BUE

Ahmed El Attal

Chairman of El Attal Holding, BUE Graduate 2010.

On occasions where we appear to be overpowered with negative news, once in a while it’s very ideal to catch up with some positive news, particularly when it’s coming from one of our top pick and best Alumnus.

Ahmed El Attal, an experienced engineer with an exhibited history of working in the development business, Chairman of El Attal Holding, BUE graduate & Masters in Global Management. Ahmed was one of the graduates of the first cohort of the Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, specializing in Project Management.

El Attal took the first step in building his career at the age of 16, where he started working at a very young age joining his family’s business in the real estate & construction field.
After his graduation, he took the initiative to build his own vision after studying in the BUE. He turned his business from a local company running 30 employees to an international corporation, running over 2000 employees and became one of the most successful real estate & construction companies locally & internationally

Discussing his journey of success which is booming right now, we first wanted to divulge his vision about education and how it impacted his life. He expressed that no one can reach his goal as he described that a  “unique part of experience unless they received well education” which was by all means offered by the BUE.

“It was a quite challenging journey”, he stated, since the beginning of his studying, Ahmed mentioned that he was really interested in the practical modules that allowed him to face the reality and the market challenges.  He believed that “education is one of the essential tools that frames and develops the personality, even in case you didn’t use what you have learned, in some unspecified time, in the future, it’s going to impact your life, and your way of thinking without knowing,  as it is stored your subconscious mind.”

Attal described the education system that is offered by the BUE, as a good mix of education and building the character which genuinely impacts how you express yourself with professionalism, thus providing its students with education and experience at the same time. Proving his point, he stated that “many people out there could have the experience but without getting the proper education support it on the long run.”

Mentioning the late Mr. Mohamed Farid Khamis, while recalling his memories in the University, El Attal described him as a “character that he always sought after.”
“I always admired this mentor, he was one of the most powerful pioneers and transformational leaders in the industry, leading his local company to an international chain called the Oriental Weavers, I remember how he generously shared his advice with the youth, how he believed that we are the future of Egypt, proving to the whole world that Egyptians can do it.”

Moving on by following his passion and Mr. Farid’s advice Ahmed started to dig his own path, internationally.  “It all started by pursing different path in real estate by building embassies and dorms which turned as a focal point in running the company and a turnkey operation, till I was rewarded up by being received by his Great Highness king of Malaysia.” El Attal mentioned.

When we asked Ahmed about the advice that he wants to share with our alumni & undergraduate students, he said that “education is a part of the human’s nature that can’t be separated, it’s a complete package and this package includes passion, good education, continuous working and developing yourself.  For sure, you will see the end result which be very rewarding.”

The Second advice Ahmed shared is that “work is an interaction; it is a lifestyle so you have to learn how to manage your time, I work for 16 hours per day and I wish I could have the time to work more.”

The Third Advice is that “effort is more important than talent, it’s about how you work on one’s self, how to innovate from yourself, how to put a targeted plan, and exert the effort as it is not just enough to be smart. If you have the passion, you can do it, so never underestimate yourself.”