Education is the entire horizon: Oman's first AUC graduate
Published: 04:04 PM,Apr 08,2025 | EDITED : 08:04 PM,Apr 08,2025
Muscat, April 8
Someone who has always had global affairs in mind, even as a young university student, 94-year-old Sharifa bint Mohammed al Lamkiyah was honoured by her university, the American University in Cairo (AUC), during the alumni meet in Muscat on Monday night at the Intercity Hotel.
The AUC Alumni Chapter event was chaired by HH Sayyida Hujaija bint Jaifer al Said, and the alumni talk featured Dr Noha El Mikawy, Dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She spoke about opportunities in the midst of global uncertainty.
'We travel all around the world to connect with our alumni, keeping them in touch with AUC and updating them with news from AUC. We have a good number of alumni from Oman, so we decided to have an event every year. It shows the loyalty of the students; at the same time, it is a great opportunity to share fond memories of university days,' said Raymonda Reif, Executive Director of the Alumni Engagement Office at AUC.
She mentioned that the significant part of this year's event was the honouring of Sharifa al Lamki, who was the first Omani graduate of the American University in Cairo. Sharifa received her degree in 1956.
'The fact that she is here shows the importance AUC has had in her life and career, so this was a unique moment to witness,' noted Raymonda.
Sharifa bint Mohammed al Lamkiyah was born in 1931 in Zanzibar. Her specialisation was in economics and political science (1951-1955), making her the first Omani graduate of the American University in Cairo, AUC. She was subsequently elected head of the African Student Association in Cairo after being approved by the former president Mohammed Anwar al Sadat, who was at that time the Secretary-General of the International Islamic Conference, the inaugural session of which was held in Indonesia in 1952.
When asked what she would like to say to today's students, she replied, 'Work hard.' By 1953, while still a university student, Sharifa had established a Swahili Department at the Egyptian National Broadcasting, and this meant working while she continued to be a full-time student.
About her university days, she said, 'Memories.' She worked with leading and prominent newsreaders and broadcasters, interacting with contemporary prominent figures such as the Egyptian movie star Lobna Abdl Aziz, the Egyptian author and journalist Louis Greis, the Jordanian ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman during the 70s, who later became a minister, Sohel Tel, and the Palestinian personality Mazen al Hossaini.
Her objective was clear, an independent Africa. In the 50s, it was a tough topic, and she faced challenges. But the meetings in the campus cafes with intellectuals for discussions shaped her thoughts and personality.
Upon returning to Zanzibar, she began her career path but desired a diploma in modern mathematics, which she obtained in Britain in 1963.
After completion, she worked with the Ministry of Education in Zanzibar. Teaching became her profession. Throughout the 50s and 60s, she wrote articles on public awareness, published in Zanzibar's newspapers. During the 1964 revolution in Zanzibar, Sharifa played a major role in assisting many Omani families and their children in moving off the island for safety.
In the 1970s, Sharifa joined her husband, Shaikh Nasser bin Saif al Bualy, in Oman, which marked the beginning of a new chapter. Shaikh Nasser was the first Omani ambassador appointed to the United Kingdom.
When asked what she would like to say to the world, Sharifa replied, 'I love you.'
Dr Asyah al Bualy, former assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, explained, quoting her mother, 'Studying is not just about attending universities and reading books; it is the entire horizon.'
Someone who has always had global affairs in mind, even as a young university student, 94-year-old Sharifa bint Mohammed al Lamkiyah was honoured by her university, the American University in Cairo (AUC), during the alumni meet in Muscat on Monday night at the Intercity Hotel.
The AUC Alumni Chapter event was chaired by HH Sayyida Hujaija bint Jaifer al Said, and the alumni talk featured Dr Noha El Mikawy, Dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She spoke about opportunities in the midst of global uncertainty.
'We travel all around the world to connect with our alumni, keeping them in touch with AUC and updating them with news from AUC. We have a good number of alumni from Oman, so we decided to have an event every year. It shows the loyalty of the students; at the same time, it is a great opportunity to share fond memories of university days,' said Raymonda Reif, Executive Director of the Alumni Engagement Office at AUC.
She mentioned that the significant part of this year's event was the honouring of Sharifa al Lamki, who was the first Omani graduate of the American University in Cairo. Sharifa received her degree in 1956.
'The fact that she is here shows the importance AUC has had in her life and career, so this was a unique moment to witness,' noted Raymonda.
Sharifa bint Mohammed al Lamkiyah was born in 1931 in Zanzibar. Her specialisation was in economics and political science (1951-1955), making her the first Omani graduate of the American University in Cairo, AUC. She was subsequently elected head of the African Student Association in Cairo after being approved by the former president Mohammed Anwar al Sadat, who was at that time the Secretary-General of the International Islamic Conference, the inaugural session of which was held in Indonesia in 1952.
When asked what she would like to say to today's students, she replied, 'Work hard.' By 1953, while still a university student, Sharifa had established a Swahili Department at the Egyptian National Broadcasting, and this meant working while she continued to be a full-time student.
About her university days, she said, 'Memories.' She worked with leading and prominent newsreaders and broadcasters, interacting with contemporary prominent figures such as the Egyptian movie star Lobna Abdl Aziz, the Egyptian author and journalist Louis Greis, the Jordanian ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman during the 70s, who later became a minister, Sohel Tel, and the Palestinian personality Mazen al Hossaini.
Her objective was clear, an independent Africa. In the 50s, it was a tough topic, and she faced challenges. But the meetings in the campus cafes with intellectuals for discussions shaped her thoughts and personality.
Upon returning to Zanzibar, she began her career path but desired a diploma in modern mathematics, which she obtained in Britain in 1963.
After completion, she worked with the Ministry of Education in Zanzibar. Teaching became her profession. Throughout the 50s and 60s, she wrote articles on public awareness, published in Zanzibar's newspapers. During the 1964 revolution in Zanzibar, Sharifa played a major role in assisting many Omani families and their children in moving off the island for safety.
In the 1970s, Sharifa joined her husband, Shaikh Nasser bin Saif al Bualy, in Oman, which marked the beginning of a new chapter. Shaikh Nasser was the first Omani ambassador appointed to the United Kingdom.
When asked what she would like to say to the world, Sharifa replied, 'I love you.'
Dr Asyah al Bualy, former assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, explained, quoting her mother, 'Studying is not just about attending universities and reading books; it is the entire horizon.'