News

Recipients of the President's Honor Roll and Dean's list shared their joy with faculty, staff and parents during a ceremony held at the Liberal Arts Auditorium in celebration of AUK student's academic achievements. 

A record 259 students were awarded by AUK President Dr. Marina Tolmacheva for being on the Dean's List, which requires students to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The President's Honor Roll saw 27 recipients. These exemplary students must maintain a 4.0 GPA to be eligible for this honor. 

Please click here to view the list of Honor students (pdf)

The ceremony also recognized faculty-student successes; in particular MUNAUK's excellent showing at the 2008 Bahrain Conference, student victories in the Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition, as well as the success of the French Language DELF exam, which all students passed with high scores.
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the AUK president
 

Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the AUK president with student
 

Ibrahim Qaddoura's son receives his father's certificate from the AUK Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the AUK president with student
 

Father Congratulates daughter (an AUK student who was on the deans list)
 

MUNAUK was honored among AUK clubs & organizations

The Theater Program at the American University of Kuwait is proud to announce the opening of Trojan Women by Euripides on January 21st, 2009.The theatrical performance, based on the famous Greek tragedy, highlights the complex relationships among women, the implication of war and interplay of personal experiences in a conflicting, chaotic world.

The play sheds light on the agony and horrors that take place as an aftermath of war and armed conflict. It focuses on the shared sentiments of loss of freedom and privileges, bereavement of loved ones and the displacement and cruelty of human kind. The depth of emotion and experience portrayed throughout this stage production touches on the lives of millions of women spanning centuries. It is as current and felt today as it was thousands of years ago. "The goal of this play is to tell a powerful story that has endured for thousands and thousands of years that still holds a lesson that we can all relate to," said Trojan Women Director, Professor Christopher Gottschalk.

This is the Theater Program's second production, but the first to be staged at the Black Box Studio Theater at the American University of Kuwait, Salmiya Campus. The first was an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Dar Al-Athar Cultural Center in Spring of 2007. 

Trojan Women includes an all female cast and crew and will be performed in front of an all female audience. The decision to restrict the play to women is a reflection of the theme played out in the storyline and to create an atmosphere of shared experiences and understandings. 

Members of the cast and crew are all undergraduate students currently enrolled at the American University of Kuwait. The play is directed by Professor Christopher Gottschalk who has extensive experience in classical theater. Professor Gottschalk is a faculty member and Head of the Drama Department on campus.

Performances will start on January 21st and the production will close on January 24th. Ticket sales will be on-campus beginning Wednesday, January 14th and again on Thursday, January 15th.

Written by Maryam Al Shatti and edited by the AUK PR & Marketing Department

The Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait met early on Saturday and Sunday the 10th and 11th of January 2009 on the AUK Campus in Salmiya. The Board met to discuss several pressing issues, including accreditation, graduate programs, the new engineering program, strategic planning goals, and the new PUC membership regulations for private universities' boards of trustees.

Official Trustee engagements began early Saturday morning with accreditation updates at the top of the agenda. In addition to successful renewal of Kuwaiti accreditation, AUK is seeking international accreditation for selected programs. The Board also discussed academic planning and program development, specifically graduate programs and the newly introduced engineering program.

On Sunday, January 11, the meeting commenced with the President's State of the University report, focusing on the logistics for the new engineering program and on strategic planning. The Board formally approved the major goals and objectives of the 2008-2013 AUK Strategic Plan and amended the AUK By-Laws in consideration of the new PUC membership regulations for boards of trustees. The Board also tackled the issue of gender separation and its impact on academic planning.

In the evening, as a conclusion to the official Board activities, the Trustees were invited to attend the Dean's List and President's Honor Roll Ceremony held at the Liberal Arts Auditorium. 

The next board meeting will take place in May 2009.

The Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait consists of the following members:

Shaikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah
Founder and Chair, Board of Trustees, American University of Kuwait
Chair, United Education Company
Executive Manager, Al-Futooh Investment Company
Board Member, KIPCO Asset Management Company

Mr. Meshal Ali
Co-Founder and Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, American University of Kuwait
CEO, National Offset Company

Mr. Wael Abdul-Ghafoor
Co-Founder, American University of Kuwait
Chair, American School of Kuwait

Mr. Faisal Al-Ayyar
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer KIPCO (Holding)

Mr. Jassem Al-Mousa
Vice Chair, Kuwait Financial Center

HE Nabeela Al-Mulla
Honorary Trustee
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Belgium
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Head of Mission of the State of Kuwait to the European Communities.

Thomas Bartlett, Ph.D.
Former President, Colgate University and American University of Cairo
Former Chancellor, Alabama, Oregon and New York State University Systems
Member, Board of Trustees, American University of Cairo

Jawad Behbehani, DMD, D.M.Sc.OB, FICD
Associate Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University
Former President, Kuwait Association of Dental Research
Former Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University

Ms. May Y. Ben-Essa
General Manager, Omer Bey Stores, Kuwait
General Manager, Al-Bayan Bilingual School, Kuwait

Dr. Ameenah Rajab Farhan 
Vice Dean for Research, Faculty of Science Kuwait University 
Ms. Ann Z. Kerr
Fulbright Coordinator, UCLA International Institute, Los Angeles
Member, Board of Trustees, American University of Beirut

Mr. Samer Khanachet
Chief Operating Officer, KIPCO

Walid Moubarak, Ph.D.
Chair, Social Science and Education Division, Lebanese American University

Adnan Shihab-Eldin, Ph.D. 
Advisor, Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former OPEC Secretary General

Marina Tolmacheva, Ph.D.
President
 

Front row: (Left to right) Dana Al Sabah, May Ben Essa, Nabeela Al Mulla, Marina Tolmacheva
back row: (Left to right) Adnan Shihab El-Din, Walid Moubarak, Thomas Bartlett, Wael Abdul-Ghafoor, Meshal Ali

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the President of the American University of Kuwait
 

A view of the restaurant where the dinner took place
 

Dr. Carol Ross, Dean of Student Affairs
 

Dr. Gholam Vatandoust was among the faculty that was honored
 

Another faculty member Ms. Kimberly Suffi is being honored

The MUNAUK team participated in the Bahrain Annual MUN conference, held on Nov. 29-30, winning several awards and honorary mentions. As a result, the American University of Kuwait is regarded as a successful participant at this conference and will surely be so for years to come.

Norah Al-Hilaly and Abdulaziz Al-Mossalem have both been presented with the Diplomacy Award, the highest possible mark of distinction given to participants. Furthermore, Yousef Al-Kandari, Dalal Al-Sharhan and Nada Al-Hudaid received honorary mentions for positively contributing to the atmosphere of debate. Moreover, Mustafa Abu Hawilli and Hala Al-Qabandi received secondary honorary mentions. The conference allowed students to develop their debating, negotiating and diplomacy skills.

President of MUNAUK student Abdulaziz Safi Al-Mutawa made sure the delegation arrived to the conference prepared with long hours spent training and debating. Also, the professors that accompanied the students, Dr. Christopher Ohan and Dr. Conerly Casey, provided a tremendous amount of support and encouragement. 

On another note, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sheikh Azzam Al-Sabah, made a notable appearance at the conference and met the delegates. He encouraged all Kuwaiti youth to take advantage of such opportunities, to make practical use of their education.

The Model United Nations at the American University of Kuwait provides an educational co-curricular simulation event for students of all ages. MUNAUK seeks to enhance leadership, communication, and debate among its participants. Through representing a variety of political positions in various inter-governmental organizations, a diverse student body will learn to negotiate and resolve socio-political issues and will assimilate their distinct academic backgrounds in their venture. MUNAUK strives to provide the younger generation with the tools to comprehend their international world in its past, present, and future.

 

MUNAUK team with Dr. Christopher Ohan
 

MUNAUK team with Sheikh Azzam Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain with Dr. Conerly Casey(left) and Dr. Christopher Ohan(right).

The American University of Kuwait held its Annual Social Awareness Week, where each day focused on a specific social awareness topic. Events surrounding the week provided students with the chance to obtain knowledge on social responsibility issues, learn to make socially responsible decisions, establish positive networks and encourage involvement with key organizations in Kuwait.

Each day concentrated on a specific social awareness topic, including Community Service Day, Environment Day, Global Day, Traffic Awareness Day, and Corporate Social Responsibility Day. Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sumait spoke on behalf of Direct Aid Society on the opening day, and Mrs. Fareah Al-Saqqaf of LoYAC gave a presentation titled, 'Helping Youth Find Their Sense of Purpose'. Environment day hosted Mr. Khalil Khodr who presented 'Recycle to Complete the Cycle', encouraging everyone to contribute to the environment, while Global Day saw Kuwait United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Valerie Cliff give insight on the UNDP in Kuwait, some of the programs and main issues as well as the structure. Corporate Social Responsibility Day welcomed KIPCO representative, Ms. Abeer Al-Omar, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communication Department, who spoke about KIPCO owning up to its social responsibility by raising awareness regarding dyslexia in Kuwait.

The week also allowed for fundraising to be donated to the Direct Aid Society. Over 295 KD was raised via fundraising and donations. There were also paintings sold through 'The One' art gallery with proceeds of 144KD going to charity.

Participation in these days included many Kuwait organizations such as Rekaaz Campaign, Direct Aid Society, LoYAC, the Environment Public Authority, Metal & Recycling Co., UNHCR, Kuwait UN Country Team, Ministry of Interior, and Agility. Along with the Office of Student Life, several AUK student organizations contributed to the success of Social Awareness Week including Student Government Association, Cooperation Club, Goodwill Club, Spades Club, Entrepreneurship and Business Club, Drama Club, and the Community Service Club.

About The Office of Student Life at the American University of Kuwait - The Office of Student Life's mission is to create a campus environment that engages students with lifelong learning opportunities outside the classroom which provide personal, professional, ethical, and intellectual growth. 

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. The lanuage of instruction is English. AUK and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA) have worked closley together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding. More information on Dartmouth College can be found at www.dartmouth.edu.
 

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sumait
 

A view of the audience
 

Mrs. Fareah Al-Saqqaf of LoYAC gave a presentation titled, 'Helping Youth Find Their Sense of Purpose'
 

Mr. Khalil Khodr

The American University of Kuwait's 'Women and Literature' class, taught by Professor Rawda Awwad welcomed famed Kuwaiti author Leila Al-Uthman, giving the students a rare opportunity to personally meet the author of books they had analyzed in class.

Al-Uthman has been writing for over 40 years and hopes 'to write for a good many more years too'. Author of books such as 'The Silent Butterflies,' a novel, and short stories like 'The Picture', as well as experimental texts in Arabic, and an active member of the local writer's guild, Al-Uthman's writing was deemed controversial at times, forcing her to go to court on several occasions.

While addressing the class she said that meeting with the author of something you've read may either hugely disappoint or further interest you in their writing. 'What the author writes of does not often perfectly relate to the nature of the author, their behavior, and so on,' she added. She also explained that it was ultimately better to be the author who expresses the feelings and captures the experiences at the heart of the Arab streets, that of the real people, and not those of philosophers in ivory towers. 

Al-Uthman donated copies of most of her publications, the novels and short story collections alike, to the AUK Library, hoping that interested students may understand her thoughts as one Arab woman writing in Kuwait, and become more familiar with the body of literature produced by local artists and authors.

Written by Nur Soliman and edited by the AUK PR & Marketing Department

The Gulf Studies Center and the American Corner held a discussion titled 'A Nuclear Gulf?' at the American University of Kuwait where speakers tackled the idea of a nuclear Iran. The discussion hosted four speakers, each representing a key player. Adjunct Professor of International Studies Shareefa Al-Adwani gave a brief explanation of the immediate and long-lasting effects of nuclear weapons, as well as the effects and implications of a nuclear weapons program in a neighboring country. Visiting Associate Professor of International Relations Dr. Gholamreza Vatandoust presented Iran's case, and provided his audience with an insightful look at how Iran percieves itself, the Middle East, as well as the West. Assistant Professor of International Studies Dr. D. Roman Kulchitsky explained America's stance and some of the history that has formed today's American foreign policy with regards to Iran. Finally, Assistant Professor of International Studies and Director of the Gulf Studies Center Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi described the Gulf regions' attitude towards Iran, by giving a concise historical anaylsis of the dynamic between the Gulf and Iran. Dr. Al-Awadi focussed on the paradoxical relationship between the Gulf and Iran and the difference in thought that exists between governments and people.

The discussion, which took place at the Liberal Arts Auditorium on November 19, aimed at providing the audience with a comprehensive look at a pressing regional issue. The choice of speakers provided a well-rounded discussion.