CAIRO: In ceremonies attended by representatives of the U.S. and Egyptian governments, AUC welcomed 34 new students from 22 Egyptian governorates selected to receive full academic scholarships as part of the Leadership for Education and Development (LEAD) program. The event – marking the admission of the seventh class of LEAD students – was attended by U.S. Ambassador Margaret Scobey; AUC President David D. Arnold; and senior officials from the Ministry of International Cooperation. Established in 2004, LEAD offers full scholarships and accommodation to public school students-one male and one female-from each of Egypt's governorates. LEAD is a joint program of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation and AUC. It provides distinguished Egyptian students graduating from government schools to attend AUC. The program provides the students with opportunities to develop their leadership and intercultural skills through training, workshops, teamwork, symposia and conferences. It also provides them with opportunities to implement these skills to serve Egyptian communities through the university's extensive relationships with civic groups and societies including student clubs and partnerships with national and international NGOs. In her remarks, Ambassador Scobey lauded President Arnold's work to establish the LEAD program, which she called one of the most beneficial programs that the U.S. has been associated with in Egypt. “It was a remarkable vision shared by the USAID of how to take advantage of an excellent university that is both absolutely Egyptian and absolutely American,” she said. Scobey urged the new LEAD students to take advantage of this distinctive opportunity to learn, develop and have fun at the same time. Since the inception of the program, AUC has welcomed more than 355 students to the LEAD program. Seventy-three students have graduated and 56 additional students are expected to graduate by the end of this academic year. Several AUC LEAD graduates were recognized at the ceremony for academic and leadership achievements. Arnold noted that the LEAD is a unique scholarship program at the university, as well as an added benefit to AUC, which thrives on the academic and civic contributions of talented and motivated students from throughout Egypt. “It is also a program that emphasizes cultural exchange as most of the LEAD students have opportunities for the study abroad experience in the U.S. and many of them participate in international conference activities and outreach programs,” he said. Ingy Zaher, a LEAD student from South Sinai governorate, was persistent about joining the LEAD program and continued to apply until she was accepted. “I wanted to join AUC because it would expose me to different cultures and different backgrounds,” she said. “The best thing about AUC is that it doesn't only focus on academic performance but also the extra-curricular activities that will develop my skills and personality,” she said. AUC allocates 17 percent of its operating budget – $18 million annually – to provide deserving students with a wide range of scholarships and financial aid to assist them in with the costs of a university education. BM
