The American University in Cairo (AUC) concludes 2025 having strengthened its position as a leading global hub for research, innovation and public engagement, marking the year with scientific breakthroughs, academic innovation, strategic partnerships and high-profile international leadership.
Research Addressing Urgent Global and Regional Challenges
In 2025, AUC researchers led international efforts to understand the intersection of environment and human biology.
● Climate Change and Women’s Health- A landmark study by AUC’s Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology revealed a significant link between rising temperatures and increased mortality from women’s cancers in the Middle East and North Africa. Analyzing more than two decades of data from 17 countries, the study found that higher temperatures are associated with increased deaths from breast, uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers, underscoring the need for climate-informed public health policies.
● The Science of Aging- AUC researchers contributed to a groundbreaking global study published in Nature Medicine identifying how social inequality and pollution accelerate biological aging, providing a new framework for understanding cognitive decline across 40 countries.
● Brain Health Leadership- AUC announced the launch of the African Brain Health Institute Fellowship Program, a collaborative initiative with the Global Brain Health
Institute and Aga Khan University in Kenya. Designed as a one-year program hosted across two African sites, the fellowship aims to train a new generation of African leaders in brain health research and policy, with a curriculum grounded in the continent’s social and cultural realities.
● National Policy Impact- In healthcare policy, AUC faculty joined an international initiative to assess the strengths and vulnerabilities of Egypt’s healthcare system. The project marked Egypt’s entry as the first African country into the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience.
● Global Research Recognition- AUC PhD candidate Shimaa Farag was the only researcher from Egypt and the Arab world to win the 2025 Eni Award for Young Talents from Africa. Her research introduces eco-friendly wastewater treatment that bridges microbiology and environmental sustainability. This approach addresses water scarcity and pollution in climate-vulnerable regions while curbing antimicrobial resistance.
Academic Innovation and New Fields for a Changing World
From AI to Egyptology, AUC continues to launch future-ready programs that define regional excellence.
● Egyptology Endowment- AUC established the Amelia Peabody Endowed Professorship and Research Fund in Egyptology, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa. Awarded to Distinguished University Professor Salima Ikram, the endowment supports advanced research, teaching, and fieldwork in Egyptology.
● AI in Media- The Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism launched a new AI Journalism Diploma, equipping media professionals with practical and ethical tools to navigate artificial intelligence in news production, storytelling, and newsroom management.
● New Disciplines- AUC introduced new academic offerings, including a sustainable energy minor, a genomics and biotechnology specialization, and a restructured music major, reinforcing its commitment to interdisciplinary education aligned with emerging fields.
Strategic Industry and Government Partnerships
AUC’s role as an innovation engine was reinforced through high-level partnerships
● Tech and Manufacturing- AUC was selected to lead the Invest with Confidence De-risking Tech Startups Alliance, a national initiative aimed at strengthening Egypt’s electronics design and manufacturing sector.
● Biotech and Safety- The University also partnered with Minapharm Pharmaceuticals to help establish Africa’s first Biotech Academy and signed a landmark agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum and Methanex Egypt to launch Egypt’s first professional diploma in Process Safety Management.
● Empowering Women in Tech- Additionally, AUC’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation partnered with Capgemini to equip 100 women with AI and digital freelancing skills, advancing inclusive economic growth.
Culture, Heritage, and Public Engagement
Beyond academia and industry, AUC deepened its cultural and public engagement in 2025
● AUC’s School of Continuing Education collaborated with the Grand Egyptian Museum and offered professional training for tour guides and photographers.
● Also, AUC Tahrir2025 CultureFest returned with a vibrant celebration of Cairo as a global city, featuring exhibitions, performances, book discussions, and public programs.
● AUC Press also marked the 90th birthday of Sir Magdi Yacoub with the launch of the paperback edition of A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub.
A Global Platform for Dialogue
On the global stage, AUC hosted the 19th International Media Management Academic Association Conference in Egypt to discuss the administrative and economic challenges facing media organizations in Egypt and globally. It also co-organized the inaugural IMF MENA Economic Research Conference, reinforcing the University’s role as a bridge between academic research, policy, and practice.
Together, these milestones reflect a year in which AUC advanced knowledge, expanded opportunity, and strengthened its global engagement, shaping solutions with impact far beyond campus.
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