The American University in Cairo Hosts the First Lady of Singapore

The American University in Cairo (AUC) welcomed Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, First Lady of Singapore, on a special visit to the University’s New Cairo Campus. Mrs. Ittogi was accompanied by a Singaporean delegation and received by Ehab Abdel-Rahman, AUC provost; Hala El Said, University counselor and Hania Sholkamy, associate professor at the Social Research Center.

“AUC is honored to host Mrs. Ittogi and her accompanying Singaporean delegation. This visit is powerful evidence of the role universities play in connecting cultures, nurturing dialogue, and advancing knowledge across borders,” said provost Abdel-Rahman. “At AUC, we take pride in offering our students a global perspective, both inside and outside the classroom, that prepares them to become leaders and changemakers in their own communities and globally.” 

During the visit, the delegation toured the Rare Books and Special Collections Library (RBSCL), where they explored Mining the Library: An Exhibition by AUC Arts Students in Curatorial Practices. The exhibition highlighted the creativity of AUC students in reinterpreting the University’s archival holdings through innovative curatorial approaches. The delegation also toured the Creswell Room that includes a distinguished selection of Arabic manuscripts, rare books, historical magazines, maps, and archival materials. These collections, which document monuments and historic sites across Egypt, reflect AUC’s role as a custodian of knowledge and cultural heritage, preserving treasures that serve both scholarship and the broader public.

Mrs. Ittogi also met with a delegation of 15 AUC students, including two from Singapore, for a wide-ranging discussion on education, cultural dialogue, and student life at AUC. The session reflected AUC’s longstanding commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and its mission to prepare students for global leadership.

This visit reinforces AUC’s leadership as a global university, fostering dialogue and understanding across cultures.