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Addressing the bachelor’s candidates at the midyear commencement ceremony, Mohamed Ibrahim, AUC trustee and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that aims to establish good governance in Africa, stressed the importance of giving back to their nation and to the African continent in general. “There is an economic basket of goods that needs to be established for good governance –– human development, infrastructure, education, human rights and institutions that the government will be responsible for –– and we all must ensure this,” he said.
Ibrahim called on the graduates to make change in the continent and the world through creativity and innovation. “I encourage you to think outside the box,” he said. “We shouldn’t just remember Africa when there is a football game. … We all need to work to take this place forward, and that is only going to happen with good governance.”
At the ceremony, Yousef Jameel ’68, Saudi businessman and devoted AUC alum, and André Raymond, professor emeritus of Arabic studies at the University of Provence in France and keynote speaker at the master’s ceremony, each received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Of the 326 diplomas awarded, 38 students graduated with honors (cum laude), 41 with high honors (magna cum laude) and 29 with highest honors (summa cum laude).
Among the undergraduates recognized were business administration major Dalia El Tayebi, who received the President’s Cup for the highest grade point average in the senior class. Hashim Larry, also a business administration major, received the Parents Association Award for blending academic achievement with student activities. Computer science major Marian Abdel-Shahid received the Ahmed H. Zewail Prize for Excellence in the Sciences and Humanities, and construction engineering major Sherif Sweillam received the Ahmad El Mehallawi Family Award for his academic excellence and contribution to community-service activities.
Undergraduate class representative Safaa Abdoun, who graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communication, urged her peers to aim high and never settle for the path of least resistance. “Dare to dream and believe in yourself, because if you do, others will also believe in you. … Don’t settle for what you know you can accomplish. Challenge yourself to pursue the impossible,” she said.
At a separate graduate ceremony, Raymond delivered the keynote speech, placing a burden of responsibility on the graduates’ shoulders. “You here tonight, no matter what your backgrounds, are the privileged ones of society, and as such, you will be expected to put forth an effort commensurate with your past excellence and your current success,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the master’s candidates, Noha Zaki from the MBA program explained the importance of maintaining personal identity.
“Even though we might be dressed tonight in identical caps and gowns, I believe that individuality is the key to success,” she said. “There is a leader inside each and every one of you. So, dare to mobilize ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. Dare to transform values into actions, visions into realities, obstacles into innovations, separateness into solidarity and risks into rewards. Dare to turn every challenging situation into remarkable success.”
Moataz Al-Alfi Award Recognizes Service
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President David Arnold and AUC Trustee Moataz Al-Alfi presenting the award to Yomna Safwat |
The Moataz Al-Alfi Family Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Social Innovation was inaugurated at the midyear commencement. The award honors students who have shown proactive participation in civic engagement with a commitment to a particular cause, and have proven leadership and innovation in their pursuit.
The recipient receives recognition on a plaque at the new campus, funding for one year of tuition and a trophy. Moataz Al-Alfi, AUC trustee, chief executive officer of EK Holding Company and vice president of the Future Generation Foundation, provided funding for the award.
Yomna Safwat, business administration sophomore and the first recipient of the award, established The Right Road student club last year to promote and spread awareness about safe driving in Egypt. After losing her brother to an automobile accident in 2006, Safwat felt inspired to do something about road safety. “I believe car accidents are a preventable danger,” she said.
The club is currently working on establishing ambulance centers throughout the Katameya area, increasing signs on dangerous roads to warn drivers, repairing street conditions, and offering courses on first aid and defensive driving.
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