October 6 University

Visit to October 6 University: Dr. and Professor Sally Michael Hanna, Associate Dean of Education at October 6 University, picked up at 7:15 AM for a day of lecturing at and visiting October 6 University. We arrived at the university at 9:30 AM, a bit later than usual due to heavier traffic. October 6 University (O6U) is one of the first private universities in Egypt. It reminded me of the growth of the College of DuPage, which began in cornfields and now has expanded to many times its original size. O6U was created in open desert with minimal surrounding construction in 1996. Now, it has many new facilities and is encircled by large apartment complexes and malls.

O6U Growth: Sally has worked at the university since 2000. She bought the shell for an apartment near the university, but has postponed developing it as well as moving in. It is unusual for a single woman to live alone in Egypt; and she has concerns for her safety in the current political environment. The university has 14 faculties providing the majority of specializations in the social, applied, and technological sciences. The student population is estimated at 1200, a third of which are international students comprising 47 nationalities. The university has signed cooperation agreements with many foreign and Egyptian academic institutions.

International Ties: In between lecturing* on American culture and values (individualism, time, directness/openness, privacy, competition/achievement, gender equality, social mobility, equality/informality, and taboos), I had a tour of the campus grounds and met Ambassador Dr. Kheireldin Abdellatif, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees for International Strategies and Cultural Relations. He has been an ambassador (India, Oman), served in government posts, and now has an interest in establishing international ties at O6U. Sally and I spent some time discussing the possibility of such an initiative between COD and O6U with him.

Campus Tour: I received a replica of the university's insignia in a blue, velvet case. O6U has attractive landscaping: lawns, a round reflecting pool, a long row of tall palms, and a sculpture garden reflecting the country's ancient history. The latter is a mini-gallery, since students in the tourism faculty need access to a museum to complete their program. It's a stunning addition to the grounds, which are carefully maintained. Lunch was at a campus hotel restaurant for VIPS. Definitely, I felt like one after the three course meal, followed by a cappuccino picked up at the student union, before the second lecture. I am so appreciative of this inside look at an Egyptian institution of higher education. Attending classes where students are discussing the latest topics (postmodernism, etc.), electing a student union president, and hanging out in the student union amongst trendy mosaic murals and a chic café gave me hope that Egypt is making progress despite its difficulties and current political turmoil. We drove past the library on the commute back, an impressive building whose resources Sally says need improvement. Traffic was much lighter on the Corniche this evening; many people probably staying away due to clashes near the American Embassy. Since I live there, I had to return. Sally dropped me off right at my doorstep at 5 PM, just as she had picked me up nine and a half hours earlier in the day. My visit was an effort to introduce diversity in an Egypt which is battling for its identity, between two visions: those of democracy and Islamism. [*I did notice that male and female students sat on opposite sides of the room. When Sally asked us to come together for a group photo, the division remained with the male students careful not to make bodily contact with me.]

Courtyard at O6U with modern statue of Akhenaten.

Carol, Sally at O6U.

Pool at O6U.