Monday, 25 May 2026
Hala El Said
Former Egyptian minister named AUC University Counselor to boost national partnerships
The American University in Cairo (AUC) has announced the appointment of Hala El Said, a prominent Egyptian economist and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development, as its new University Counselor. El Said succeeds Tarek Shawki, former Minister of Education and Technical Education, who has served in the role since May 2023. Shawki will now return to his academic position as a faculty member in AUC’s Department of Mechanical Engineering within the School of Sciences and Engineering.
AUC President Ahmad Dallal welcomed El Said’s appointment, highlighting her critical role in strengthening ties with Egyptian institutions.
“Dr. Hala El Said will play a key role in advancing our relationships with national universities, the Supreme Council of Universities, and the Egyptian government,” Dallal stated in a message to the AUC community. He also expressed gratitude to Shawki for his contributions, noting that Shawki’s tenure significantly enhanced AUC’s collaboration with government bodies and national institutions, furthering the university’s public service mission.
El Said brings a wealth of experience as an economist, public servant, and academic leader. From 2017 to 2024, she served as Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Monitoring, and Administrative Reform, and later as Minister of Planning and Economic Development, where she spearheaded the development of Egypt’s Vision 2030, a national strategy for sustainable development.
Previously, she chaired The Sovereign Fund of Egypt, served as the first elected Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, and sat on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Egypt. El Said also led the Egyptian Banking Institute, transforming it into the first internationally accredited financial training body in the Middle East and North Africa. She holds a PhD in Economics from Cairo University and has published extensively on financial reform, international finance, and economic development.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, El Said said, “I am deeply honored to join AUC as University Counselor, a role dedicated to advancing the university’s relationships with national universities, the Supreme Council of Universities, and the Egyptian government.” She emphasized AUC’s role as a hub of intellectual rigor and innovation, stating, “At a time of profound technological and societal change, universities like AUC are vital in shaping leaders who can bridge cultures, drive sustainable development, and transform knowledge into meaningful impact.” El Said underscored her commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships to empower future generations of leaders across Egypt and the region.
AUC, a leading English-language, liberal arts institution in the Middle East, continues to foster critical thinking and innovation through its academic programs and strategic partnerships. El Said’s appointment signals AUC’s ongoing commitment to advancing education and public service in Egypt and beyond.
For more information about AUC, visit www.aucegypt.edu.