An Evening with Tarek Abouelgamal and Hala Taweel Join us in celebrating Arab-American Heritage Month with two distinguished speakers: Dr. Hala Taweel, Deputy Permanent Delegate at the State of Palestine’s UNESCO Delegation, will discuss women’s plight in education and her ongoing project: The University of the Middle East. Dr. Tarek Abouelgamal from the Institut du Monde Arabe will deliver a presentation about the history of the Arabic language in France and the how/where/why France teaches Arabic. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Refreshments will be served. Members are encouraged to bring a guest. Please contact Chloé, AAWE DEIB Chair, if you have any questions.
This event is organized by AAWE’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee. By engaging in collective conversations about our various backgrounds, we create an inclusive space that fosters cultural awareness where participants from all cultural groups can come together through language learning, breaking barriers and fostering a sense of belonging, self-expression, and mutual support.
Dr. Hala Taweel is a strategic leader in higher education, philanthropy, and international development across the MENA and GCC regions. She serves as Deputy Permanent Delegate at Palestine’s UNESCO Delegation and is President of the University of the Middle East Project, fostering cross-cultural education. With degrees from Harvard, Boston College, and Paris VIII, she has lectured at top institutions and led global peace-building initiatives. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, she specializes in diplomacy, fundraising, and cross-sector collaboration to advance leadership, civic engagement, and intercultural understanding. Egyptian by birth, Dr. Tarek Abouelgamal is a dedicated educator and currently a Pedagogical Coordinator at the Arab World Institute in Paris. With over 15 years of professional experience, he specializes in Arabic language and civilization. Tarek also teaches at Sciences Po, where he shares his expertise in language didactics. Previously, he taught Arabic at Sorbonne Université, contributing significantly to the field of language education. His work focuses on enhancing the understanding and appreciation of Arabic culture and language among students. While getting his PhD at the Sorbonne University, he did his dissertation on the history of the Arabic language in France.
