After graduation, Lama was selected for an internship at ICCROM, an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which led to being appointed Manager of Continuing Education. This role offered valuable insight into work beyond academia while remaining closely connected to it.

Lama returned to ECA to begin a PhD in Architecture while also becoming a tutor in MSc Architectural Conservation, a full circle moment tutoring on the same programme she once studied.

Why ECA?

I chose to study at ECA because the MSc in Architectural Conservation is the longest running programme of its kind in the United Kingdom. The programme’s masterclass series, featuring guest speakers from both academia and industry, was another key factor that distinguished it from other similar programmes.  In researching the programme, I also spoke to alumni to gain a student perspective, and the feedback I received was consistently positive, which strongly reinforced my decision. I was also particularly drawn to the opportunity to live and study in Edinburgh, a city of unparalleled beauty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tell us about your time at ECA

I had an excellent experience with my classmates; they were an exceptionally talented and diverse group of people, and I was fortunate to share that time with them in Edinburgh. We remain in touch to this day. A highlight of the programme was the weekly field trips, which allowed us to explore historic cities, sites, and buildings across Scotland and the wider UK, alongside a memorable end-of-semester study trip to Germany, where we examined the impact of World War II on the historic built environment and approaches to post-war reconstruction.

Group projects also played a central role in the MSc programme, allowing us to explore the historic fabric of Edinburgh in depth. This included designing a modern intervention on the Tron Kirk as part of a course on interventions in historic buildings, and analysing Old Moray House, one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, for a course on building analysis.

I also benefited from opportunities advertised through the MSc programme and the University, including volunteering in field surveys with Edinburgh World Heritage and contributing to the restoration of McEwan Hall, where, alongside some of my classmates, I assisted in cleaning its historic wall paintings. These experiences enriched my studies and provided valuable practical insight.

Tell us about your experiences since graduating

Though I was sad to leave Edinburgh, I was fortunate to stay on for a few months after my course ended. That time allowed me to enjoy the city and explore other parts of the UK without the pressure of deadlines or dissertation writing.

I had planned to return to Alexandria University to continue my academic career in Egypt. However, shortly after coming home, I was selected for an internship at ICCROM, an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Following the internship, I secured a role as Manager of Continuing Education at ICCROM, coordinating capacity-building activities for member states as well as a joint Masters programme in Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage in partnership with the University of Sharjah in the UAE. This experience offered valuable insight into work beyond academia while remaining closely connected to it.

After more than four years at ICCROM, I decided to return to academia and began a PhD in Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, funded by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities. In many ways, things came full circle when, alongside my PhD, I became a tutor in MSc Architectural Conservation, the same programme I had once studied.

Alumni wisdom

To those starting their studies at Edinburgh, you are about to start an exciting chapter in your life in one of the most amazing cities in the world, so work hard but make sure you enjoy it and take it all in as the time spent there will fly by quicker than you think.

For those about to graduate, congratulations on reaching this important milestone! You now have a strong qualification under your belt which will hopefully serve you well in the next chapter of your life, be it further study or the professional world. Just remember to take time to celebrate your achievement and to rest before embarking on your next adventure!