The acclaimed Egyptian author and linguist Dr. Reem Bassiouney has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Cape Breton University in Canada. The honorary degree comes 23 years after she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, marking yet another milestone in a career that bridges intellectual rigor with deep cultural engagement.
The ceremony, held on Cape Breton University’s campus this September, honored Bassiouney for her “service to community, culture, and history.” In her acceptance remarks, delivered in both English and Arabic, she described the moment as a “great honor,” noting the symbolic weight of receiving recognition not for academic credentials alone, but for her broader contributions to society.
Dr. Bassiouney is internationally known for her work in sociolinguistics and Arabic literature. As a professor and writer, she has consistently navigated the intersection of language, identity, and cultural heritage. Her novels—often acclaimed for their historical insight and linguistic nuance—have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature.
Over the years, Bassiouney has also served as a public intellectual in the Arab world, advocating for cultural preservation and linguistic diversity. Her research has illuminated the evolving dynamics of Arabic dialects and their role in shaping modern identity, while her fiction has brought historical narratives and underrepresented voices to the forefront.
In a statement on social media following the ceremony, Bassiouney wrote:
“It is a great honor to receive this honorary doctorate, especially 23 years after my Ph.D. from Oxford. This time, the recognition is for service to society, culture, and history—a true privilege.”
Cape Breton University, known for its commitment to community-based learning and global cultural exchange, described Bassiouney as “a powerful voice in both academia and the literary world,” citing her contributions as “critical to fostering cross-cultural understanding.”
Reem Bassiouney holds the Chair of Linguistics at The American University in Cairo and is the author of several acclaimed novels, including “The Mamluk Trilogy” and “Love, Arab Style.”
