Pack of Cards

After asking United Nations agencies in Egypt to come and show their support for the Model United Nations programme last September, the student organisers attempted to do the same with their families and professors at a reception for parents and faculty at the American University in Cairo (AUC) this year. "The student participants spend so much of their time and effort putting together the Model United Nations conference that their parents and professors should know more about what this is all about, what they learn from it all, becoming thus more understanding and appreciative," Yasmeen Guindy, head of the MUN public relations committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly. And so they did, dears, turning out in droves and filling the Oriental Hall to capacity, I may add.

Graduate Adviser Soha Abdelaty, Sherif El-Sayed, secretary-general of MUN, and Rafik Riad, head of the organising committee, gave a full and fascinating presentation of the reasons why MUN is such an important step in the learning process. By the sound of it, we may look forward to the appearance on the international scene of a vibrant new crop of young Egyptian diplomats.

The ballroom was aglow with alumni and distinguished business guests, all waiting impatiently for Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, under whose auspices the event was held. Unfortunately, Ebeid was otherwise detained and could not attend, but the whole event was permeated with the assurance of his support. Head of the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange Sameh El-Turguman, towering above everybody as usual, told Al-Ahram Weekly and the rest of the gathering that he was optimistic about the Bourse's state-of-the-art opening in the new year -- with computerised trading floor and all.

After dinner, Glen Jenkins, head of Cambridge Resources, said that the most important thing that had happened during his stay in Cairo was his long-awaited visit to the Pyramids, admitting that in 10 years of visits to Egypt, he had been too busy for tourism. He commended both El-Turguman for work well done and his innovative adviser, Baher El-Hifnawi, who took leave from an illustrious career abroad to enlighten Egypt's business sector with his knowledge of the digital economy. Moderating the event was Ayman Salah, the Bourse's dynamic and charming executive director for press and media relations, a star in his own right because of his weekly Monday show on Nile TV.

Aziza and I rubbed shoulders with great stars from the financial and banking sector, the Ministry of International Cooperation, the General Authority for Free Zones and Investments, as well as guests from neighbouring Sudan's Arab Agricultural Investment Authority. At the end of the dinner, some 35 alumni received graduation awards.