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Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 10 - 16 February 2000 Issue No. 468
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Profile Travel Books Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters 'Life as a journey of learning'
By Dahlia Hammouda
The excitement in the grand hall was palpable: streams of people moving about trying to get to their seats; expectant eyes glancing at the hall entrances amidst a din of joyful chatter. When the moment anxious students had dreamed of for years arrived, the riveting music of Verdi's Aida suddenly filled the air. Dressed in black gowns and caps, 365 graduating students began their procession down the hall as proud parents rose to their feet clapping and frantically trying to catch a glimpse of their sons and daughters. Hands were waved and kisses were blown as the music perfectly captured the beauty of the moment.
The students -- the American University in Cairo's graduating class of February 2000 -- were at the mid-year commencement held at the Cairo International Conference Centre on 3 February to receive their Bachelor of Arts degrees. Their evening was to be a very special one, for not only were they celebrated for their academic achievements, but a very special fellow alumni was honoured that evening as well. Mrs Suzanne Mubarak returned to her alma mater to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and to deliver the commencement address.
AUC President John Gerhart read the citation listing Mrs Mubarak's contributions to social development for which she was being honoured. After Gerhart presented her with her degree, Mrs Mubarak began her address by saying, "Tonight is a great event for all; but it conveys a different meaning to each of us. Parents are undoubtedly both proud and relieved to see their children complete their studies. I know exactly how they feel, as I can still remember the surge of emotions and the pounding of my heart as I watched the graduation of my two sons from AUC."
Mrs Mubarak spoke of how her education at AUC prepared her to take on the social work in which she has been involved. "For me, personally, tonight is also very special, for I greatly appreciate my own university's recognition of my achievements. As I reflect back, I must acknowledge that it was the liberal arts education I received at AUC that equipped me for the kind of work I have been undertaking throughout the last 20 years. It was also during my undergraduate studies that I was challenged and encouraged to start my social service work in a small primary school in Boulaq.
"Little did I know then that all this was preparation for a much more important role that I was destined to play in Egypt's social development -- a role that has grown and evolved over the years. That role is guided by a vision of society that is people-centred and that seeks equity for all: the empowerment of the weak and vulnerable, so that they may be the producers of their own welfare and bounty -- not the recipients of charity or aid," she said.
Mrs Suzanne Mubarak surrounded by the American University in Cairo's president and members of the board of trustees in a commermorative photo
Addressing the graduates, Mrs Mubarak urged the protection of basic values, human rights and cultural diversity in a fast-changing world of globalisation and leaping technological advancements. "A liberal arts education, such as you the graduating class have received, is no doubt the best preparation for the kind of world we live in today and the one you will be building in the future. We need scientists who are aware of and concerned about the social and environmental implications of their applied technologies," she said. "We need social scientists who -- while appreciating the value of new scientific discoveries and innovations -- can help in understanding the impact on people's behaviour, attitudes and values."
Mrs Mubarak also stressed the need for mass communications specialists "who can help promote people's understanding of and ability to cope with the changing world around them."
Mrs Mubarak hailed the AUC as instilling in its students a desire for lifelong education. "This is why your graduation is not the end of your educational journey... AUC has prepared us all 'to learn to learn' -- and to look to life as a journey of learning."
At the conclusion of her speech, Mrs Mubarak urged the class to become involved in social service. "It is largely through your engagement with society that you will be able to help change the systems of the past to suit the newer ones and to push mentalities that only look to the past and the immediate towards the contemplation and preparation for the dawn of a new tomorrow," she said.
Amid cheers of family and friends, the young graduates walked up to the stage to receive their diplomas from the AUC president. Mrs Mubarak presented the three awards traditionally given to outstanding students -- the President's Cup, the Ahmed El-Mehallawi Family Award and the Parents Association Cup.
Previous recipients of AUC's honorary doctorate degree include: architect Hassan Fathi, writer Zaki Naguib Mahmoud, Senator James Fulbright, writer Moustafa Amin, writer Soheir El-Qalamawy, writer Andrea Shedid, Dr Magdi Yacoub, writer Ahmed Bahaaeddin, Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zewail, Dr Tharwat Okasha, novelist Naguib Mahfouz, actress Faten Hamama, Dr Laila Shoukry El-Hamamsy and writer Edward Said.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, who is also a former AUC professor, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Moufid Shehab and Minister of Education Hussein Kamel Bahaaeddin, along with other statesmen and public figures. AUC's board of trustees was also present, including Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zewail.
