AUC Provides Business, Leadership Training for Ain Shams Medical Students

The School of Continuing Education (SCE) at The American University in Cairo (AUC) announced the launch of the Business Leadership in Healthcare Certificate for medical students of Ain Shams National University(ASU). The new program, the first of its kind in Egypt, is designed to equip approximately 450 medical students each year with essential business and leadership skills for the healthcare sector. It is now a requirement for all Ain Shams medical students to support the advancement of healthcare education nationwide.
Commenting on the launch of the new program, Noha Salem, assistant director of grants and special programs at SCE, noted: “By integrating leadership and business competencies early in their careers, the program helps build a new generation of healthcare leaders capable of improving systems, efficiency and patient outcomes.”

Launched last month, the program equips medical students with essential skills in leadership, management, digitized healthcare and strategic thinking skills through hands-on, interactive learning. Delivered through eight modules, the 125-hour program combines interactive sessions, group discussions, real-life case studies and project-based learning.

Reinforcing its commitment to lifelong learning, SCE aims to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and real-world leadership skills through this program, encouraging medical students to think beyond clinical practice into the skills that are still necessary for the administrative side of medicine. “This represents a shift in medical education toward producing holistic healthcare professionals, explained Salem. “In today’s healthcare environment, medical professionals are not only clinicians; they are decision makers and team leaders. Skills such as strategic thinking, project management, teamwork and organizational leadership will make students stronger healthcare providers, ensuring they know how to interact strongly with patients and understand the business framework of medical care,” Salem added.

The new program also paves the way forward for continued partnerships between SCE and Ain Shams University. The initiative marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between various schools and departments across Ain Shams and AUC, with the potential for expanded joint programs, research initiatives and cross-disciplinary training. “Inter-university collaboration combines the academic and medical expertise of Ain Shams University with the professional development and training excellence of AUC’s School of Continuing Education,” Salem emphasised. “Such partnerships enhance the quality and relevance of education, benefiting students and institutions alike.”

By strengthening students’ capacity to manage teams, improve clinical workflows and contribute to healthcare reform efforts, this program helps build a new generation of healthcare leaders capable of improving systems, efficiency and patient outcomes. “The Business Leadership in Healthcare Certificate will strengthen healthcare institutions across Egypt. Ultimately, it will raise the standard of healthcare leadership nationwide, supporting Egypt’s broader vision for sustainable development and innovation in the medical sector,” Salem concluded.