AUC Welcomes New Students and Distinguished Faculty for 2025–2026 Academic Year

The American University in Cairo (AUC) kicked off the 2025–2026 academic year, welcoming over 1,100 new undergraduate and graduate students from across Egypt and around the world. With students representing more than 60 countries, AUC offers one of the most diverse learning environments in the region. Within Egypt, the University continues to attract a significant number of students from all over Egypt.  This year, the University also welcomed distinguished new faculty members across a wide range of disciplines, enriching both teaching and research excellence. 

In a message to the AUC community, AUC President Ahmad Dallal highlighted the significant increase in the number of applications over last year, which is a testament to AUC’s strong reputation in an increasingly competitive international environment.  “Our freshman class has top performers in each degree, including some of Egypt's highest achievers in IB, IG, Thanawiya Amma and other high school diplomas. The Excellence Scholarship program awarded more than 360 scholarships to 256 students. This year, 58 outstanding students received full-tuition scholarships,” Dallal noted.  “We also welcome a strong cohort of new faculty in 16 fields who come from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Australia, and Egypt.”

According to University data, AUC’s international students come from all around the globe, with the top countries represented including the United States, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, France and Nigeria. The growing strong interest in joining AUC, both regionally and internationally, is a clear vote of confidence in the University’s continued efforts to introduce diverse new programs along with the already established ones that earned international recognition.  Matching the needs of modern industries and the future job market, engineering programs remain among the most sought-after disciplines, with mechanical engineering, electronics and communications engineering, architecture, computer engineering, and construction engineering ranking as the top five majors of choice. 

New students, starting their studies this semester, expressed their enthusiasm to join AUC, noting that among the top reasons they chose to join were the University’s liberal arts system, state-of-the-art campus, and academic excellence.

“I did a lot of research and explored different colleges, but AUC’s strong alumni network, advanced curriculum, and beautiful campus felt like a three-in-one opportunity for me,” said Khadijah Abdallah, a Dogwood Diploma holder. “I wanted a strong film program, but also something beyond film- a place that would let me explore other creative paths. AUC’s liberal arts education is the best way for me to do that.”

For Hanan Osama, an American Diploma graduate, the appeal was the chance to combine diversified topics in her studies. “I loved the idea of studying scientific subjects such as psychology or biology alongside my major,” she said. “AUC has been a dream of mine since I was in grade 10, and I am beyond grateful that I was able to achieve it.”

AUC also continues to attract distinguished faculty, enriching the learning experience offered to the students.  New faculty members joining the University this year include experts in architecture, arts, English and comparative literature, management, history, economics, philosophy, public policy and administration, rhetoric and composition, sociology, Egyptology, and anthropology. Their diverse knowledge and international experience will open new opportunities for students and reinforce AUC’s role as a hub for innovative research in the region.