Egyptian-British Minouche Shafik appointed president of Columbia University

Yesterday, international and local newspapers were buzzing with the news that Egyptian-British Minouche Shafik, an economist, assumed the position of president of Columbia University in New York City, becoming the first woman to hold this position since the university’s in 1754.

Shafik was born in Egypt, specifically in Alexandria.

Born into an academic family, her father was Professor Talaat Shafik Hantour, PhD in chemistry.