AU Newsletter January 2018

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Newsletter | January 2019

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY TO AJMAN UNIVERSITY

Excellence

Two Engineering Programs Earn ABET Accreditation

AU’s Bachelor of Science programs in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. AU is now part of an elite group of 775 institutions in 31 countries to be accredited by ABET.

Architecture Program Becomes First in GCC to Earn UNESCO-UIA Validation

AU’s Architecture Program has earned validation from UNESCO-UIA, the International Union of Architects. Recognition of architecture programs by the Validation System represents an internationally benchmarked assessment of quality. AU is the first university in the GCC – and the third in the Arab world – to achieve Validation status.

“Year of Zayed” Ceremony Graduates 926 Students

H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Ajman, and Chairman of AU’s Board of Trustees, presided over Ajman University’s 27th graduation ceremony in October. “The Year of Zayed” batch is comprised of 926 students representing 44 countries. In a surprise twist, Toronto-based alumnus Sayah Sultan (Class of 1992) offered his son Talal congratulations and words of wisdom via a live broadcast. Video of the emotional moment went viral on social media.

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Honors Assembly Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence

The AU community celebrated distinguished faculty, staff, and students, as well as outstanding alumni and partners, during the annual Honors Assembly, November 17. The event also commemorated AU’s 30th Anniversary by honoring 12 employees who have worked at AU since 1988. A total of 430 students received medals for academic distinction; three industry partners were lauded along with outstanding alumni Hashem Salem ‘12.

Innovation

A.I. Minister Launches Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series

Themed “Inventing the Future,” the Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series will bring highly respected leaders to campus each semester. The inaugural lecture, held November 19, was delivered by His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. The Minster inspired AU community members with the latest A.I. technologies and tools already being used in the UAE.

Student Team Earns Top Awards in Global Solar Decathlon

Team AquaGreen from AU won top honors in “Engineering & Construction” and “Energy Management” at the Solar Decathlon competition, November in Dubai. AU students worked for 18 months to design and build their sustainable, zero-CO2 emission house. By reducing air-conditioning energy consumption by 60 percent inside their modern structure, AquaGreen became the only team from the Middle East to dominate in multiple categories.

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“Sense7” Project Wins Gold in Oscars of Education

Developed by Engineering Lecturer Tazeen Sharif and two AU alumni, “Sense7” is an A.I.-based solution that enables the visually impaired to participate in mainstream education and develop vocational skills. Their impactful project earned top honors in the “Regional Awards” category in the QS Reimagine Education Awards – considered the “Oscars” of teaching and learning. From more than 1184 entries, only 17 earned distinction.

AU Innovation Center Holds Startup Competition

Ajman University’s Innovation Center (AUIC) hosted an idea competition, in November, that brought more than 80 startup entrepreneurs and university students to campus. AUIC’s semi-annual idea events are designed to reward and foster the most innovative fledgling concepts. In sync with AU’s 30th Anniversary, there are 30 startups currently being incubated at AUIC.

INTERNATIONALIZATION

AU Sponsors Historic Night for Indian Higher Education

AU partnered with QS Intelligence Unit to sponsor a landmark celebration, October 15 in New Delhi, for India's higher education landscape. The gala event at the Shangri La Hotel commemorated the launch of the 2019 QS BRICS University Rankings and the inaugural results of QS’s new India ratings system, “QS I-GAUGE.” Chancellor Karim Seghir addressed attendees at the dinner; Chief of Staff Nancy Bercaw served as master of ceremonies.

AU Sponsors QS Reimagine Education Conference in USA

AU served as a Gold Sponsor of the QS Reimagine Education Conference and Awards, November in San Francisco, California. A delegation of 5 from the University – including Chancellor Karim Seghir, who moderated a panel discussion – spent two days networking with more than 400 conference attendees. AU’s booth was a popular destination thanks to camel soap and Arabian dates.

China Education Expo Brings Ajman to Beijing

In cooperation with the Ajman Chamber of Commerce, Ajman University participated in the China Education Expo in Beijing in October. The Expo brings more than 600 educational institutes from 40 different countries together with thousands of Chinese students who want to study abroad. Chancellor Karim Seghir met with Beijing government officials and business leaders to discuss potential partnerships.

AU Approved for Membership in EFMD Global Network

The College of Business Administration was granted full membership into EFMD on December 5, 2018. EFMD, the accrediting body of EQUIS and EPAS, is a global network of business schools and corporations dedicated to enhancing excellence in management education and development globally. Based in Brussels, with offices in Asia and the Americas, EFMD has nearly 900 member organizations from academia, business, public service and consultancy in 88 countries.

Canadian Alumni Chapter Receives AU Chancellor in Toronto

More than 50 Canadian alumni gathered at Toronto’s famed Shangri La Hotel on December 2 to share dinner, as well as personal memories and future plans, with Chancellor Karim Seghir and a delegation from AU. The Office of Alumni plans to expand the current base of 14 global chapters to 30 by 2020. To connect with AU’s Alumni Association, please email alumni@ajman.ac.ae.

Social IMPACT

Mobile Dental Clinic Assists UAE’s Vulnerable Populations

Since rolling out in October, AU’s Mobile Dental Clinic has served more than 300 people across the UAE. The clinic’s first trip was to a senior citizens’ home in Ajman, where services were provided at no cost to 17 elderly patients. The clinic also recently provided 27 low-income workers with free dental care. An article in The National newspaper heralded the clinic as a “community-spirited service.”

Alumni Shares YouTube “Creators for Change” Video at UN

Social media influencer and AU alumnae Maha Jaafar ’16 was invited to the United Nations headquarters in New York in November to share her innovative efforts to combat hate, racism and xenophobia as part of YouTube’s “Creators for Change” initiative. Maha’s stunning video – which has had 1.7 million views – takes viewers on a journey through her home country of Sudan.

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AU Joins EDRAAK to Provide Online Learning to Arab World

AU will share faculty expertise with the Arab World thanks to an agreement with EDRAAK – the Arabic-language massive open online course (MOOC) platform with more than 1 million subscribers. Founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, EDRAAK is an initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation (QRF).

Ajman to Zanzibar: 30 Students to Take Service Trip

Thirty AU students have been carefully selected through an essay contest to participate in an all-expenses-paid, community service trip to Zanzibar in March 2019. The initiative commemorates AU’s 30-year history as a socially responsibly institution. Students will work in a local orphanage and visit the Dhow Countries Music Academy to learn musical traditions of the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

INCLUSIVENESS

French and Indian Exchange Students Study at AU

Four students from L'Institut d'Ostéopathie de Bordeaux in France and five students from Saveetha University in Chennai, India visited campus in the Fall as part of AU’s exchange programs. The students participated in the College of Dentistry’s curriculum: lectures, laboratory work, and observing surgical operations. In March 2019, AU students will travel to France and India for reciprocal studies.

Club Fair Showcases 87 Co-Curricular Offerings

Nearly 1000 AU students attended the 2018 Club Fair, hosted by the Deanship of Student Affairs in September. The two-day event featured 87 booths showcasing the wide-ranging options for a dynamic co-curricular experience. The Club Fair reflects the interests – as well as the broad cultural and intellectual diversity – of AU students who represent more than 75 nationalities.

Alumni Share Career Strategies in Open Forum

An Alumni Open Forum, September 17, brought successful AU graduates back to campus to share stories and strategies with current students. Their panel discussion covered topics such as resume building and interview tips, as well as soft skills needed to thrive in the marketplace. More than 36,000 AU alumni – representing 101 different nationalities – now work around the world.

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