News
Athletes, coaches and the university community gathered at the Student Center Indoor Court to launch the new season, induct three members into the AUK Sports Hall of Fame and recognize the best of 2025–26.
AUK opened its 2026–27 sports season with the Season Kick-Off on Thursday, 15 October, at 7:00 PM in the Student Center Indoor Court. Built around the theme “Spot Earned,” the evening celebrated the students who earned a place on the university's teams.
The Office of Student Life and Alumni Affairs organized the event, which brought more than 85 athletes, coaches and guests together in a seating layout built around a central stage below the main screen. Athletes received framed recognition and giveaways, and a photo booth gave teams a place to mark the night.
The program inducted three members into the AUK Sports Hall of Fame: Dr. Roman Kulchitsky, men's soccer coach from 2010 to 2015; Shaikhah Al Sabah, women's basketball captain from 2023 to 2026, who won the KUC in the 2024–25 season; and Fay AlHumoud, women's volleyball captain from 2005 to 2007, who won the UCC in the 2005–06 season. Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player and Rising Star awards were then presented for the 2025–26 season to men's futsal, women's volleyball, men's volleyball and women's soccer.
The Season Kick-Off came two days before the KIPCO Universities Championship (KUC) Fall 2026 began at AUK on Saturday, 17 October. The championship brings together university teams in men's soccer (6v6), men's basketball, women's basketball and women's futsal, with matches in the Student Center Indoor Court and the outdoor soccer field.
"Sports are where our students learn to show up, work together and take pride in representing AUK. Tonight was about honoring the athletes who earned their place, and the people who built this program before them." – Omar Mehdi, Dean, Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
"Every spot on an AUK team is earned at tryouts, in practice and on game day. Tonight we celebrated the athletes who did that, and we are ready for the season ahead." – Anas Abdullah, Sports Coordinator, Office of Student Life and Alumni Affairs.
AUK sports teams will compete throughout the 2026–27 academic year. Fixtures and updates are shared through the official KUC-portal.com.
Images from the event
Students of the American University of Kuwait (AUK) Data Club demonstrated their data-analytics skills in a briefing to the Director and officials of the Industrial Planning Department at the Public Authority for Industry (PAI). The session began at 9:00 AM.
The students used only summary data published on the PAI website to prepare an executive report, The Food Industry in Kuwait — production, supply chains and the road to food security. Their contribution centred on transforming published information into a clear, professionally presented analysis for a decision-making audience.
Advanced analytics in practice
The achievement lay in moving beyond a descriptive summary to interpret the published information, connect findings across sector themes and develop an executive-level account. Students applied analytical judgement, data visualisation and synthesis to communicate insights and practical recommendations.
Communicating evidence clearly
The report brought together production, market structure, supply chains, workforce, food security and competitiveness. Presenting this work to industrial-planning officials gave students an opportunity to explain their analysis in a professional setting and make complex information accessible to a specialist audience.
Learning beyond the classroom
The visit highlighted students’ ability to apply academic learning to a real sector, collaborate on an executive report and present their work with purpose. It placed their analytical performance and professional communication at the centre of the achievement.
Data literacy with a wider purpose
The initiative reflects the Club’s mission to strengthen data literacy and help people use data to make informed decisions, solve problems and work together, aligned with New Kuwait Vision 2035.
The students’ achievement was turning published summary data into clear analytical insights and an executive report for a professional audience.
Event Participants
Taleen Ali
President and Presenter
Jaffar Jassim
Vice President and Presenter
Ahmad Buskandar
Treasury and Presenter
Yasmeen Abdelkhalik
Marketing & Media and Content Coverage
Noor Buhadidah
Secretary and Presenter
Amnah Jarkhi
Public Relations and Presenter
Afsah Abdullah
Supervisor
Dr. Ahmad Alsaber
Mentor
Members of the AUK Data Club with officials of the Public Authority for Industry
General photos from the event
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) celebrated its Class of 2026 on Monday, October 5, 2026, awarding degrees to 526 graduates during a ceremony held at The Arena in 360 Mall. The ceremony was attended by AUK Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; members of the University’s Board of Trustees; diplomats; distinguished guests; faculty members; Dr. Jasim Al-Ali, Secretary-General of the Council of Private Universities; and the graduates’ families and friends.
The ceremony opened with the national anthem, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran. AUK President Dr. Aseel AlAwadhi congratulated the graduates on their achievement and commending their accomplishments throughout their academic journey. She emphasized the importance of the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and values they had gained during their years at AUK, highlighting their future role in serving their communities and contributing to the future of Kuwait and the world.
The ceremony also featured remarks by Dr. Jasim Al-Ali, Secretary-General of the Council of Private Universities, followed by the guest speaker, author Bothayna Al-Essa, who addressed the graduates on the importance of knowledge and the human experience. She encouraged them to build on what they had learned throughout their academic journey and to use their knowledge and abilities to make a positive impact on their communities and the world around them.
Two class valedictorians also shared their reflections on their academic journeys and marking this important milestone with their fellow graduates.
The ceremony then proceeded to one of the most anticipated moments for the graduates: the conferral of degrees. AUK President Dr. Aseel AlAwadhi, alongside the College Deans, awarded degrees to the graduating class.
The ceremony concluded with graduates celebrating this memorable milestone and taking commemorative photographs with their families, friends, and faculty members, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their personal and professional journeys.
The College of Engineering & Applied Sciences at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) is proud to announce that RACXpert, an academic advising tool developed within the College, has been shortlisted for the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026 in the Access, Diversity & Inclusion category.
Selected from 2,226 submissions, RACXpert has been recognized for its innovative approach to supporting students and faculty advisors in academic planning.
This milestone is especially meaningful as RACXpert is the first project from Kuwait in the current decade to be shortlisted for the QS Reimagine Education Awards and progress to the next round.
RACXpert was developed to help faculty advisors and students plan for the upcoming semester with greater clarity and confidence. The tool brings together a student’s academic progress and available course options, helping advisors identify courses that meet degree requirements and keep students on track toward graduation, while reducing the time spent on administrative and logistical tasks.
The idea behind RACXpert was inspired by the team’s experience working closely with students and recognizing the time and effort involved in reviewing academic records and course requirements during advising.
The development team consists of Eng. Ali Behiry and Eng. Aya Eltoukhy Rezk, both Instructional Assistants in the Engineering Labs.
“We are immensely proud that RACXpert has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. This recognition reflects the dedication, spirit of innovation, and commitment to academic excellence within CEAS. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Eng. Ali and Eng. Aya on this outstanding achievement. I also express my sincere gratitude to the CEAS faculty, whose valuable insights, thoughtful feedback, and continued support over the past three years have helped shape RACXpert into what it is today.” — Prof. Mohammed El-Abd, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
The team will be represented at the QS Reimagine Education Awards and Conference in London from December 6–8, 2026, where the shortlisted projects will be recognized alongside innovative education initiatives from around the world.
This recognition highlights the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences’ continued efforts to develop innovative solutions that enhance the academic experience and support student success.
The American University of Kuwait continues its commitment to promoting mental health and building a more aware university community.
Through the “Houna” initiative, we strive to support our students and university community by raising mental health awareness, encouraging dialogue, and creating a safe space that supports our community.
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burgan Bank, reflecting the University’s commitment to providing greater support and financial options for its students, helping facilitate their academic journey.
This partnership comes as part of AUK’s ongoing commitment to empowering and supporting its students throughout their university experience.
CBE was proud to host the Kuwait Association of Accountants and Auditors (KAAA) on October 7. The day featured an engaging information booth and an insightful session with KAAA President Mr. Abdullah AlEissa, alongside board members Dr. Fahad AlAzmi and Faisal AlTubaikh.
They shared KAAA's initiatives and highlighted how future accounting graduates will drive corporate development and economic growth.
A huge thank you to our amazing Accounting Club for their incredible efforts and involvement in making this event a success! Your dedication to connecting students with industry leaders is invaluable.
Thank you to KAAA, our faculty, and all the students who participated!
Images from the event
AUK continues to broaden its students' horizons through an expanding network of partnerships with distinguished universities across the globe, offering pathways to world-class academic and cultural experiences.
This fall, AUK students Jasmine Naser and Dana Ahmed have embarked on a semester abroad at Sciences Po, one of Europe's most prestigious institutions in the social sciences. The two are studying at different campuses of the university. Jasmine, a Management major, is in the vibrant capital of Paris while Dana, a Finance major, is in the historic city of Reims, each gaining a unique perspective on French academic and cultural life. Their journey reflects the strength of AUK's partnership with Sciences Po and the University's ongoing commitment to opening doors to meaningful international learning.
Throughout the semester, Jasmine and Dana will earn academic credit while immersing themselves in a new environment, sharpening their adaptability and independence, and building intercultural connections that extend well beyond the classroom. Experiences like these lie at the heart of AUK's mission to prepare globally minded graduates equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
As their semester in France unfolds, the AUK community proudly follows Jasmine and Dana's journey, eager to see how their time at Sciences Po shapes the next chapter of their academic lives. They now join a growing community of AUK students who have turned an experience abroad into a defining part of their education — and the University looks forward to welcoming them home with new perspectives to share.
Dana Ahmed
Jasmine Naser
Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Professor of Political Science and International Law at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), has published a new scholarly article examining Kuwait’s constitutional framework for incorporating and applying international law within its domestic legal system.
Titled “The Constitutional Incorporation of International Law in Gulf Arab States: Kuwait’s Model of Qualified Dualism in Comparative Perspective,” the article explores how Kuwait’s constitutional system governs the relationship between international legal obligations and domestic law. The study was published in the Journal of Daoist Studies (a Scopus-indexed Q2 academic journal), Vol. 19, Special Issue 2 (2026), pp. 157–172.
The article represents the first systematic doctrinal study in the English-language comparative international law literature of Kuwait’s constitutional framework governing the incorporation and domestic application of international law. The research introduces the concept of “qualified dualism” as a framework for understanding Kuwait’s distinctive approach to international law. Dr. Hamzeh examines how Kuwait combines formal constitutional requirements for incorporating international treaties into domestic law with circumstances in which treaty provisions may have direct judicial applicability.
A central focus of the study is Article 70 of Kuwait’s Constitution, which establishes requirements concerning the ratification of treaties. The research examines how these constitutional requirements interact with judicial practice and the doctrine of self-executing treaty provisions. According to the study, this creates a distinctive relationship between international and domestic law that does not fit neatly within conventional classifications of monism and dualism.
The article makes three principal contributions to comparative international and constitutional law. First, it provides a systematic analysis of Kuwait’s constitutional framework governing the incorporation and domestic application of international law. Second, it develops “qualified dualism” as an analytical framework for understanding the interaction between constitutional requirements and judicial applicability. Third, it contributes a Gulf and non-Western perspective to comparative international law scholarship, providing a basis for further research into how different constitutional systems receive, interpret, and apply international legal obligations.
Dr. Hamzeh’s research contributes to broader scholarly discussions on constitutional law, international law, and legal systems in the Gulf, while highlighting Kuwait as an important case for understanding the diverse ways in which international law operates within domestic constitutional frameworks. The publication reflects AUK’s commitment to supporting faculty scholarship, research, and intellectual engagement with issues of significance to Kuwait and the wider region.
Read the full article: The Constitutional Incorporation of International Law in Gulf Arab States: Kuwait’s Model of Qualified Dualism in Comparative Perspective
Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Professor of Political Science and International Law
As part of its commitment to serving the community and creating a positive social impact, the American University of Kuwait (AUK), in collaboration with LOYAC, launched a community initiative to support families with limited income and help them prepare for the new academic year.
The initiative included the preparation of comprehensive school kits containing essential supplies for students across different educational stages. A total of 200 students received the kits through LOYAC, helping them prepare for the academic year and ensuring they have access to the basic educational resources they need.
This initiative reflects AUK’s commitment to strengthening its social responsibility and contributing to meaningful community-focused initiatives that create a lasting positive impact, while supporting students as they begin a new academic year.
Through this collaboration, AUK seeks to work alongside LOYAC to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with preparing for the academic year and ensure that students have access to the essential supplies needed to begin their studies with confidence and readiness.
Volunteering also represents an essential component of this initiative, highlighting the important role volunteers play in promoting a culture of giving and encouraging individuals to actively contribute to serving others. Such volunteer experiences provide participants with an opportunity to make a direct contribution to the community, foster teamwork and initiative, and strengthen their sense of responsibility toward others, highlighting the value of volunteerism and its role in community development.
The initiative also reflects the importance of partnership and collaboration between institutions in uniting efforts and expanding the scope of initiatives aimed at supporting students. AUK continues to collaborate with organizations across Kuwait to support initiatives that contribute to empowering individuals, addressing their needs, and building a better future for all.
Group photo of AUK volunteers during the initiative
General photo of the initiative
General photo of the initiative
