History
The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service in the Middle East. For its first 27 years, the University was shaped by its founding president, Charles A. Watson, who wished to create an English-language University based on high standards of conduct and scholarship, and to contribute to the intellectual growth of the future leaders of Egypt.
Education
The University offers 36 undergraduate, 44 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world. It also offers a globally recognized professional community-based education in English to meet the needs of the dynamic Egyptian and broader regional economies.
Research
- AUC is committed to actively transfer research and innovation through technology licensing and collaborative partnerships delivering tangible benefits to the community.
- AUC boasts 16 research centers that promote collaborative research across a wide array disciplines.
- The Science and Technology Research Center supports a variety of nanoscience and technology- oriented projects. Research activities are centered around generic imaging, analysis and fabrication equipment and focus on nanomaterials characterization and design and fabrication of micro-opto-electromechanical systems.
Career
The Employability and Career Development Centers (ECDC) project was born out of a partnership between AUC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the goal of establishing career centers in Egyptian public universities to aid university students in developing and showcasing the skills required by the current job market.
Through the project, three centers were established at Ain Shams University (ASU)– Main Campus, Ain Shams University (ASU) – Faculty of Engineering, and Suez Canal University (SCU). AUC’s own Career Center was central in providing its technical expertise and in building the capacity of ECDC staff.
Short Courses
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2024
415 1
2023
416 29
2022
445
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2024
801
2023
801
2022
801
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Student services
The Office of International Student Life (ISL) aims to weave the global dimension into the fabric of AUC. The office serves incoming international students with the purpose of internationalizing campus. It collaborates with other university offices, local, and global entities; thus supporting the liberal arts dimension of the university mission.
Library services
AUC's main library boasts nearly 500,000 print volumes, 130 electronic journal subscriptions and is home to the largest English-language collection in Egypt, the AUC New Cairo library is the hub of study, research and investigation on campus. The library is home to the Learning Commons, your go-to spot for research and technology help.
Medical services
The AUC clinics at both AUC New Cairo and Tahrir Square offer comprehensive health care services to ensure the well-being of the entire AUC community. Provided services include medical advice, treatment, vaccines, pharmacy services, and recommendations for outside care. The AUC clinic also has provider relationships with the best hospitals in Cairo.
Campus life
Designed to accommodate 5,500 full-time students and 1,500 faculty and staff, AUC’s $400 million, 260-acre campus is technologically advanced and environmentally sensitive. Offering state-of-the-art resources to students and faculty from around the world, the campus weaves Egyptian urban and architectural traditions into a modern campus and is designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Sports facilities
- We serve the entire AUC community, mainly the students, faculty and staff.
- Sports equipment is available for every kind of sport for checkout free of charge at the control desk near the locker rooms.
- The athletics office provides aerobics classes for everyone (nine different types of classes plus fitness and healthy lifestyle).
- We supervise the gym and provide special programs focusing on weight loss, body building, fitness, endurance and fitness therapy for injuries, which are accessible to students, staff and faculty members.
Student clubs
Whether it’s watching the stars or women’s rights that spark your interest, you’ll find like-minded people in one of AUC’s 60 student organizations. The many extracurricular activities available at AUC reflect the diverse backgrounds and interests of the student body.
Joining a club lets you develop your personal skills and get involved in areas of community service, student government, culture and special interests, academics, or student conferences. The University also has several student-run publications including newspapers; The Insider, Caravan and The Independent, and AUC Times, a monthly magazine.
AUC operates within the framework of a 1975 protocol with the Egyptian government, which in turn is based on a 1962 cultural relations agreement between the Egyptian and US governments. In the United States of America, AUC is licensed to grant degrees and is incorporated by the state of Delaware. AUC is governed by a board of trustees and is administered by a chief executive officer appointed by this board.