Alamein International University · Egypt
Building a Language Lifeline Ecosystem for Every Student — transforming a systemic gap into a university-wide movement, and a language barrier into a bridge.
Dr. Eslam Yacoub holds a Master's and PhD in Teaching English for Specific Purposes. Since joining Alamein International University (AIU) in 2024, he has designed and implemented the university's entire English language support infrastructure from the ground up.
When he joined AIU, he stepped into a bold experiment in Egyptian higher education. Founded in 2020 as a pioneering English-Medium Instruction institution, AIU faced a daunting linguistic reality: 85% of the 2025 incoming cohort had completed their secondary education entirely in Arabic. These students were enrolled in nine rigorous degree programs — Dentistry, Engineering, Computer Science and more — all taught in English.
He recognized that without robust support infrastructure, language would become a barrier to equity and success. He committed himself to building that bridge.
His nomination is fully supported by Alamein International University. The cumulative impact of his work led directly to the founding of the AIU English Learning Center in December 2025, which he now directs.
Evidence that the gap was real and precisely measured
Dr. Yacoub designed the AIU Standardized Test of English Proficiency (AIU-STEP) from scratch — a comprehensive, CEFR-aligned instrument spanning four skills: Reading Comprehension (40%), Listening (20%), Grammar (30%), and Writing Analysis (10%), covering 120 items.
Purpose-built courses for AIU's unique student population
Based on AIU-STEP results, Dr. Yacoub designed and delivered two foundational pillars: LAN022 (English 1) for the 45% of students below B2, and LAN111 (English 2) for the 55% at or above B2. All 2,727 incoming students received targeted language support from day one.
| Code | Course | Semester | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAN022 | English 1 | Fall 2025 | 1,218 |
| LAN111 | English 2 | Fall 2025 | 1,509 |
| LAN171 | English for Computer Sciences | Spring 2025 | 302 |
| LAN171 | English for Engineering | Spring 2025 | 214 |
| LAN211 | Academic Writing | Spring 2025 | 266 |
952 participants across students, faculty, and industry
To ensure the ESP curriculum was grounded in real student experience, Dr. Yacoub conducted a comprehensive needs analysis reaching 865 students across all nine programs, plus 64 faculty focus groups and 23 industry representatives — a total of 952 participants.
This layered approach captured both cross-disciplinary needs and the unique vocabulary and communication demands of each field, directly shaping every course book, glossary, and assessment task.
Nine courses for nine programs, grounded in professional reality
Dr. Yacoub designed course books for each program. The Engineering course book spans eight thematic units — Architecture, Project Management, Electronics, Mechatronics, Oil & Gas, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, and Emerging Trends — concluding with a comprehensive A-to-Z glossary.
The Computer Science course book mirrors a modern CS education, covering Java, Python, cloud computing, machine learning, cybersecurity, and even the ethical dimensions of technology.
| Program | Students | Pass Rate Before ESP | Pass Rate After ESP | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 214 | 62% | 96% | +34 pts |
| Computer Science | 302 | 68% | 94% | +26 pts |
| Combined | 516 | 65% | 95% | +30 pts |
Five publications that carry AIU's story to the global ESP community
Every intervention — the AIU-STEP, the needs analysis, the ESP curricula, the Academic Writing course — has generated original scholarly evidence published in peer-reviewed international journals. AIU's institutional innovations become replicable, globally accessible models.
Engagement that extends far beyond formal teaching hours
Dr. Yacoub established a weekly Conversation Club and appointed 24 high-proficiency peer mentors across all programs. He dedicated over 320 office hours in 2025 to personalized writing and language consultations.
He also proposed and submitted the Alamein International Journal of Research (AIJR) — a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to outstanding undergraduate research. Students who arrived unable to write a paragraph in English are now preparing manuscripts for its inaugural issue.
The culmination: an institution transformed
In December 2025, Dr. Yacoub's work culminated in the founding of the AIU English Learning Center, with himself as Founding Director. In its inaugural semester alone, the Center reached 310 students through two flagship services.
Up from 62% before ESP intervention — a 34 percentage-point transformation in core technical module performance.
Up from 68% — 302 students gained the language foundation to succeed in AI, coding, and software engineering.
Every single incoming student assessed and placed into the right language support course from day one.
Students, faculty, and industry professionals whose input shaped curricula grounded in professional reality.
Founded December 2025. A thriving academic hub serving all nine programs — the institutional legacy of one year's work.
Personalized writing and language consultations — evidence of a commitment that extends far beyond the classroom.
The institutional hub connecting every initiative — founded December 2025
CEFR-aligned placement test. Diagnoses every student precisely from day one.
LAN022 & LAN111 — two courses for two proficiency levels, serving all 2,727 students.
Nine discipline-specific English courses — from Engineering to Dentistry — grounded in needs analysis.
LAN211 feeds directly into the proposed Alamein International Journal of Research (AIJR).
Six English–Arabic glossaries distributed to all first-year students as an immediate support bridge.
24 high-proficiency mentors across all programs — a self-sustaining support network.
Weekly sessions where hesitation gives way to confidence — 242 attendances in the first semester.
Every innovation documented in Q1 peer-reviewed journals, making AIU's model globally replicable.
In a single year, he turned a systemic gap into a university-wide movement — and a language barrier into a bridge.
— THE Arab World Awards 2026 Submission · Alamein International University
Rewriting the Curriculum: Integrating AI Prompt Engineering into EFL Writing Instruction
International Arab Journal of English for Specific Purposes (IAJESP) · Vol 9(1) Q1
Assessment Practices in ESP Courses: Towards Authentic Evaluation in Higher Education
Journal of Advanced Research in English & Education · Vol 11(1) Q1
Developing and Scaling a CEFR-Aligned English Placement Test for University Level: A Psychometric Validation Study
Journal of Language Learning and Assessment · Vol 3(2) Q1
Corpus-Based Mapping of Lexical Disparities within Receptive and Productive Skills in ESP Contexts
International Journal of English for Specific Purposes (JOINESP) · Vol 3(2) Q1
Mapping Discipline-Specific English Language Needs in Egyptian Medical EMI University Programs
American Journal of Medicine and Health Studies · Vol 2(1) Q2
Aligning English Language Instruction with Engineering Needs: A Comprehensive Needs Analysis Framework for ESP Syllabus Design
Anatolian Journal of Education · Vol 10(2) Q1
Designing a CLIL-Based ESP Curriculum for Computer Science and Engineering Programs at Alamein International University
International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction · Vol 17(1) Q1
A Proposed Framework for Developing EFL Curriculum for Secondary Stage in the Light of the CLIL Approach
International Journal of Curriculum & Technological Education · Vol 27(15)
Lecturer of EFL & Founding Director, English Learning Center
Alamein International University, Egypt
2024 – Present
Designed and delivered ESP & academic English courses across eight programs. Architected the AIU-STEP placement test, founded the ELC, and led a university-wide curriculum reform integrating CLIL and needs-based design.
Director, University Center for Career Development
Alamein International University, Egypt
2023 – 2024
Led strategic career readiness initiatives, organized multi-sector job fairs, and secured MOUs with key organizations to expand career opportunities.
Head of Training Department
Scientific Academy for Translation & Training, Alexandria
2017 – 2023
Directed development of bespoke ESP and EFL programs for corporate clients. Pioneered CAT tools workshops and oversaw all content quality assurance.
English Instructor
Ministry of Defense Language Institute (MODLI)
2006 – 2012
Taught specialized English for Military Purposes in a high-stakes professional environment, developing custom EFL learning materials.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education — EFL Curriculum & Instruction
Cairo University – Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education
2024
Dissertation: Developing EFL Curriculum for Secondary Stage in the Light of the CLIL Approach and Its Effectiveness in Developing ESP Integrated Skills
GPA 4.0 · A+Master of Education (M.Ed.) — EFL Curriculum & Instruction
Cairo University – Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education
2020
Thesis: A Suggested Program Based on ESP to Enhance Scientific Literacy for Students Applying to Medical Faculties
GPA 3.66 · A+Special Diploma in Education (EFL Curriculum & Instruction)
Tanta University – Faculty of Education
2008 · Very Good
Vocational Diploma in Education (TEFL)
Tanta University – Faculty of Education
2007 · Very Good
Bachelor of Arts and Education, English Department (TEFL)
Sadat University – Faculty of Education
2006
Active reviewer for: International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction (Q1), Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (Q1), International Arab Journal of English for Specific Purposes (Q1), and three additional Q1 journals. Over 17 manuscripts reviewed (2024–present).