threat of an enemy, Hezbollah.
  2. Domestically: allow Israelis in the north to return to their region and feel secure, and increase support for the current Israeli government while it is still on the defensive because of the hostage crisis. A direct objective of prolonging the violence is to save Netanyahu from being tried on corruption charges.
  3. Regionally and strategically: show that Israel is the dominant power, omnipresent and multi-capable. It can do what it decides, and no deterrence whatsoever will work.

 

In a nutshell, “It is the present Israeli government that wants a regional war,” said Korany.

 

Jason Beckett, associate professor of law, gave an international law perspective. “Law of war contains two clear principles: the duty to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and the duty of proportionality.” In international law, “the targeting of walkie-talkies and pagers would probably be considered a war crime” and the targeted assassinations are also deemed “problematic."

“The number of casualties already approached in just two or three days what it was after 33 days [in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War].”

Social, Human Cost in Lebanon

 

The war has already had devastating effects in Lebanon, displacing as many as a million people internally and causing more than 30,000 people to flee to war-torn Syria. 

 

Sean Lee, assistant professor of political science, finds that the conflict’s human cost is “even worse than it was in the Israel-Hezbollah War in 2006” as “the number of casualties — the number of people killed and injured — already approached in just two or three days what it was after 33 days in 2006.”

 

Beckett said that prospects for human rights in Lebanon are “pretty awful,” speculating that essentially all rights will be broken. “The people of Lebanon suffer. They’ve been suffering anyway, but now they suffer more,” Beckett said, emphasizing the human impact of the attacks.

 

Economically, Korany said that “all indicators without exception show the deteriorating situation, from the worthlessness of the Lebanese currency to the shortage of medicine and basic goods.” Beyond economics, Korany pointed out that “Lebanon is already what we call in political science a ‘fragile/failed state,’ and with displacement from the south, the state’s incapacity to cope will increase.”

 

Prior to October 7, Lebanon was recovering from what the World Bank called one of the world’s worst financial crises since the 1850s. That crisis was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and domestic protests triggered by the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. In the years since those pivotal events, Lebanon had reached a period of political deadlock and economic depression, lasting until the country was dragged into an active state of war over these past weeks. 

 

“The Lebanese lira lost 90% of its value, and about 80% of the population live around the poverty line. Israeli military attacks are making a bad situation far worse,” said Korany. State actors, including the government and Lebanese Armed Forces, remain mostly uninvolved in the current war.

"Lebanon is already what we call in political science a ‘fragile/failed state,’ and with displacement from the south, the state’s incapacity to cope will increase.”

Future Expectations

 

“The situation is bleak,” said Beckett, who has low faith in the international community’s willingness to take action, such as through sanctions and embargoes. The U.S. response is the most relevant to the situation, which Beckett said “is a problem as Biden, Harris and Trump all support the Gaza genocide.”

 

According to Lee, “If we take certain Israeli cabinet ministers at their word, they would like to see ground invasion and occupation, if not even annexation of South Lebanon.” Lee does not think the annexation is realistic, but he noted that “Israel has a long history of occupying South Lebanon,” invading it in 1978 and 1982 and occupying it from 1982 until 2000. “It would not surprise me if [there is a ground invasion that] leads to a longer occupation, but I think that would also be very costly for the Israelis in both treasure and blood,” he said.

 

Beckett said he would like a situation where Israeli aggression is permanently curtailed and there is no need for Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Axis of Resistance to exist, “But that seems unlikely.” What must happen, in his view, is a U.S. change of stance on arming Israel. “Criticizing Netanyahu is not enough, especially when you continue to arm and diplomatically protect him. The invasion [in Lebanon] will continue for as long as it has U.S. support.”

 

Korany believes that two critical measures are needed to save Lebanon from its worsening situation: (1) an immediate ceasefire and pressure on Israel to stop its plans; (2) foreign funds to help those who left their homes in the south and rebuild medical services and general infrastructure so that people may go back.

 

Beckett concludes, “Theoretically, states have a duty to prevent war crimes and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, but they will not.”

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Egypt’s Best Thanawiya Amma Performers Come to AUC

Celeste Abourjeili
September 29, 2024

This fall, seven of Egypt's top 10 thanawiya amma students joined our student body. News@AUC met with six of these students, who shared their goals for their time at AUC as well as lifelong aspirations.

Mohamed Aboelfotouh, Math Section - Second Place

A male is standing. He is wearing glasses and a backpack

"I chose AUC because it is a prestigious university with a great reputation. There are also many successful AUC alumni, and that’s definitely something to look up to."

Mohamed Aboelfotouh

Where are you from?

I come from Alexandria, right on the Mediterranean!

What is your major and why did you choose it?

I’m a declared computer engineering student. I’ve always been impressed with the way computers work. I intend to study machine learning because I believe that understanding how AI works is crucial for future job opportunities.

Why AUC?

I chose AUC because it is a prestigious university with a great reputation. There are also many successful AUC alumni, and that’s definitely something to look up to.

What are your short-term goals?

I hope to make new, interesting friends and enjoy my time here. In the short term, I'm aiming to get a 4.0 GPA in my first semester because that would give me confidence in my abilities and boost my grades for the upcoming semesters.

What is your dream in life?

My main dream is to help make the world a better place and support people. I want to be one of the best experts in machine learning worldwide and contribute to designing many helpful programs.

 

Michael Ayad, Math Section - Second Place

A male wearing a green and blue striped polo shirt

"Being at AUC is a whole different experience for me, and the opportunities of self-development and career advancement are tremendous. So I think it’s a huge opportunity to harness."

Michael Ayad

Where are you from?

I am from Cairo. I was brought up in an Egyptian household and am grateful for the environment I was raised in.

What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am a declared computer engineering major. I have always been enthusiastic about fields of engineering, and I view computer engineering as the field of the future in the era of globalization and digitalization.

Why AUC?

Being at AUC is a whole different experience for me, and the opportunities for self-development and career advancement are tremendous. So I think it’s a huge opportunity to harness.

What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?

My dream is to help humanity in some way using the knowledge and experience I gain here at AUC. In the short term, I want to prioritize my success level throughout my University years, and hopefully I’ll be able to accomplish more achievements in the short term.

 

Ahmed Youssef, Math Section - Second Place

A male is wearing glasses and a t-shirt with the text: Realm of Sub Cultures

"[At AUC,], I have to work to prove myself among a big group of outstanding people with great achievements. I hope to make a change and leave a print in this world."

Ahmed Youssef

Where are you from?

I live a simple, quiet life in Obour City within Cairo.

What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am a declared electronics and communications engineering major. Studying electronics felt like a smart decision given the surge of AI technology, and electronics could be used to develop those tools. I also like to study modern topics, and electronics is relatively modern, to say the least. 

Why AUC?

"I chose AUC because it felt like a place where I’d have to work to prove myself among a big group of outstanding people with great achievements. Its style and vision are also very attractive to me given the whole ‘liberal arts’ system of education and how it works on improving us as people as well as whatever we are specialized in. 

What are your short-term goals?

I hope to adapt to the changes I’m currently experiencing, and to find stability and comfort in being a student. Then I could go on to participate in extracurricular activities to find community and improve myself.

What is your dream in life?

I hope to make a change and leave a print in this world, and continue to work on myself and develop as best as I can. I also hope to gain public attention by using my voice to talk about important topics and raise awareness of many issues, including the importance of mental health.

 

Mohamed Hany Said Mohamed, Math Section - Second Place

A male is standing. He is wearing glasses and a backpack

"I chose AUC because of its commitment to high standards of teaching and its wide variety of programs. My dream is to benefit the world and mark my name in history."

Mohamed Hany Said Mohamed

Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?

I am from the Ismailia governorate. I chose AUC because of its commitment to high standards of teaching and its wide variety of programs.

What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am a declared computer engineering major, and I chose this field of study because it combines my passion for programming and problem solving with my love for physics, mathematics and engineering in general.

What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?

My dream is to benefit the world and mark my name in history. In the short-term, I hope to continue my academic success and take advantage of the opportunities that AUC presents to become a more well-rounded student.

 

Mohammad Dawood, Math Section - Seventh Place

A male is wearing a polo shirt and putting his arms behind his back

"AUC is the best in Egypt. I want to get the highest GPA possible in my first semester."

Mohammad Dawood

Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?

I am from El-Beheira governorate. I chose AUC because it’s the best in Egypt.

What is your major and why did you choose it?

My intended major is electronics and communications engineering. I chose this major because I feel comfortable doing semi-physical and semi-electronic jobs.

What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?

My dream is to lead a peaceful life away from any distractions and disturbances. In the short term, I want to get the highest GPA possible in my first semester.

 

Ali Ahmed Hassan, Math Section - Seventh Place

A male is standing crossing his arms and smiling

"AUC provides us with many opportunities and has advantages that no other university does."

Ali Ahmed Hassan

Where are you from and what brought you to AUC?

I come from Ismailia and I came to AUC because it provides us with many opportunities and has advantages that no other university does.

What is your major and why did you choose it?

My declared major is computer engineering because I love everything that has to do with computers!

What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?

My ultimate dream is to make my parents proud. In the short term, I hope to become more fit.

 

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