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Afretec Network

The American University in Cairo (AUC) is actively collaborating with the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec), a joint initiative led by CMU-Africa. Afretec aims to unite technology-focused universities to drive inclusive digital growth across the continent through collaborating on teaching and learning, knowledge creation, and entrepreneurship activities within the realm of engineering and technology.
  1. Academics
  2. Afretec Network

Member Universities

  • The American University in Cairo
  • Al Akhawayn University
  • Universidade Agostinho Neto 
  • CMU-Africa
  • Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
  • University of Lagos
  • University of Nairobi
  • University of Rwanda
  • University of the Witwatersrand
  •  Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)

Afretec Pillars

executives in classroom with a facilitator explaining for AFRETEC

Teaching and Learning

Foster excellence in teaching and learning methodologies to cultivate a workforce that drives inclusive digital transformation across Africa.
professor explaining in front of a group of executives in classroom for AFRETEC

Knowledge Creation

Establish a thriving, diverse and enduring pan-African ecosystem for creating ICT knowledge. This pillar comprises three clusters: health, energy and sustainability and environment.
students taking notes in classroom

Entrepreneurship

Develop entrepreneurship education and business opportunities to foster a startup technology culture and ecosystem across Africa.

students in classroom with professor

Inclusion and Impact

Deliberately incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into all processes and activities.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Call for Proposals: Afretec Seed Grants 2026–2027

Award: Up to $30,000 USD per project  |  Duration: 12 Months (Starting February 1, 2027)  |  Deadline: September 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm CAT

The School of Sciences and Engineering (SSE) invites AUC faculty members to submit collaborative research proposals under the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) Seed Grant Program. Supported by CMU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation, this competitive funding opportunity supports multi-institutional teams accelerating inclusive digital transformation across the continent.

We encourage interdisciplinary proposals integrating AI, ICT, and cybersecurity into critical impact areas, including health, energy, environment, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, infrastructure, and water/waste systems.

  • Eligibility: Research teams must include Principal Investigators (PIs) from at least two Afretec member institutions. At least one lead PI must represent one of Afretec’s newest partner universities (Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Agostinho Neto University, Al Akhawayn University, or Université Cheikh Anta Diop).
  • Target Focus: Special priority is given to early-career researchers and projects directly addressing the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, refugees, and displaced communities.

[ Read Full Call & Application Guidelines ]   [ Register for the Virtual Info Session (August 27, 2026) ]

Happening At Afretec

From Self-Assembled Microtubes to Suspended Microchannel Resonators: Advancing Piezoelectric MEMS for Biological Sensing

1 – 2 pm (GMT+3)

Registration link: Pre-registration is required.

Climate Change and the Future of Offshore Wind Energy

12 – 1:15 pm (GMT+3)

Registration link: Pre-registration is required.

CuttingEEG Cairo Garden 2026

Sept. 21, 10 am – Sept. 25, 2026 5 pm (GMT+3)

Upcoming Events

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Afretec Highlights

AUC at the African Engineering and Technology (Afretec) Network

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News@Afretec

The Afretec Healthcare Summer School Group Photo

The Afretec Healthcare Summer School

The Afretec Healthcare Summer School, hosted by The American University in Cairo AUC and sponsored by Afretec from June 9 to 12, 2024, was a...

News

AUC Afretec Faculty

Man with suit smiling

Karim Seddik

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and Professor, Electronics and Communications Engineering
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Khalil Elkhodary

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
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Yehea Ismail

Chair, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering; Acting Chair, Department of Physics
amr el mougy

Amr El Mougy

Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
Headshot of Roba Bairakdar, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Roba Bairakdar

Assistant Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science
Man with suit smiling

Mohamed A. Swillam

Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Engineering and the Department of Physics

Anwar Abd ElNaser

Associate Professor, Biological, Chemical and Global Health Sciences
Man with suit smiling

Essam Mohamed

Assistant Professor, Biological, Chemical and Global Health Sciences

AUC Afretec in Action

Afretec Event
professor explaining in front of a group of executives in classroom for AFRETEC
Afretec panelists in event on stage
Afretec event with student asking question
Aftretec one of the panelist explaining
Afretec Event
Afretec Event
Afretec Event
Afretec
Afretec

Contact Us

The Afretec Network at AUC

The American University in Cairo
School of Sciences and Engineering
AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74. New Cairo 11835

More About Afretec and it's university members