Students and instructor for the Citadel international financial certification course at AUC.

As part of its mission to provide services to students, faculty, staff and the Egyptian community, AUC’s Citadel Capital Financial Services Center (CCFC) recently held for the first time an international certification program in financial applications.

The one-week workshop introduced participants from the banking and corporate sectors to 3000 Xtra, a Reuters Web-based application that provides updated financial and economic data, as well as tips on retrieving accurate news on Egyptian and global markets. Participants were given real-time access to stock exchanges, information on stocks and bonds, foreign exchange and interest rates, as well as other financial information. After passing a regional Reuters exam, they were registered as certified users of the application.

Haytham Shaheen, assistant dealer at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and an AUC alumnus, believes that such a certification will be of great benefit in his current job. “The application is used daily at the bank as a forecasting tool. This workshop will help me save time and effort in getting financial information about markets in Egypt and worldwide,” he explained.

First batch of the Nadhmi Auchi fellowship recipients: front row: Mostafa Nashaat and Caroline Nassif; back row: Mahmoud Gomaa, Salma Shokralla, Vice Provost Ali Hadi, Director of Graduate Student Services Sawsan Mardini, and Reham Hussain

Ten students have been selected from Egypt and the Arab world as the first batch of recipients for the newly established Nadhmi Auchi Young Arab Leaders Fellowship Program. The fellowship is awarded to Egyptian and Arab students in a variety of fields who have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to community service.

For many of the fellows, the scholarship represents a unique opportunity for self-enhancement. Reham Hussain, one of the recipients, explained that as a woman, her education is blazing a new trail for her family. “No woman on my father’s side has ever been to university, and here I am getting my master’s,” exclaimed Hussain, who is majoring in migration and refugee studies.

Salma Shokralla, who will study sociology and anthropology, finds the fellowship a chance to enhance her practical skills in the field, particularly after working in a non-governmental organization for several years. “As I worked, I got to know more about what I wanted to do in life, but I also realized that I need more background and practical experience,” she commented. “The program here gives you both an academic framework and a practical toolset. That sort of combination is very valuable, and that’s why I joined AUC.”

Azzazy, Ramadan, Abou Zeid and Davidson received distinguished awards at commencement

At the 85th commencement ceremonies, four faculty members were presented with awards, which recognize their achievements and contributions to the university. These are Mohamed Abou Zeid, construction engineering professor; Adham Ramadan, visiting associate professor of chemistry; Charles Davidson, assistant professor of political science; and Hassan Azzazy, chair of the chemistry department,

Abou Zeid received the Excellence in Academic Service Award for his active participation in a number of organizations on and off campus. Abou Zeid heads the Academic Integrity Council and serves as a distinguished visiting administrator at AUC's Office of Institutional Planning, Assessment, Research and Testing. He was also chair and vice chair of the University Senate for four years. Outside of AUC, he is a board member of Clemson University’s Center for Academic Integrity and Egypt’s newly established Quality of Education and Accreditation Authority. He is also a member of the Egyptian Shurra Council’s education committee and serves on the national committee to promote women’s education and research. In addition, Abou Zeid is a member of several regional and international scientific organizations.