AUC unveiled a new clinical research diploma last week — the first in Egypt — in collaboration with ClinGroup, a leading global health solutions provider. 

“This pioneering one-year program, developed in collaboration with ClinGroup, responds to a critical need in the local and regional healthcare sectors,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “It is designed to equip professionals to manage all stages of clinical trials — from patient recruitment to ensuring compliance with regulatory and ethical standards while prioritizing patient safety.”

The one-year program will offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge for clinical research coordination. It will cover various essential topics, including the foundations of clinical research, study design, biostatistics, bioethics, grants, medical writing and technical procedures for conducting controlled clinical trials in accordance with international standards.

With the recent approval of clinical trials by Egyptian law, there is a growing demand for trained professionals to coordinate and manage these trials. “The targeted trainees for this diploma will include physicians and graduates of health-related disciplines, such as pharmacy, who are interested in pursuing careers in clinical research,” said Mohamed Salama, professor at AUC’s Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology who is coordinating the diploma.

“This diploma program responds to a critical need in the local and regional healthcare sectors. Graduates will be well prepared to contribute meaningfully to healthcare innovation and scientific advancement."

The AUC ClinAcademy Professional Diploma of Clinical Research will strengthen clinical trial and research capacity in Egypt, supporting the government’s vision for sustainable human development. “This diploma program exemplifies the synergy between industry and academia, combining theoretical learning with hands-on experience,” said President Dallal. “[It] responds to a critical need in the local and regional healthcare sectors. Graduates will be well prepared to contribute meaningfully to healthcare innovation and scientific advancement.” 

The diploma will be offered through AUC’s Engineering and Science Services, which will design the scientific content and provide the lectures through qualified instructors from current AUC faculty and external experts. “On the other hand, ClinGroup will provide practical experience and internships to apply the learned content in real-time projects and recommend qualified faculty for the program,” noted Salama.

Hossam Kabbani, executive director of AUC's Engineering and Science and Services, emphasized the University's commitment to excellence in responding to the evolving demands of various industries in professional education, equipping individuals with the tools they need for success. "In a rapidly evolving world, ESS is dedicated to providing transformational professional education and training in clinical research, pharmaceutical and cosmetics development, project management, sustainability, facility management and various engineering programs," he said. "This is made possible through our team of highly qualified instructors from both academia and industry, utilizing the latest educational tools, laboratories, and computer facilities."

Dr. Nadia Cheaib, founder and current president of ClinGroup, emphasized the importance of ClinGroup’s values and vision in sharing 23 years of expertise across more than 50 countries. “Developing the collaboration between The American University in Cairo and ClinGroup comes as a logical progression of ClinGroup’s expansion across the Middle East and Africa,” she said. 

This winter, AUC graduate students experienced firsthand the ins and outs of giving back on a field visit to the Egyptian Food Bank, where they learned about nonprofit management as well as community welfare and support in the Volunteer Management course taught by Professor Shahjahan Bhuiyan.

At the Egyptian Food Bank, students interacted with senior management, visited the factory and packed food boxes, among other service activities that helped them gain awareness of how ground operations differ from theory. “It gave me a hands-on understanding of managing volunteers and showed me how important it is to communicate clearly and lead with purpose,” said Hind Al-Helaly, a TV and digital journalism master’s student. “It wasn’t just theory; it was about making a real difference,” she added.

Among three guest lectures in the course, one was a presentation by Professor Carmine Bianchi of the University of Palermo on localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Another lecture by a Sawiris Foundation representative covered the prospects and challenges of the volunteer sector in Egypt, while the final lecture discussed community-centered solutions through a visit from the Greenish foundation’s co-founder.

“The course is meant to make students aware of the importance of volunteering and its inherent power to improve the quality of lives,” said Bhuiyan. “The mantra of volunteering is ‘risking lives to serve others,’ thus giving a new meaning to life.”

“It wasn’t just theory; it was about making a real difference.”

That mantra certainly made a mark on Bhuiyan’s students. “The course was both inspiring and transformative,” said Alyiaa Morsy, a public policy master’s student. “The fieldwork taught me the true power of volunteering — how it unites people, drives change and leaves a lasting impact on communities.” 

The Volunteer Management course attracted students from various AUC programs, including public administration, public policy, political science, engineering, journalism and mass communication, TV and digital journalism, and film. 

Omar Darwish, a public administration master’s student, said he would like to continue volunteering in the future. “The course has equipped me with knowledge of volunteering and issues that challenge its management,” he said. “Through field visits, I learned to boost my  performance and achieve effective teamwork and interaction.”

As conflicts, disease, climate change and migration persist, Bhuiyan believes that volunteering will continue to be a vital part of development efforts around the world. “The role of volunteers cannot be overemphasized,” he said.