Sharjah: Amir Al Sunni

The American University is one of the important educational pillars in the emirate. It was founded by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, whose vision was to be an educational institution that keeps pace with the aspirations of contemporary society, in the UAE, the Arabian Gulf region, and the world.

Since its establishment, His Highness has supervised all the details of college plans, architectural designs of buildings, gardening, and infrastructure, to create the appropriate environment for students that will help them complete their university studies.

Since Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi assumed its presidency, and thanks to her great efforts in developing it, the university has achieved international rankings that place it in high ranks among Arab and regional universities. She has personally followed the development of the university through academic curricula, scientific research, and strategic partnerships with relevant authorities, inside and outside the country. .

The American University of Sharjah dates back to 1997, under the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and is distinguished by its academic programs, scholarships, and community contributions through research and intellectual leadership. It is famous for its distinguished educational staff and its heritage in civil and architectural engineering.

The university includes 4 specialized colleges, offering 28 bachelor’s, 16 master’s, and 3 doctoral programs, including: College of Architecture and Design Art, Bachelor of Architectural Art, Bachelor of Design Management Science, Bachelor of Interior Design, Bachelor of Multimedia Design Science, and Bachelor of Communication Science. Visual, Master in Urban Planning.

It also includes the College of Engineering, Civil, Computer, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering Science, Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Computer Engineering, Master of Science in Construction Management, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science in Mechatronic Engineering, and Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Systems Management.

The College of Business includes Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Business Administration and Accounting, Business Administration in Economics, Bachelor of Finance, Management Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management Information Systems, Bachelor of Marketing, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), Master of Finance (MSF), and Doctor of Business Administration (PhD-BA).

The College of Arts and Sciences includes a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, a Bachelor of Media and Communication, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, a Bachelor of Mathematics, a Bachelor of Physics, a Bachelor of Chemistry, and a Master of English Language Teaching. For Non-Native Speakers (MA TESOL), Master of Translation and Interpretation (MATI), Master of Mathematical Sciences (MSMTH), Doctorate of Science and Engineering (PhD-MSE).

Continuous development

The university rose five places in its global rankings, as it was finally ranked among the top 25 percent of global higher education institutions, and rose five places in its global rankings, according to the QS World University Rankings for the year 2024, as the classification system this year reviewed the performance of 2,963 educational institutions. High quality from all over the world.

The American University of Sharjah ranked first among local universities in employment reputation with employers, second in academic reputation and research citations for its international faculty members and the diversity of their nationalities, and third in employment rates of its graduates and the proportion of international students according to the latest QS rankings.

It also advanced 29 ranks globally in employment reputation, 19 ranks in academic reputation, and 34 ranks in research citations for its faculty members.

Its ranking in first place among local universities in terms of employment reputation with employers stems from its firm commitment to graduating influential leaders in their communities and in the world, as the experiences of its graduates reflect the quality of education it provides, and keeps pace with development in the rapidly changing world of industries. Its graduates are considered the preferred choice for employers in international companies and prestigious educational institutions, as many of them work today in the government sector, as entrepreneurs and influential leaders in various industries, and as academics and researchers in the best educational institutions in the world.

This achievement comes in light of the university’s celebration of its silver jubilee, which is a real addition to the achievements achieved by this institution in a short period, due to the efforts of the graduates who were able to make a difference in their communities, and the hard work that the faculty and administrative staff devote to developing the university and supporting its position as a center for distinguished education. And advanced research.

The university was ranked among the top 10 Arab universities based on the QS university rankings for the Arab region for the year 2023, and for the past eight consecutive years. It also ranked first in the UAE, in accounting and finance, business and management, architecture, built environment, art and design, and civil and structural engineering (tie), based on the QS World University Rankings for 2023. It was also ranked among the best universities in the UAE in Electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautics, manufacturing, chemical engineering, computer science and information systems, based on the same classification.

Young forearms

During the past year, the American University of Sharjah witnessed the graduation of 1,000 students, both male and female, from various colleges, as it celebrated the graduation of 439 male and female students, future pioneers, from the fall semester of 2022, including 367 from the undergraduate level, and 72 from the graduate level. The batch was divided into 220 males and 219 females, and the number of Emiratis reached 132 male and female graduates. The male and female graduates were classified according to their colleges as follows: 19 from the College of Architecture, Art and Design, 56 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 118 from the College of Business Administration, and 246 from the College of Engineering.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the University, witnessed the graduation ceremony for the fall 2023 semester on December 9, which celebrated the academic achievements and future ambitions of 488 graduates, male and female, and honored their academic career, which was characterized by a spirit of determination and dedication, and the total number of bachelor’s degree students who graduated: 429, including 232 males, 256 females. The total number of graduate students reached 59.

Research centers

The university launched three research centers: energy, water and sustainable environment, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development, and materials science, within the university’s goals set by the Board of Trustees, led by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi.

Each center focuses on specialized research areas that support the university’s research efforts and excellence, as the Energy Research Center in the College of Engineering focuses on developing global research, to achieve a global and local impact that enables the university to support the UAE’s strategic plans, such as the strategic initiative for climate neutrality in the UAE. 2050, a sustainable environment and integrated infrastructure (Vision 2021), the National Program for Water and Energy Demand Management, the UAE General Environmental Policy, the UAE Circular Economy Policy, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, and the Water Security Strategy. For the UAE 2036.

The Second Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary research center that works in close cooperation with strategic partners in Sharjah, to serve the university’s academic community and put student research innovations presented by faculty members on the market, which supports the efforts of students, graduates, and faculty members in entrepreneurship, and contributes to benefiting from From the innovation system in the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE.

The Materials Science Research Center in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences focuses on sponsoring multidisciplinary research and educational activities in advanced materials and sustainable structures, in order to provide new solutions and develop highly skilled human resources important for enhancing economic growth in the UAE, especially with the transformation of… The country’s economy is moving away from oil to a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

Advanced curricula

As the American University of Sharjah aspires to enhance its academic programs in line with the ever-changing market and global needs, it launched a new doctoral program in bioscience and engineering, which began in the fall of 2023. It is the fourth doctoral program offered by the university, strengthening its prestigious position as an institution of distinguished higher education. A leading center for new research. The new program is in the College of Engineering, and the teaching of its various courses is supervised by members of its teaching staff in cooperation with professors from the College of Arts and Sciences. Its goal is to prepare graduates ready to face the current and future challenges facing the health care sector, nationally and globally, as well as providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as researchers, academics, and pioneers in the future.

The new program comes at a time of increased demand for basic services, such as health care, food, security, water and energy. The role of highly skilled specialists in bioscience and bioengineering has become pivotal to developing these services and providing them to all. The new PhD program in Bioscience and Engineering seeks to graduate specialists to provide support to governments and private sector service providers in the region and the world, to ensure that the needs of the population are adequately met through these services, today or in the future. They will also apply their knowledge of biology, engineering and technology to meet contemporary medical needs and develop innovative solutions that enhance healthcare services.

The program is supervised by faculty members at the forefront of their fields, who are currently working on research projects such as biosensors, implantable devices, biomechanics, cardiovascular disease, cancer pathology, cellular physiology, drug action, healthcare management, and diseases. Infectious and inflammatory, medical imaging, bioinformatics, microfluidics, neuroscience, and neural engineering.

The program has a role in achieving the goals of the UAE’s plans, as the multidisciplinary nature of the program stimulates an academic environment that enhances excellence in teaching and research work, which helps students become specialists and innovative people, distinguished by high efficiency and responsibility. The program works directly to contribute to achieving the UAE’s plans to provide high-quality education in bioscience and engineering to support the health care services, biotechnology and life sciences sectors.

The program receives applications from students interested in studying, full-time or part-time, while providing full-time students with the opportunity to obtain graduate scholarships throughout the duration of the program.

Keeping up with the labor market

The university continues to expand in offering new master’s programs to meet the requirements of the changing labor market. From this standpoint, the College of Arts and Sciences recently announced the launch of the “Master of Arts in International Studies” program, to prepare the next generation of influential future leaders in the world.

The new master’s program will prepare students for prestigious careers in diverse international affairs fields such as foreign service, diplomatic service, trade, international aid, international development, global finance, and many others. In addition to deepening their knowledge of the solid foundations of the historical events that led to changing the current global order, by enrolling in this program, students will discover the latest developments that affect the relations between countries and organizations, regionally and globally. The program’s curriculum focuses on various issues, especially historical issues that affect modern relations in the Middle East, especially the Gulf region, and how current negotiations and agreements will affect the governmental and non-governmental sectors.

Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the University

After a career full of academic achievements for more than 25 years, until the American University of Sharjah became a great place for him, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, issued Emiri Decree No. (6) of 2023 AD appointing Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan. Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, and Chairman of its Board of Trustees.

Following the decree, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said on the “X” platform following her appointment, “I thank my father and my teacher, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, for his precious confidence in appointing me as president of the American University of Sharjah, of which His Highness was president for a quarter of a century… This high honor gives me a great responsibility.” “To maintain the university’s distinguished academic standing and graduate a new generation of innovators in various fields.”

As soon as she took over the banner, Sheikha Bodour began putting forward a renewed and ambitious vision to raise the university’s status and set a higher standard to distinguish it from other academic institutions in light of a competitive market for students, faculty members and resources, not only in the UAE, but regionally and globally.

She explained her vision during a meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees, saying, “The university’s leadership has taken a strategic decision to become a world-leading Emirati center for education, research and innovation. The establishment of these research centers is a major step in this direction, and by approving these ambitious projects, the Board of Trustees reflects the bold spirit of innovation and progress that… “The university is represented by it, as it is developing rapidly in terms of attendance and influence, with enrollment rates and classification rising rapidly, and these steps will contribute to accelerating this process in the medium to long term.”

She stressed that the university continues its ambitious efforts to support national talent.

Localization

The American University, headed by Sheikha Baddour, has developed an Emiratization strategy that focuses on building a workforce that takes into account gender diversity, by enabling more Emirati women to participate and hold senior positions, as diversity will contribute to building distinguished institutions and developed countries, which will add value to the efforts of our current teachers and employees who They come from several countries.

She stressed that Emiratisation at the university requires continuous efforts, noting that it will fully support the entry of Emiratis to work there by implementing training programs that encourage the local workforce to be aware of the latest labor market requirements, and aims to enhance the welcoming social atmosphere that enhances belonging and national pride for employees. Locals, especially young Emiratis.