A Year in Review
In 2023, American University of Sharjah (AUS) embarked on a transformative experience, marking a significant period of change and growth in its journey. Here are some of the highlights of 2023.
1. Leadership and academic appointments
After 25 years at the helm, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and Founder of AUS, approved Emiri Decree 6 (2023) on the appointment of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of AUS, marking the start of a new chapter for the university, heralding a visionary leadership that aspires to propel the institution toward growth and elevating Emiratization as an institutional priority.
Sheikha Bodour appointed a new AUS Board of Trustees to provide strategic leadership, guidance and oversight to ensure that AUS’ mission and goals are effectively fulfilled.
The university also saw the appointment of Dr. Tod A. Laursen as its seventh Chancellor, leveraging his 30 years of experience to spearhead progress and growth in the university, focusing on the enhancement of research, degree programs and graduate preparation.
AUS named His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Former Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Former Minister of Infrastructure Development in the UAE, its inaugural Senior Fellow in the College of Engineering (CEN).
2. Top regional and national academic rankings
Building upon its continuing excellence, AUS is among the top 25 percent of universities in the world, ranking in the top 400, according to QS World University Rankings 2024. It has also been ranked first in employer reputation, second in academic reputation and third in employment outcomes in the UAE.
QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2024 also ranked AUS among the top 10 Arab universities for the ninth consecutive year. It also ranked AUS second in ratio for international faculty and third in ratio for international students in the Arab Region.
3. Faculty endeavors
From delving into the intersection of foreign policy and human rights, influencing Arab women's literature and exploring cosmic discoveries to harnessing the power of robotics, advancing 3D concrete building and developing cancer treatment, AUS faculty have showcased their versatility in impactful research. They garnered global acclaim leading to the recognition of 24 faculty members among the world's top 2 percent of researchers in a study led by Professor John Ioannidis from Stanford University and published by Elsevier BV. The QS World University Rankings 2024 further positioned AUS as second in the UAE for citations per faculty, highlighting the broad and influential scope of its faculty's active engagement in research referenced by scholars worldwide.
In support of AUS research endeavors, the AUS Board of Trustees in Fall 2023 approved the establishment of the Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center in CEN; the Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development in the School of Business Administration (SBA); and the Materials Research Center in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
AUS faculty have also been influencing cultural and architectural perspectives at a global scale. Faysal Tabbarah, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture at the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD), curated a body of research titled Aridly Abundant as part of the UAE National Pavilion participation in Biennale Architettura 2023.
4. New programs
AUS strategically introduced new programs in 2023 to proactively align with dynamic industry trends, offering cutting-edge learning opportunities that incorporate contemporary innovations.
AUS introduced a blended learning format for its MBA program in partnership with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, and a Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering in collaboration with Sharjah Civil Defence Authority. The AUS Board of Trustees also approved the launch of a Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice program to be offered in Fall 2024, through the Department of Media Communication in the CAS.
AUS also welcomed the first cohort for the Master of Arts in International Studies program and the PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering. It also introduced Korean language courses and upgraded its undergraduate engineering programs to meet new market trends.
5. Decade-high student enrollment
AUS welcomed in Fall 2023 the highest number of new undergraduate students in 10 years and the highest enrollment record in seven years, with more than 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students choosing to pursue their academic journeys at AUS in Fall 2023.
6. Sustainability
AUS marked the UAE Year of sustainability with a series of events and activities culminating with co-hosting the largest youth conference focusing on UN climate processes, the Conference of Youth (COY18), and its active participation in COP28 from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
AUS was also ranked third in the UAE and among the world’s top 600 universities in sustainability, according to QS World University Rankings: Sustainability (2024).
7. Community service
AUS raised more than AED 500,000 for Gaza as part of two donation drives organized by student clubs, the Office of Student Affairs and Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, in collaboration with the UAE Red Crescent and the Big Heart Foundation.
The AUS Community Service and Outreach Office also implemented several initiatives including the Hand in Hand Initiative, used books sale, Al-Thiqa Sports Day, Toy Story Campaign, the Ramadan Care Package and many more. It also joined the Donate Your Own Device (DYOD) campaign by The Digital School, one of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and signed an MoU with the Sharjah Social Services Department to foster a culture of volunteerism among students.
8. Select student and alumni achievements
AUS students and alumni have been garnering global recognition. A team of seven students in the AUS Leadership Program secured the Distinguished Delegation Award at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference in New York in April 2023. CAAD alumnus Arian Saghfafifar also earned him the title of global winner in the visual arts category at the Global Undergraduate Awards 2023, while engineering alumnus Amjad Azmeer received the esteemed GreenBiz 30 Under 30 accolade for driving change in corporate sustainability roles.
9. External collaboration and outreach
As part of AUS’ efforts to foster synergies with industry partners, the university’s colleges/school signed several memoranda of understanding encompassing a spectrum of endeavors, ranging from joint research projects to mutually beneficial exchange programs. These range from Sharakah Program agreements and the AUS Engineering Al Nukhba Program to SBA’s agreement with Monitor Deloitte and CAS partnering with St. George’s University (SGU) to offer AUS graduates in biology, chemistry and environmental sciences an automatic scholarship to SGU’s Doctor of Medicine program. AUS also signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) to foster exchange in research, academia, technology and innovation.
AUS also held its inaugural Advisory Council of Development and Outreach (ACDO) meeting chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, and celebrated the significant contributions of its corporate supporters at the AUS annual Corporate Appreciation Event.
10. Student life
AUS commemorated various international days by organizing a diverse array of activities, highlighting its commitment to global awareness and inclusivity. Among these initiatives were events dedicated to International Women's Day, breast cancer awareness and mental health advocacy. The university also held its most celebrated cultural event of the year, the AUS Global Day, as well as several cultural and student-focused events including its semi-annual Club Fair and eagerly anticipated Career Fair.
With a focus on extracurricular activities, AUS awarded 32 students with scholarships for their outstanding contributions to co-curricular engagements and athletics.
In Fall 2023, AUS placed first in the 13th RAKMHSHU Sport Festival in men’s cricket and table tennis competitions, and in women’s badminton, chess, track and volleyball tournaments.
The AUS powerlifting team won the men’s category in the First Asian Universities Cup in Classic Powerlifting.
In Spring 2023, AUS came in first in men’s basketball in AUS Intercollegiate Ramadan Sports Tournament, in powerlifting at the Sixth AUS Intercollegiate Bench Press Competition and in soccer at the First RAK-Stirling Inter-Varsity Football tournament. AUS women teams won first place in badminton in the GMU Sports Festival 2023, in soccer in the AUS Intercollegiate Ramadan Sports Tournament and in volleyball in the HCT Volleyball Tournament.To learn more about AUS, join us on a virtual tour around our campus, where every click opens a door to the endless opportunities that await!
