AUK Alums Successfully Complete MOOC Course

On January 9th, the American Corner at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) Library hosted a ceremony to honor the very first group to complete a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The course was entitled "21st Century American Foreign Policy" and was offered by Dr. Bruce Jentleson of Duke University. Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, AUK Interim President, Dr. Lisa Heilbronn, the Counselor for Public Affairs at the Embassy of the United States of America, and Dr. Gholamreza Vatandoust, an Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations, attended the ceremony.

Ms. Asma Al-Kanan, Library Director and the Coordinator of American Corner Activities, welcomed everyone and spoke of what has been achieved over the past few months, emphasizing the importance of continuing education and the potential MOOCs offer to revolutionize the world of academia. She then invited Farah Al-Shamali, one of the graduates who completed the online course and managed the group, to speak about the experience on behalf of herself and her colleagues. She explained that this was a rare opportunity - to be given a chance to create a new knowledge base instead of simply taking in information already accepted as such. Also, participating in discussion threads on varied issues with students around the world proved to be an enlightening experience.

The three AUK alumni; Radia Al-Afili, Dalal Marafie and Farah Al-Shamali, were presented with certificates to signify their successful accomplishment. President Nizar Hamzeh expressed his pride in the alumni who participated, and in AUK offering such opportunities that encourage critical thinking and urges other AUK students and graduates to follow in their footsteps.