Education is the whole horizon – advises Oman’s first AUC graduate
Lakshmi Kothaneth
Someone who has always had the world affairs in mind, even as a young university student, 94-year-old Sharifa bint Mohammed Naser al Lamki was honored by her university, American University in Cairo, during the alumni meet in Muscat on Monday night held at Intercity Hotel.
The AUC Alumni Chapter event was chaired by HH Sayyida Hujaija Al Said, and the alumni talk featured Dr Noha El Mikawy, Dean, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She spoke about opportunities in the midst of global uncertainty.
“We go all around the world to connect with our alumni to keep them in touch with AUC and update 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 time to share fond memories of university days,” said Raymonda Reif, Executive Director, Alumni Engagement Office at AUC.
She said the significant part of this year’s event was the honoring of Shariffa Al Lamaki, who was the first Omani graduate of American University in Cairo. Shariffa received her degree in 1956.
“The fact that she is here shows the importance AUC has had in her life and career, and so this was a unique moment to watch,” noted Raymonda.
Sharifa bint Mohammed Naser al Lamki was born in 1931in Zanzibar. Her specialization was in economics and political science (1951-1955), making her the first Omani graduate of the American University 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 Observer asked her what she would like to say to students of today, she replied, “Work hard.”
Work hard, she did, because by 1953, while still being a university student, Sharifa had established a Swahili Department at the Egyptian National Broadcasting, and this meant work while she continued to be a full-time student.
Ask her about university days, and she says, “Memories.”
She was working with leading and prominent newsreaders and broadcasters, and she was interacting with contemporary prominent figures such as the Egyptian movie star Lobna Abdl Aziz, 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 Palestinian personality Mazen al Hossaini. Her objective was a clear thought – an independent Africa. In the 50s it was a tough topic, and she faced challenges. But the meetings in the campus cafes with the intellectuals for discussions shaped her thoughts and personality.
Going back to Zanzibar, she began her career path, but she wanted a diploma in modern mathematics, and she obtained it 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, and they were published in Zanzibar’s newspapers. During the 1964 revolution in Zanzibar, Sharifa played a major role in assisting many Omani families and their children to move out of the island for safety.
The 1970s had Sharifa join her husband, Sheikh Nasser bin Saif al Bualy in Oman, which saw the beginning of a new chapter. Sheikh Nasser was the first Omani ambassador appointed to the United Kingdom.
This is the message she wants to convey to the youth of today – her daughter, Dr Asyah bint Nasser Al Bualy, former Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, explained, quoting her mother, “Studying is not just about attending universities and reading books, but it is the whole horizon.”
And what would she like to say to the world?
Sharifa replied, “I love you.”