Introduce yourself in three words or phrases
A thinker, a learning enthusiast, and an innovator.
What makes you get up in the morning?
My passion is higher education and empowering youth.
Tell me about a defining moment in your career.
There are several, of course, but certainly one moment that stands out for me was my inauguration at the British University in Egypt in December 2021, and my return once again to my beloved country, where I aimed to contribute to the Egyptian higher education system.
I saw this as a privilege and opportunity to make a lasting impact and support students in becoming future leaders.
What do you like most about your job?
Working with students. It is invigorating because of their enthusiasm, their curiosity, and their belief that they can positively change the world.
Their “can do” attitudes energise me and make me want to have a positive impact on students’ lives, encompassing both academic and personal aspects, significantly enhancing their chances of success and helping them pursue their dreams and ambitions by providing a stimulating and supportive educational environment that enables students to develop their intellectual and practical skills.
Moreover, my colleagues. I deeply believe in developing their personalities in a balanced manner, building self-confidence, refining leadership skills, and enhancing the ability to face challenges. We are preparing them for citizenship with a global outlook.
If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?
There are many interesting languages I’d like to study, and Chinese is one I’d like to delve into. My visits to Asia increased my interest in their culture. It’s a beautiful, intricate, and rich language
By embracing this language, we can unlock vast opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnerships that can drive innovation and mutual growth.
At BUE, we have a sterling Chinese Language and Culture Department in our Faculty of Arts and Humanities, so perhaps I’ll start there.
Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?
Two people come immediately to mind.
BUE’s chancellor, the world-renowned heart surgeon, Magdi Yacoub. He has shown throughout his lifetime that by being a humanist and humble, you can change the world. Dr Magdi has gifted the world with his outstanding medical accomplishments. He has also made it an infinitely better place with his philanthropic work. Throughout it all, he has proved himself the perfect role model for the youth.
The second is the famed footballer, Mohamed Salah, who stands out as one of Egypt’s most accomplished and disciplined athletes, with a commitment to excellence. Simultaneously, he works tirelessly through his charitable foundation to support hundreds of families in need in his hometown. He also supports education and refugees with the UNHCR. He has reminded us all that despite having the world at his feet, he has never forgotten where he came from and the importance of honouring his roots.
Describe a project or initiative you are currently working on that excites you.
There are many initiatives that the University is carrying out that I’m involved in; however, two are particularly close to my heart, as they support Sustainable Development Goals, a cornerstone of our university’s strategy. They are our annual Marathon, which supports a different SDG each year, and the COP Simulation Model. Both are in cooperation with the UNDP.
This year, our Marathon was in support of SDG4 – Quality Education. We had over 12,000 runners descending on our campus. The sense of community was heartwarming.
And this year, we’ll be taking our COP Simulation Model – a student-led conference – to Brazil for COP30, where, once again, our students will learn how to negotiate and bring their initiatives to life on a global scale.
Furthermore, I am committed, in my role as president and vice-chancellor of BUE, to promoting interdisciplinary scientific research in collaboration with international universities, as I believe this approach is vital for driving innovation and addressing global challenges effectively. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on a sustainable future.
Book or podcast recommendations for others in the sector?
A book I highly recommend is Global Mega-Science: Universities, Research Collaborations, and Knowledge Production by David P. Baker.
This insightful book highlights the critical role that universities play in advancing scientific research and fostering international collaborations, ultimately shaping how knowledge is created on a global scale.
