AUC launches empower scholarship to train students in civic engagement

The American University in Cairo (AUC) announced today that it will launch a new scholarship in the fall to give five top students from Assiut, BeniSuef, Menya, Sohag and Fayoum governorates the opportunity to pursue an AUC undergraduate education in the major of their choice.“Through the AUC Empower scholarship, we will continue to create opportunities for the brightest minds in Egypt to take full advantage of all that an AUC education has to offer,” said AUC President Lisa Anderson.

Students from both public and private high schools who have demonstrated involvement in civil society or community service, as well as a history of academic excellence, are eligible to apply.The program’s graduates will be equipped to serve Egypt and the region as engaged citizens who embody the values of civic responsibility, leadership, cross-cultural competence, professionalism and tolerance.“Recipients of this scholarship will receive hands-on civic education and training, develop leadership abilities and build decision-making skills hallmarks of an AUC education and the cornerstone of engaged citizens,” said Anderson.

Student from the five governorates across Egypt will also take part in a rigorous leadership program that will instill an understanding and respect of human rights, as well as a commitment to civic engagement.“The new Empower scholarship enables students to gain an understanding of the most pressing human rights issues in Egypt and the necessary education and skills to advocate for respect and protection of these rights,” said SohairSaad, director of the Leadership for Education and Development program (LEAD), which is a joint collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development, the Ministry of International Cooperation and AUC. Saad will be managing the Empower program.

Successful candidates for the scholarship will benefit from the University’s academic programs, as well as the civic education and training they will receive through partnerships with well-established Egyptian nongovernmental organizations. Selected students will also have the opportunity to participate in the youth leadership and civic engagement programs organized by AUC’s John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement. In addition, the Empower scholarship program will contribute to diversifying the student body by giving students from different governorates access to the University.