Born in Cairo in 1911, Mahfouz earned his philosophy degree from Cairo University in 1934 . For nearly four decades, he ... View More

Born in Cairo in 1911, Mahfouz earned his philosophy degree from Cairo University in 1934 . For nearly four decades, he worked as a civil servant while writing short stories and novels that captured the soul of Egyptian society. His landmark “Cairo Trilogy” (1956–57) vividly portrays three generations of a Cairo family through periods of colonialism, revolution, and modern transformation . In 1988, he became the first—and remains the only—Arabic-language Nobel laureate in Literature. Despite his acclaim, his work sometimes sparked controversy, leading to a 1994 stabbing attempt. Mahfouz’s legacy endures through his evocative depictions of life, faith, and change in Egypt. View Less

Graduating from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law, Boutros‑Ghali went on to serve as Egypt’s Foreign Minister befo... View More

Graduating from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law, Boutros‑Ghali went on to serve as Egypt’s Foreign Minister before becoming the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1992 to 1996. His tenure was marked by post–Cold War challenges: peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans, Rwanda, and Somalia. Though sometimes criticized for conservative decisions, he championed “preventive diplomacy” and a stronger UN presence in complex conflicts. Fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, he bridged regional and global perspectives. Back home, he remained a powerful voice on Egypt’s foreign policy. His calm diplomacy and layered legacy reflect the university’s influence on global leadership. View Less

ElBaradei earned his law degree from Cairo University in 1962 before embarking on a distinguished international career. ... View More

ElBaradei earned his law degree from Cairo University in 1962 before embarking on a distinguished international career. As Director General of the IAEA (1997–2009), he boldly challenged political powers over nuclear nonproliferation, earning the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize alongside the IAEA . Upon returning to Egypt in 2010, his leadership during the 2011 protests catalyzed talk of moral authority and reform. His efforts underlined Cairo University’s legacy of nurturing independent thinkers who impact global policy. With a reputation for integrity, ElBaradei continues to influence debates around democracy and international law View Less

Born in Cairo on August 24, 1929 (though some sources debate Jerusalem), Arafat studied civil engineering at Cairo U... View More

Born in Cairo on August 24, 1929 (though some sources debate Jerusalem), Arafat studied civil engineering at Cairo University, graduating in 1956. During his time on campus, he served as president of the General Union of Palestinian Students, channeling his leadership into political organization and advocacy. After graduation, he co-founded Fatah in 1959 and became chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1969. He later led the Palestinian Authority (1996–2004), becoming a pivotal and polarizing figure in Middle Eastern politics. Awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize alongside Rabin and Peres, Arafat’s legacy remains one of steadfast advocacy for Palestinian self-determination View Less

Born Michel Demitri Chalhoub in Alexandria in 1932, Sharif earned a mathematics and physics degree from Cairo University... View More

Born Michel Demitri Chalhoub in Alexandria in 1932, Sharif earned a mathematics and physics degree from Cairo University before pursuing acting—a bold career shift that led to global fame . He burst onto the international scene as Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), riding a camel into cinematic history and earning an Academy Award nomination. His nuanced performances in Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl earned him three Golden Globes. Beyond the screen, he was a passionate bridge player and polyglot. Despite personal loneliness later in life, Sharif’s charisma and talent made him a true icon of world cinema View Less

Born November 16, 1935, in Egypt, Magdi Yacoub graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine in 1957 and later... View More

Born November 16, 1935, in Egypt, Magdi Yacoub graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine in 1957 and later became one of the world’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons. After moving to the UK, he pioneered heart valve repair techniques, performed Europe’s first combined heart-lung transplant (1983), and established the massive transplant program at England’s Harefield Hospital. Knighted in 1991, he also earned the Order of Merit in 2014. His humanitarian spirit led him to found the Chain of Hope charity and the Aswan Heart Centre, delivering vital cardiac care to thousands in Egypt. View Less

Often dubbed the "father of SSL," Taher Elgamal earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Cairo Univer... View More

Often dubbed the "father of SSL," Taher Elgamal earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Cairo University before completing a PhD at Stanford University. His groundbreaking work in cryptography led to the development of the ElGamal encryption algorithm and helped shape the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, a cornerstone of modern internet security. He served as Chief Scientist at Netscape and later held top roles at Salesforce and other tech giants. Elgamal's contributions have been instrumental in enabling secure online communication, digital signatures, and e-commerce. His legacy bridges Egyptian academic excellence and Silicon Valley innovation, influencing every online transaction today View Less

A graduate of Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering, Wael Ghonim became internationally known during Egypt’s 201... View More

A graduate of Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering, Wael Ghonim became internationally known during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. As a Google executive, he anonymously managed the “We Are All Khaled Said” Facebook page, which mobilized mass protests against police brutality and government corruption. His digital activism helped spark the Tahrir Square uprising that led to President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. Ghonim was briefly detained and later released, emerging as a symbol of peaceful resistance and the power of social media. He later authored Revolution 2.0, chronicling how youth and technology drove political change. His activism highlighted the role of educated youth in shaping modern Egypt. View Less

Mohamed M. Atalla, a graduate of Cairo University in engineering, later became one of the most influential figures in se... View More

Mohamed M. Atalla, a graduate of Cairo University in engineering, later became one of the most influential figures in semiconductor history. After moving to the U.S., Atalla invented the MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) in the late 1950s while working at Bell Labs. This invention became the building block of modern electronic devices, from computers to smartphones. He also pioneered silicon-based security through encryption and secure authentication systems, founding Atalla Corporation. His dual legacy in electronics and cybersecurity transformed both industries. Though not as widely known as some tech figures, Atalla’s innovations quietly underpin the digital age, showcasing Cairo University’s global scientific impact. View Less

An early political figure and statesman, Abdel Khalek Sarwat Pasha graduated from what would later become Cairo Universi... View More

An early political figure and statesman, Abdel Khalek Sarwat Pasha graduated from what would later become Cairo University during its formative years. He went on to serve as Egypt’s Prime Minister twice—in 1922 and 1927—during a politically turbulent time when Egypt was asserting independence from British rule. As Minister of Foreign Affairs and Education before his premiership, he championed modernization and national sovereignty. Sarwat Pasha was instrumental in shaping Egypt’s early legal and educational frameworks. His intellectual roots and leadership reflect Cairo University’s role in nurturing the country’s first generation of post-colonial political thinkers and reformers View Less