Information

Venue

The 2026 IEEE Magnetics Society Summer School will be held on the modern, 260-acre campus of The American University in Cairo (AUC) in New Cairo.

Described as a "city built for learning", the campus is a state-of-the-art facility with advanced research labs, multiple auditoriums, a comprehensive sports complex, and one of the region's largest libraries.

The campus is located in New Cairo, a large, modern satellite city with a calm environment, providing a focused and secure setting for the summer school. On-campus amenities include food courts, banking services, and ATMs.

Accommodation

• All registered students and speakers will be housed in the AUC University Residences on campus.

  • Accommodations are organized in gender-separated residential units. The residences feature an outdoor plaza area and a study room accessible 24/7.

  • For Students: You will be housed in a furnished double room. Each set of three double rooms shares two split-bathrooms and a corridor fridge.

  • For Lecturers & Speakers: You will be housed in a furnished single room. Each set of four single rooms shares two bathrooms, a kitchenette, a dining table, and a lounge.

• All residential units include:

  • High-speed Wi-Fi

  • Air conditioning

  • Bed linens, towels, and basic toiletries

  • Access to self-service laundry facilities

• AUC Student Residences Community Guidelines

Posters

• • Recommended size is 36 inch × 48 inch in landscape or portrait orientations.

  • Each presenting student will have access to a 2 meter × 2 meter board. 

  • We will provide the materials need to fix your poster to the board (clips, push pins, etc). 

Travel & Transportation 

• Primary Airport: Cairo International (CAI)

  • This is the main international airport and the recommended arrival destination.

  • Cairo International Airport (CAI) is conveniently located approximately 40 minutes from the AUC New Cairo campus.

  • We will coordinate frequent, complimentary airport pickups and drop-offs for all attendees arriving at CAI.

• Secondary Airport: Sphinx International (SPX)

  • Sphinx International Airport (SPX) is located on the opposite side of the city, approximately 120 minutes from the AUC New Cairo campus.

  • Due to the significant distance, we will offer only one or two scheduled pickups and drop-offs from SPX. 

• Please note: We will not be able to provide transportation from any other airports.

Additional Information 

• Visa Requirements: All international attendees must obtain a visa from one of the Egyptian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries that are eligible for visa on arrival. Please check with your local Egyptian consulate or embassy for the specific requirements for your country of residence and country of citizenship. 

  • We can provide official Letter of Invitation to support your visa application.

  • Please request your letter as early as possible. Visa processing times can vary significantly by country and consulate.

  • This letter confirms your selection and participation in the summer school. It will also state the financial support we will provide. It does not guarantee visa issuance, nor can we contact embassies or consulates to intervene in individual cases.

  • To request a letter, please complete this form. Please allow 5 business days for your request to be processed.

  • Please note: It is solely the responsibility of the student to determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements, and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements. It is also the responsibility of the student to verify the correct documentation required to apply for the necessary visa(s), to apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time, and to pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

• Currency & Spending Money

  • The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Currency exchange offices and ATMs are widely available at the airport and around the AUC campus.

  • Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at most large, modern establishments like hotels, upscale restaurants, and major shops or malls.

  • Cash (Essential): Cash is king for most other transactions. You will need cash for smaller shops, taxis (even Uber/Careem prefer cash), local markets, and especially for 'baksheesh', the local custom of tipping for small services.

  • How Much Cash? Since all meals are covered by the summer school, your cash needs are for personal expenses (souvenirs, extra snacks, tips). A budget of $100 - $150 USD (exchanged into EGP) should be more than sufficient for most attendees for the entire program.

  • Tipping: 

    • The best currency for tipping is the Egyptian Pound. Try to get a mix of small denominations (EGP 10, 20, 50) when you exchange money. $1 USD is approximately equal to 50 EGP. 

    • Airport Porters (Persistent Luggage Helpers): This is very common. A tip of EGP 20 per person is appropriate for their help.

    • Drivers (Your Pre-arranged Airport Shuttles): For your complimentary airport shuttle, tipping the driver EGP 50-100 ($1-2 USD) for the trip is a generous gesture.

    • Taxis / Ride-Sharing (Personal Trips): For a Uber Comfort ride, rounding up the fare is common.

    • Restaurants (If you eat out personally): Many restaurants include a service charge. Even so, it's customary to leave an additional 5-10% in cash for the waiter, as the service charge often doesn't go to them.

    • Public Restroom Attendants: You will often find an attendant who provides toilet paper. EGP 10 is expected.

• Weather: Expect hot, dry, and sunny conditions with daytime highs around 38°C (100°F). Rain is extremely unlikely. 

• Recommended Attire & Comfort: 

  • The most comfortable clothing will be lightweight, loose-fitting, and made from breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or rayon.

  • We recommend clothing that covers the shoulders and knees (such as t-shirts, loose trousers, or longer skirts) when outside the dorms and exploring public areas.

  • The dry heat can be dehydrating, even if you don't feel like you are sweating. Please make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water throughout the day. 

• Traveler's Recommendations:

• If your phone is compatible, get an eSIM.

• For your personal transportation, use Uber Comfort only. We strongly discourage using UberX. Add a credit card to your Uber account. Some drivers will ask you to pay cash, even if you have a credit card on the app. Politely refuse and insist on paying through the app. A driver might message you after accepting the ride demanding more money. Reject this and cancel the ride.

• Electrolyte packets for your water will be a lifesaver.

• Pack your medicine; not all the international brands you might be used to are available in Egypt. Recommend packing aspirin, allergy meds, hair and skin products, and toiletries.

• Egyptian cuisine relies heavily on legumes, vegetables, and grains from the Nile Valley. Meat (mostly chicken, beef, and lamb) is common, but many national dishes are vegetarian by default. We will be collecting all dietary restrictions from attendees in advance. We will ensure the meals we provide accommodate all your needs.