Recognizing one of AUC's generous supporters - a well-known Iraqi businessman and philanthropist - a reception was held in London honoring Nadhmi Auchi for establishing the Nadhmi Auchi Young Arab Leaders Fellowship Program at the university. In addition to the business professionals and diplomats in the audience, the event was attended by the ten students who represent the first class of Auchi fellows at AUC.
AUC President David D. Arnold and his wife Sherry Arnold hosted a reception and dinner in honor of Nadhmi Auchi and his wife Ibtisam Auchi at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, London, to recognize their generous sponsorship of ten graduate fellows from Egypt and the Arab world. In his speech, Arnold praised Auchi's efforts, highlighting the importance of providing youth with high-quality education and encouraging them to take part in the development of their countries.
Addressing attendees, Auchi, who serves as president of the Anglo-Arab Organization in addition to other professional responsibilities, suggested two roadmaps to counter stereotypes and negative images about the Arab world among the West. The first entails encouraging excellence in education and business, and the second necessitates connecting and involving Arabs living abroad with their home countries.
The ten Auchi fellows attended the Nadhmi Auchi Enrichment Seminar and Roundtable Discussion, also held in London. Sponsored by Auchi and moderated by Arnold, the event included presentations by the Auchi fellows as well as three keynote speakers, who discussed various topics. The first discussion, "Egypt's Alliance of Hope: The Path to Enlightenment," focused on religious tolerance and was delivered by Ahmed El-Mokadem, vice-chairman and co-founder of the British-Egyptian Society.
AUC alumnus and businessman Ramzi Dalloul delivered the second lecture, "Industry and Entrepreneurship," which shed light on business opportunities in the Middle East. Dalloul is president of Arab Investments and Management Corporation NV and serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Astra Horizons Group Ltd. The third lecture was delivered by Eugene Rogan, a scholar and lecturer in the modern history of the Middle East, and director of the Middle East Center at Saint Anthony's College, Oxford. The lecture discussed political changes in the Arab world.
Reflecting on the event, Sawsan Mardini, director of graduate student services at AUC and administrator of the fellowship, noted, "It was a great opportunity for the ten fellows to benefit from the seminar combining cultural exposure and academic exchange, and to visit London."
The Nadhmi Auchi Young Arab Leaders Fellowship Program was established in 2008 to develop leadership and management skills among future Egyptian and Arab business leaders. It provides a full-tuition scholarship and living expenses for students to study at AUC's graduate program for two academic years.
