Dr. Michael Carter Leads Ryerson Satellite Campus Launch in Cairo
Hello MDM'ers! For this inaugural kickoff newsletter (external link, opens in new window) , initiated by our amazing Social Media Coordinator Robin Kang (MDM7.0) and our Academic and Industry Coordinator Chris Ambedkar (MDM3.0), they have asked me to give you an insider's look into our new FCAD | Cairo Egypt Campus. The campus which is run by our partners the Universities of Canada, Egypt, is purpose-built in the New Administrative Capital just East of Cairo and West of the Sinai Resorts. Starting in September 2021, FCAD will launch 3 programs in Cairo; Media Production, Sports Media and Fashion. A year after, three more programs; Film, Interior Design and Graphic Communication Management will launch. FCAD will have a totally new building housing all 6 programs, including a mini-SLC and Creative Innovation Studios and Zones. State-of-the-art production suits, computer labs, Fashion and Interior Design labs have also been added, along with a 200 seat Film/Lecture hall, an outside stage and a rooftop garden.
As Lead Project Manager, I'm responsible for the operationalization of the campus setup and launch. As students in the DG8008 Bootstrapping course have experienced, I've been tasked with everything from the colour of the interior tiles, to the electrical loading, to the equipment needed for each course, classroom and function, the hiring of staff and their subsequent living arrangements and everything and anything else needed to get a school started. Luckily my project partner, Sadia Kamran, Manager, International Development (Master of Professional Communication 2017), has helped me lead this juggernaut of a project, while at the same time keeping it on track and fun. A real testament to the MDM mantra that teamwork is the path to success!
We will be looking for lecturers to join the faculty in Cairo for September, with an expanding set of staff and faculty over the next few years. When fully operational in 5 years, it is expected that 4000-5000 students will be attending the campus on a year-to-year basis.
This is probably the largest physical project I've ever managed and I've learned a lot in terms of industrial construction, interior design and building design. It is also a complex set of moving parts, with teams in Egypt and locally over Zoom. So, if I've learned anything, it is to be patient and that you can't manage everything on your own, so don't be hard on yourself!
Feel free to reach out if you would like to find out more about the project!
Dr. W. Michael Carter
Director of Industry Relations