Inspired to Achieve
An avid reader of Arabic
poetry, as well as stories by
Nobel laureate Naguib
Mahfouz and prominent writers such
as Yusuf Idris and Tawfik El Hakim,
Gehad Moawad is a member of
AUC’s Arabic Literature Club. She is
also a delegate at the student-run
Model United Nations and World
Economic Forum, as well as assistant
to an Arabic studies professor. She
won first place in the Student Union’s
Real Life program for her Bank
Industry project, participated in a
dialoguing initiative with international
students and worked as a fundraiser
with Volunteers in Action student
club. A recipient of the Suzanne
Mubarak Public School Scholarship,
Moawad is making the best of her
time at AUC. 
“The variety of activities I’m in
have helped develop my
communication, presentation and
marketing skills, but most importantly,
they taught me how to express myself
freely,” she said.
Ranking third across Egypt in the
thanawiya amma exams, Moawad found
doors open for her at many
universities, some offering full tuition
scholarships. However, her choice to
come to AUC was inspired by her
dream to become an ambassador one
day.“I am using the opportunity of
being here at the university to
broaden my knowledge in order to
successfully represent my country
abroad,” said the 19-year-old, speaking
with passion about her love of Egypt.
“Even if I do not become an
ambassador, as long as I’m serving my
country with the knowledge and skills
that I acquired, then I’m satisfied.”
Receiving the Suzanne Mubarak
scholarship was of special significance
for Moawad. “I have always looked up
to Mrs. Mubarak as a defender of
women’s rights, so getting a
scholarship in her name is very special
to me,” she said.
Throughout her
two years at the
university, Moawad
has come to
appreciate the
American system of
education. “It’s very
different from what
I’m used to; I like
its flexibility,” she
explained.“We are
encouraged to
create our own
schedules, select
electives that we like and choose our
own professors. It makes me feel free
and independent.”
Moawad added that the intercultural
diversity at AUC is also a major
advantage. “I got to meet different
people and am constantly exposed to
various ways of thinking. I feel I have
grown intellectually.”
The Suzanne Mubarak Public
School Scholarship Fund is awarded
to the most talented female students
from Egypt’s public schools.AUC is
the first university in Egypt to offer
the Public School Scholarship Fund
(PSSF), granting full scholarships each
year to 20 of Egypt’s most outstanding
public school students. Since the
program’s establishment in 1990, more
than 200 students have graduated
under PSSF, more than 70 percent
with high or highest honors and some
have received the President’s Cup.
For more information on how you
can contribute to the fund, call
+2.02.2615.2491 or e-mail
develop@aucegypt.edu or
karimaam@aucegypt.edu.
By Dalia Al Nimr
Photo by Ahmad El-Nemr