The Chronicle, Fall 1953

              •	The Arthur D. Little firm has prepared a report at Egypt's request analyzing that country’s economic potentialities. The report stressed the development of
I manganese, gypsum and phosphate and the building-up I of cement, glass, spinning and cotton industries.
'	• The Turkish government will soon consider plans
I	for a subway to be constructed in Istanbul. The pro-
j	jected subway would link the city districts now separated
by the Golden Horn.
•	An American family, which had spent some time
I	in Afghanistan, reports that the Afghani language has
I	adopted its own phrase for an auto mechanic. A me-
chanic there is called "bust-a-car.”
•	It is reported that a film entitled “Mossadegh and the Shah” will soon be put into production by an independent Hollywood producer.
■	• The government of Yemen, the little-known
country at the tip of the Arabian peninsula, has signed a unique contract with German oil exploration interests. Yemen will advance 75% of the needed capital and I will then take 75% of the partnership’s profits.
j • The German industrial firm, Krupp, has submitted '	a bid on the projected bridge over the Bosphorus to
I	link Asia and Europe. The plans call for a single span
suspension bridge, 215 feet high and 4,920 feet long.
! It would take four years to complete and cost 543 I million.
'	• Mr. F. W. Moore, former vice president of ARAM-
1	CO, has designed a network of highways linking several
;	important capitals of the Arab world. The project
I is estimated to cost 5100 million.
•	The Saudi Arabian firm of G. G. Abdne Co., is
I	searching for American interests to establish chain
grocery stores in Saudi Arabia. The Abdne firm would supply land, buildings and local staff. The American firm would be responsible for merchandise and an expert manager.
•	An American film company is now on location in Egypt. The movie under production there is “Valley of the Kings" starring Eleanor Parker and Robert Taylor.
The Executive Offices of
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AT CAIRO are located in the LAND TITLE BUILDING at Broad and Chestnut Streets PHILADELPHIA 10, PA.
ENROLLMENT SETS ALL-TIME RECORD
FALL 1953
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THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AT CAIRO ECY1»T
Acting President Impressed By University's Growth
October 12, 1953
Dear Friends:
Returning to A.U.C. after an absence of six and a half years, Mrs. Cleland and I are greatly impressed by evidences of the growth of the institution. Having been present at its birth in 1920, I now find it a mature university, though a small one, thirty-three years old. Here are some of the points I have noted.
Enrollment. The students registered in all departments so far indicate that the registration this year will be the biggest ever. In the Faculty of Arts and Sciences there are 360 to date, in the Faculty of Education 130, in the Division of Extension’s adult classes 78, and in the School of Oriental Studies 85. When registration closes in the course of the next few days, there will be many more in each of these sections as there is a large number of additional students now pressing to be admitted. One thing that strikes the eye with dramatic force is the very big increase in the number of girls among the students. Twenty-five years ago we admitted our first woman student almost with fear and trembling, but coeducation has grown so rapidly in the universities of Egypt that the problem of mixed sexes long ago disappeared. Fully one-third of the Arts and Sciences registration are girls. The campus is alive with students and it has been difficult to restrict numbers.
New Social Research Center. Thanks to the Ford Foundation, the University is able for the first time officially to launch a research department. Dr. Frank Dorey of Howard University, in association with the Division of Extension, is organizing it and managing the first activities. The program is financed for three years, at the end of which time it is hoped that some very useful researches on social conditions will have been produced.
Alumni. One always looks at the old students to appraise the effects of past efforts. Since my arrival I have had numerous calls from former students working in Egypt — doctors, businessmen, teachers, government officials, home makers. One very interesting surprise was when a Coptic monk in long black flowing robes and long whiskers introduced himself as a former student and graduate. In excellent English he told me about his present life in the ancient monastery of Wadi Natrun on the desert half way to Alexandria. This year he is teaching in the Coptic Theological college where priests are trained. He is teaching social sciences and tells me he is putting great stress upon the whole idea of social service. We had never foreseen training monks for theological colleges when he came as a student.
University Prestige. The day I landed in Alexandria I met an old Egyptian friend quite by chance. He heartily congratulated me on coming back at a time
when American prestige was very high, as well as that of the American University at Cairo. On all sides I hear expressions of appreciation of the splendid services rendered by this institution, and contacts with us are being sought increasingly by government officials who are interested in improving social and economic conditions.
University Staff. There are six new staff members this year replacing some who returned to America and we have the help of four Fiilbright visiting professors. As a university is primarily dependent upon the quality of its faculty for its success, we are always greatly encouraged when new members show ability and are popular with students.
It is also a great privilege to have back with us this year our former colleagues. Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Jeffery, now of Columbia University. Dr. Jeffery is assisting in the program of the School of Oriental Studies.
It was also a pleasure to welcome Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Van Vleck, Jr. of Montclair, New Jersey. Dr. Van Vleck is a Trustee and an experienced sociologist and educator and we have had the rare privilege of having him and his wife in our home for some days. He gave us a great deal of time and talked intimately with members of the staff and also attended Council and Committee meetings.
Problems which go with a living and growing institution: First, we might mention the inadequacy of our present equipment for the demands being made upon it. The main building for the classes of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences is very old and its facilities are very inadequate. A new building is very much needed. On the other side, we are happy to have the new dormitory. Hill House, which is already full to capacity with 51 students from different departments and teachers, and still other students asking to be admitted.
Financial support is another big problem. As tuition fees usually cover only about one-third of the cost of a student’s education, the University must depend upon the benevolence of high-minded friends. The demand for education in the Near East is a phenomenon never before witnessed to the present extent. We are fortunate in being able to participate in this movement and to help direct the lives of future leaders throughout the Near East, so that they in turn can pass along the benefits to their communities.
There is one additional problem which awaits solution before the end of this year and that is the selection of a successor to Dr. Badeau as President of the University. It is to be hoped that the Trustees will have success and divine guidance in choosing him. As I look at things now, he is going to face a challenge that may be almost overwhelming, but could result in a fine victory for the Kingdom of God in this part of the world. And how much it is neededi
Many thanks for your continued interest, prayers and contributions.
'	Acting President
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