AUCians can stay home and stay safe, but they can’t stay inactive. Check out some of the creative ways they’ve been spending their time during the quarantine.
AUC’s Musical Talents Shine
This is Not a Concert
It’s not a concert, but it is a series of spectacular performances put on by some of AUC’s most talented musical artists. You can watch all the performances here
Dina Iskander, adjunct professor of voice and founder and director of the AUC Opera Ensemble, sings a Broadway tune and a tribute to David Llewellyn Hales (1957–2020), a musician, accompanist and coach who worked with students and ensembles at AUC, and as a reminder to stay strong during these challenging times. 
John Baboukis, professor and director of AUC’s music program, initiated This is Not a Concert series to provide “musical comfort food” during the quarantine 
Nesma Mahgoub ’13, adjunct professor of voice at AUC, founder and director of A caPop choir and professional singer, sings Rise Up and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.
Quarantining hasn’t stopped Arthur Bos, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biology, from making music. Bos has been recording songs during “Quarantine Sessions” from his home in Cairo for the AUC community and fans around the world to enjoy during this time Watch his videos.
“To teach online, take good care
Just don’t look at the camera and stare
And you really need to know which screen to share”
School of Business faculty members Ahmed Abdel Meguid, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration at the school, and Hakim Meshreki, assistant professor and Master of International Management/CEMS academic director, collaborated on this fun song about online instruction mishaps and tips. Take a listen here.
Writer’s Corner
From day one to 161…and counting
The Caravan presents: Daily Diaries, everyday reflections from the AUC community.
Read the narratives capturing life under quarantine for different people.
“I say count your blessings. It may be the fact that we are forced to stay in that is making it unbearable along with the uncertainty of the future. Nonetheless, there is always a positive side to every downfall.” — Lobna Fayez ‘17, senior specialist, external affairs, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy
Playwriting Bakeoff
Members of the AUC community put their creative skills to the test when challenged to write a play script in just 48 hours. Read the scripts.
Workstation Selfies
“I am really delighted to be able to interact with my students and keep them going right from the first week of online teaching. Delivering the lectures during scheduled class time, using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, allows students to be interactive by participating in real-time questionand-answer sessions.” — Abdelaziz Khlaifat, professor, Department of Petroleum and Energy Engineering 
“The transition to online teaching has been smooth. Of course, there are challenges, but according to feedback from my students, they are satisfied. These are difficult times for us all, and we all have to come together and support each other by being understanding of how the disruptions to our daily routines have affected all aspects of our lives. I am thankful for how the AUC community as a whole has been very supportive.” — Adel El Adawy, assistant professor, Middle East Studies Center 
“We don’t always get the chance to work outdoors and enjoy the sun and breeze. This is an opportunity to make the best of the current circumstances. Stay positive, stay safe and stay home!” — Caroline Mikhail (MA ‘14), executive assistant to the chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering 
“I’ve discovered that making videos of my lectures is a great resource. Students tell me they like being able to rewatch any part they didn’t catch the first time. I can tell from online responses that they are catching more of the content than they do taking notes in person.” — Elisabeth Kennedy, visiting assistant professor, Department of History 
“I gave my first online presentation through Zoom in the final course for the Professional Educator Diploma, and I rocked it! Keep it up, believe in yourself and stay safe.” — Islam Ahmed, School of Continuing Education student 
“The transition to remote teaching has been an overwhelming experience. We have gained a huge amount of knowledge in a very short time, and for that, I am extremely grateful. Distant learning is full of potential that is now smoothly implemented, and we will continue benefiting from it even after these hard times are gone.” — Mariam Abouhadid, adjunct assistant professor, Department of Architecture 
“Working from home is definitely a new challenge for me, especially while having two kids around, but during these difficult times, we all have to stay home and stay safe so we can get through this together.” — Ragya Sorour, executive assistant to the chair, Department of Biology 
“Teaching online from home proved what I used to say to my trainees: ‘Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who do not use technology will be replaced.’” — Osama Sebaai, instructor and teacher trainer, School of Continuing Education 
“Working remotely is sometimes challenging, but it has definitely pushed me to find creative ways to maintain productivity. It also helps when my dog is by my side in every online meeting I attend. She is my support system.” — Suzan Kenawy ’09, ’20, marketing manager, AUC Press and Bookstores 
“These difficult circumstances enabled me to discover how patient, kind and understanding my professors are. Thank you to all AUC staff members who work in silence in order to ease our online journey.” — Samaa Abdelhamid, AUC student
Where in the World are Our Alumni Quarantining?
“I am the corporate financial planning and analysis manager at PepsiCo headquarters in New York. I’ve got some work-from-home tips for everyone: Set a daily working hours timetable to be focused, dress up to freshen up, take refresh breaks every couple of hours, stay more connected with your teammates, organize a simple workstation and motivate your family members.” — Farah Haggag ’10, ’12 
“We graduated from the architectural engineering program in 2016. We just got our master’s in urban design from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Now we are volunteering with an advocacy group called Car Free Day to apply what we have learned during our master’s program in the city.” — Islam Ibrahim El Banna ’16 and Aya Khaled Abdelfatah ’16 
“I graduated with a master’s in international human rights law and a graduate diploma in forced migration and refugee studies in 2006. I have fond memories of my schooling at AUC. I am currently teleworking in Silver Spring, Maryland, as the deputy director of the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation with USAID. When things calm down and travel is available again, I will be working for USAID in Khartoum, Sudan, as the deputy director of Food for Peace.”— Felicia Genet (MA ’06) 
“COVID-19 has hit the United Kingdom hard, and little did we know that we will be staying home. I am a program leader for Further Education and Training at Edge Hill University. COVID-19 has shown us here in Liverpool the power of people coming together. The great Arab community in Liverpool and the Arabic center’s initiative to provide food and support for families are exceptional. Liverpool is one of the beautiful cities in North West England that always makes me feel like I am in Alexandria or Port Said because of its waterfront and beautiful seas. Regardless of the current situation and remote work, I feel lucky to be able to hear the birds singing in the garden and see the occasional seagulls trying to steal some food.” — Shereen Hamed Shaw ’06
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