Our Diverse Community, Our Common Goal
By: Hanya Captan
Editor-in-Chief
Last week, AUC celebrated the inauguration of its 13th president, Ahmad Dallal. Throughout its century in Cairo, AUC has never had a president who is of Egyptian or Arab origin. President Dallal is the first Arab-American to lead AUC.
We often talk about diversity in relation to someone’s heritage, gender, or maybe even age. Though this type of diversity is always cause for celebration, due consideration should be given to the diversity of thought and experience attributed to the individuals involved.
President Dallal’s diversity does not simply stem from his heritage, but also the diversity of his experiences. He began his academic journey in the field of mechanical engineering before turning to Islamic studies for his MA, MPhil and PhD.
Mixed into his scholarly accomplishments, President Dallal has also taught at several prestigious American universities. He has also taken on a series of leadership roles within these universities.
The combination of all these impressive feats speaks to the new president’s diversity of experiences. AUC isn’t just diverse because of its international community. It is diverse because of the broad range of majors it offers, and the many people that make up its community.
It is also diverse because of the myriad of experiences brought into the classrooms. President Dallal will do just that when he begins teaching in the ARIC department. His students will be immersed in a world of learning that has been fashioned over decades in academic, social and personal exchanges in the universities he has been at in the past two decades.
The point that I am trying to make here is that President Dallal will be able to relate to the trials and tribulations – and triumphs – of the AUC faculty. That is certainly a plus.
Students at the parade last Monday were carrying a banner which said “Our Diverse Community”. It isn’t about the students being from more than 40 nationalities, but more about what we bring to academia and the learning process. Diversity is about absorbing the maximum benefits of a liberal arts program. Be diverse in your knowledge. Be diverse in how you apply that knowledge.
That is the key selling point for AUC. Our liberal arts program is a cause for growth and empowerment. It’s what gives AUC its edge.
In his inaugural speech, President Dallal praised AUC’s liberal arts education as the cornerstone of AUC’s educational vision. On that note, he expressed his optimism that AUC will continue to break new ground and reach new heights.
In light of the pandemic, the lockdowns, the tragedies and the mental health challenges this community has faced in the past 19 months, such optimism is more than welcome.
It’s up to us whether we stay on campus and interact with the community or we go back home and live life through a computer screen.
