EGYPT: University prepares for Obama

Ashraf Khaled 31 May 2009

Cairo University, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the Middle East, is being spruced up for the first time in more than two decades ahead of this week's visit by US President Barack Obama, where he will deliver a promised address to the Islamic World.

An army of restoration experts has been working diligently to complete their tasks before Obama appears in the main auditorium on 4 June to make his eagerly-anticipated address.

Obama, keen to convince the Muslim world that the US is not at war with Islam, will be the latest of a number of world leaders to visit the university, located in Giza south of the Egyptian capital. The list includes Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, former French president Jacques Chirac, former South African leader Nelson Mandela, and former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf.

Many academics have said they feel proud that Obana chose Cairo University for his speech. A selection of lecturers and 15 top students from each faculty of this government-run institution will attend the speech, according to local media reports.

But not all lecturers and students at the 101-year-old institution are happy. Several security measures implemented to ensure a smooth visit for Obama have angered them. One is a decision by the university administration to deny non-selected students and staff access to the campus on 4 June.

"This does not happen anywhere in the world, including the US," said Ahmed Lutfi, a professor in the university's economics and political science faculty. "I have not heard that the US has ever made one of its universities a no-go area for lecturers and students because of a head of state making an address in it. Unfortunately, such measures reflect the security-obsessed mindset in Egypt."

Some students are annoyed that Obama's visit coincides with the end-of-year examinations. As part of the security preparations, administrators decided to cancel examinations on the day of the visit.

"We were notified of the decision to delay exams scheduled for 4 June only few days ago," said Mahmoud Abdel Wahed, a commerce student. "This delay made at short notice has thrown our schedules into confusion."

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.