Dean Huss and Professor Bijan Visit AUFC (July 5-10,2009)

Meeting with Dean Ossman, Dr. Gomaa, and Dean Huss

The Deans signed the Certificate of Achievement to be awarded to the faculty participants in the case authoring and case teaching workshops delivered by Dr. Bernhardt in December 2008. Dean Huss and Dr. Fazlollahi participated in the Open Houses in Alexandria and Cairo (described in separate news item)

As the earlier planned meeting with the Mission Director of USAID for 07th July 09 in Cairo was cancelled, informal discussion was conducted on project extensions beyond 2010 during the Open House in Alexandria. The Deans were assured that there would probably be no hurdles in extending the project duration. However, USAID-Egypt could not officially grant an extension at this time because of some internal matters. Dr. Fazlollahi also spoke with the Mr. Richard Laliberte, the Chief of Party USAID Contractor of the TAPRII as well as the USAID Officer in charge of TAPRII, Mr. Ali Kamel. They are keen to continue supporting the GSU projects in Egypt. They also informed that Andrew Lewis will be coming back to Egypt to do a small project on educational strategy.

Meeting with Ms. Manal El Samadony (USAID), Dr. Gomaa, and Ms. Riham Ismail

It was decided that the grant would pay for administrative assistants to be hired in Alexandria for AU-EMBA Project. Dr. Bijan also indicated that the total funds are limited and if the money is exhausted now, there will be less for a possible third year. Ms. Manal stated that if the project showed progress, there will probably be more money coming for the project. Another point discussed was Dr. Bijan’s reply to the question “Why not joint degree?” Dr. Bijan had said that a joint degree was not possible for the EMBA being presented at the Open House. Dean Fenwick Huss had added that Joint Degree may be discussed for future as it was not the objective of the current project.

Visit to foreign student dormitories at Alexandria University

Dr. Gomaa and Riham Ismail accompanied Dr. Bijan to the dormitories of Alexandria University students. The area includes many multiple storey buildings for students. Several stories of one of the buildings were prepared for foreign students’ residency. In the foreign student section the students had small single rooms (10 ft * 10 ft) with a desk and a small single bed. The showers, wash basins and toilets were in a common area and that area was clean. The dining area was also in good shape. Dr. Bijan was told that students from Virginia Tech and University of Connecticut take regular courses in the joint degree program and stay there. The charges were $250/month for room and board (2 meals a day).

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