Theme: Cascade

The wait is finally over and the time has come for our fourth annual event TEDxGUC'16: CASCADE.

The literal concept of 'Cascade' of a waterfall symbolizes continuance; the state of remaining in existence or operation. In its clearest definition, 'Cascade' is the looped process of continuity and continuation. Just like the waterfall, it starts off with the unchanging flow of water, descends into infinite potentials and then balances back to its stable state of flow.
Each of the 3 states symbolizes everyday occurrences where the world is put in a state of energy transfers along an infinite stream that will witness disturbances, abruptions, explosions and then go back to its never-ending state.

The TED experience may also embody a parallel definition of 'Cascade', represented as a process whereby information or knowledge is successively passed on or as a succession of devices or stages in a process, each of which triggers or initiates the next. Exactly as our platform is specially designed for ideas worth spreading, back stage serves as a place for the ideas to be generated and initiate the stream, and on stage is where the ideas spread and the 'Cascade' reaction is transferred from an individual to another till it is successfully passed on.

'Cascade’s' many interpretations reach out to the ethereality of philosophy that is suggestive of a universe confined to no absolutes rather an infinite plane that goes on forever, hinting at Deleuze's Plane of Immanence theory where he conceives a pure plane, an infinite field or smooth space without substantial or constitutive division.

This year, we’re aiming to provide a 360 experience. Everything the attendee experiences on the day of the event is a part of a consummate circle of value, from the talks to the venue design to the networking. This fuses with the concept of 'Cascade' harmoniously to create our vision for this year’s event. We believe that the attendee will experience the continuance of 'Cascade' during the event; with the first spark of an idea he ponders upon, till its passing on to his fellow attendees, creating an holistic mind opening experience.

Amidst these Cascades, we can't wait to meet you. Come witness an amalgamative flow of ideas from exceptional speakers that will take us on mind-boggling & thought-provoking expeditions. Enjoy performances from a wide array of artists. Get involved in networking experiences and discussions with other attendees that are as extraordinary as the speakers.

AUC Bassily Hall
74 التسعين الجنوبي،
Cairo, Al Qāhirah, 11835
Egypt

Ahmad Saqfalhait

A Jordanian Graphic Designer and Current Professor of Graphic design in the American University in Cairo. Ahmad graduated from the Applied Science Private University of Amman in 1999 after studying Graphic Design. He then followed his dream of moving to Japan to study the art of Japanese Tea and to earn his masters in Graphic Design from the Tama Art University of Tokyo in 2010. In his own words, Ahmad is an Academic aiming to breed new Arab Designers, who will shape the future of Graphic Design in the Arab World, by applying new approaches and methodologies that will move forward with the Arabic design scene.

Lobna Mourad

Lobna Mourad is a Bachelor Degree holder from The American University in Cairo in 2007, graduated with Cum Laude, majoring in Biology with a concentration in molecular genetics and minoring in Clinical Chemistry. By late 2010 she completed her Masters Degree in Molecular Microbiology where I worked on antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients in Oman. Shortly after that she started her PhD with a specialty in liver cancer where the aim was to develop a diagnostic test to early detect liver cancer caused by hepatitis C virus infection. Her dream is to contribute to scientific research in the Arab world and in Egypt in particular, since Egypt has the highest rates of Hepatitis C infection in the world leading to very high incidence of liver cancer.

Mahmoud Mansi

Mahmoud is an author, an entrepreneur, an HR thinker and he is the founder of HR Revolution Magazine which sheds light on the voices of HR personnel through multiple interviews and published articles, which in turn reflects the nature of the work domain in the Middle East and thus creates a revolution in the field of business journalism.

Mohamed Mounir

Mohamed Mounir is an Egyptian engineer and scientist, he runs a patent company stationed in Haram. Mounir found a quick method to dramatically decrease damage from water related disasters by creating easy to build structures that immediately freeze the water until the situation is controlled.

Mona Marie

A Graphic Design Instructor at the German University in Cairo.

Radwa Rostom

Radwa Rostom is a civil engineer with seven years working experience. After she graduated, Rostom worked in several positions, as a structural engineer, project engineer in an environmental consulting firm and a CSR specialist in a solar energy company. Rostom explored several fields as energy efficiency, energy management systems, and green buildings. Lastly, she worked as a Business Developer at WeForest, an international organization that seeks to tackle climate change issues through reforestation and land restoration projects. Rostom gained a lot of experience throughout these years, but she has always wanted to create a model where she can tackle three main fields: social development, environmental stewardship and construction. Radwa is the founder of “Hand Over”, a social enterprise that utilizes sustainable construction for the sake of community development. The main focus is on providing resilient, affordable and durable housing solutions for unprivileged communities, in addition to implementing projects that are beneficial and can create prosperity and development for the local community. Rostom was selected as a young leader in Westerwelle foundation conference held in December 2014. Rostom was recognized by Arabian Business Magazine as number 30 of the 100 most powerful Arabs under 40 in 2015 & 2016.

Sara Aziz

Sara Aziz is the founder and president of Safe foundation that aims to raise awareness about sexual abuse for Children. Sara studied in MESARPAC University in Denmark and specialized in Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy of the sexually abused. She has been working in sexual abuse counseling since 2009 counseling kids, teenagers and women who have survived sexual abuse in both, individual and group therapy settings.

Yasmin Youssef

Yasmin is a certified education & ICT expert in interactive boards and education technology and has been in the field of Teacher Training”since 2007. She is currently the Head of the Education Consultant Department at Gimpex. Yasmin obtained her Master Degree in International Education Management from both PH-Ludwigsburg/Germany and Helwan University/Cairo. She also got her pedagogical teaching Diploma, das GrüneDiplom from Berlin in 2008 after working as a German language instructor at the Goethe Institute in Cairo. Her professional experience in education was gained through several years of teaching German as a foreign language and holding the position of the Head of the German Department for 15 years in a private school. She also helped in founding a private German school here in Egypt. During that time she was able to enrich her knowledge by taking part in several training courses related to education technology around Europe and online. Yasmin has cooperated with Ministry of Education, the faculty of education Ain Shams and the TDC also with many international, private and public schools & Universities. She supports teachers and faculty members in teaching with digital media, helping them to use these tools interactively in order to provide their students with strategies that help them gain 21st century skills and thus preparing them for a sustainable future. As passionate blogger, Yasmin has published 24 blogs about education technology and wrote many research papers in this field, especially in Blended Learning and the integration of ICT in educational Institutions.

Yousra Mounir

Yousra is an explorer and adventurer. She established the project Amaken. The project aims to help people build their identity and their own sense of inner connection by discovering the different places, people, and cultures. Her trips provide experiential opportunities for self-exploration, deep connection with oneself, with others and with nature. Her aim is that Amaken shows a model for Responsible Tourism, that offers the unique combination between FUN and Having a responsible attitude towards the environment, the local people (benefiting the community we visit) Ultimately, she wants to make TRAVELING accessible to everyone! To support all people to travel even if they don't have enough resources to travel.