Sherif Abdel Azeem is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering at The American University in Cairo (AUC) . He joined AUC in September 2004, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as an Associate Professor at Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Queen’s University (1995) Research Focus: His work centers on pattern recognition , specifically optical character recognition (OCR) and Arabic handwriting recognition , addressing challenges in machine learning and signal processing for linguistic applications. Academic Leadership: Currently directs the ECNG Graduate Program at AUC, contributing to curriculum development and student mentorship in electronics and communications engineering.
Alia El Bolock is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at The American University in Cairo (AUC), where she joined in 2023. Her work bridges computer science and psychology through the innovative field of character computing, aiming to enhance human behavior understanding and mental well-being via technology. She holds a PhD from Ulm University, Germany (2022), and both an MSc and BSc from the German University in Cairo, Egypt (2014 and 2013 respectively). PhD: Ulm University, Germany, 2022 MSc: German University in Cairo, Egypt, 2014 BSc: German University in Cairo, Egypt, 2013 Her research interests include character computing, privacy preservation, applied machine learning, ethical AI, modern cryptography, and human-computer interaction. She integrates interdisciplinary knowledge to develop responsible and secure AI systems that support psychological well-being. Her work has led to over 60 refereed publications and significant academic outreach through workshops, hackathons, and summer schools. The available publications suggest a strong trend in interdisciplinary AI applications, particularly focusing on behavioral modeling, mental health support, data privacy, and emerging technologies like quantum cryptography. Her research consistently emphasizes ethical implications and robust security frameworks in computing systems. Alia El Bolock has been instrumental in establishing research groups in character computing, applied machine learning, and human-computer interaction. She has organized numerous academic events including workshops and seminars on AI, privacy, quantum computing, and women in computing, demonstrating leadership and community engagement. She has taught courses in cryptography, information security, discrete mathematics, computing fundamentals, and research methodology. Prior to AUC, she was a lecturer at the German International University (2021–2023) and an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Media Engineering and Technology, German University in Cairo (2013–2021).
