The Pyramids. Luxor and Karnak Temples. Irrigated agriculture. Water
wheels. Papyrus boats that sailed the oceans. The Nile Barrages. Suez
Canal. Aswan High Dam. Preservation of Abu Simbel. El-Salaam Water
Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the world's most
impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt. The
History of Engineering is a 3-credit course offered jointly by AMIDEAST
Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World and the Faculty of
Engineering of Cairo University. Topics addressed during the 3-week-long
course range from ancient engineering feats such as the temples and
monuments of ancient Egypt to ancient and modern water resource
management and irrigation. Preservation and restoration of historic
sites, including ancient monuments, mosques, churches and synagogues
will also be covered. These topics are addressed through lectures,
discussions and numerous site visits and excursions.
History of Engineering students participate in program-organized
excursions to many parts of Egypt to visit major attractions and
historical sites. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Egypt in
conjunction with the program's academic staff and are led by a member of
the Cairo University engineering faculty. Organized activities are
combined with free time, allowing students to explore independently
within a safe and structured framework. Excursions will include visits
to: The Giza Plateau – site of the Great Pyramid and Sphinx Luxor and
the West Bank of the Nile to visit ancient temples, monuments and tombs
Aswan and the Aswan High Dam Abu Simbel The Nile Barrages Irrigation
Museum Major Islamic monuments in Cairo The Suez Canal and El-Salaam
Water Project Ongoing preservation and restoration project In addition
to the 3-week History of Engineering program, students can also choose
to extend their experience in Egypt by participating in the 4-week
Intensive Arabic Summer Session I which takes place the four weeks prior
to the History of Engineering course.
Academic Staff
History of Engineering will be taught by a team of Cairo University Engineering faculty members led by Dr. Abdallah Bazaraa (PhD, Colorado State University), Dr. Sherif Mourad (PhD, UC Irvine) and Dr. Hafez Abdel-Azeem. They will deliver lectures, lead site visits, and accompany students on the tour of Upper Egypt. In addition, a group of distinguished guest lecturers will address the group.
Excursions
History of Engineering students participate in program-organized excursions to many parts of Egypt to visit major attractions and historical sites. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Egypt in conjunction with the program's academic staff and are led by a member of the Cairo University engineering faculty. Organized activities are combined with free time,
allowing students to explore independently within a safe and structured framework.
Excursions will include visits to:
The Giza Plateau – site of the Great Pyramid and Sphinx
Luxor and the West Bank of the Nile to visit ancient temples, monuments and tombs
Aswan and the Aswan High Dam
Abu Simbel
The Nile Barrages
Irrigation Museum
Major Islamic monuments in Cairo
The Suez Canal and El-Salaam Water Project
Ongoing preservation and restoration project
Orientation
Upon arrival in Cairo, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students participate in an orientation designed to introduce them to Egyptian culture and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Students move immediately into their accommodation for the program. Topics such as safety and health, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are all discussed during orientation. During the on-site orientation students also meet the faculty and become familiar with the program's IT environment.
Scholarships
History of Engineering is supported in part by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. A limited number of $1500 travel grants are available to support students who receive Pell Grants and Stafford Loans.
Transcipts
Students receive credit for their program through an AMIDEAST grade report or (if requested) through AMIDEAST's Institution of Record, Northeastern University. This Northeastern University transcript will carry an additional fee.
