AUK Graduates Class of 2023

AUK held its graduation commencement for the class of 2023 on Wednesday, 21st June conferring the degrees on 340 graduates—142 of which were from the College of Arts and Sciences, 103 from the College of Business and Economics, and 95 from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Amongst the 2023 cohort, 10 graduates were awarded highest honors (summa cum laude), 23 awarded high honors (magna cum laude), and 27 awarded honors (cum laude).

Held at The Arena Kuwait (TAK) , the graduation ceremony was attended by Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, founder and chair of AUK's Board of Trustees, members of the AUK board of trustees, diplomats, dignitaries, and families of this year's graduates. 

Following the national anthem and the Holy Quran recitation, AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad gave a speech where she reflected upon the values graduates cultivated during their time at AUK, “You have acquired the value of perseverance in the face of challenges, the power of collaboration and empathy, and the importance of critical thinking and lifelong learning. As you now take this step into the world, please remember these lessons, make them your friends, and carry them with you as guiding principles. Be courageous in pursuing your dreams, compassionate in your interactions, and ethical in your decisions.”

This year’s keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, head of the Kuwait Olympic Committee and AUK alumnus from the class of 2014. In his address, he inspired the graduates to pursue continuous learning, “You are all full of so much potential and you can do whatever you want. The choices are yours and some may surprise you. It is simple: learn and grow—this lesson took me years to learn despite having it modeled all around me. Finally, take a few breaths, enjoy this summer — you’ve earned it.”

Following the keynote address, AUK’s dean of student affairs, Ms. Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq announced the class valedictorian, Amal Kahwaji, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a 3.99 GPA. During her undergraduate years, she was the secretary of the Marketing Club and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. 

During her speech, Amal addressed her peers and acknowledged the pivotal role failures could play  in shaping one’s achievements. “Today, I hope we celebrate our journey as a whole. Because while today may be a beautiful shining milestone celebrating all that has gone right, we must also celebrate all that has gone wrong that brought us to this point. Ultimately this path has been one of learning and growth and I hope after today we can walk away with the confidence to celebrate not just our victories but our failures as well. I hope the lessons we’ve learned here will prepare us to take on the next phase of our lives.” 

The event then proceeded to the part of the ceremony most anticipated by the students—the distribution of their earned degrees. Upon the recommendations of the deans—Dr. Ali Charara, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Ralph Palliam, dean of the College of Business and Economics; and Dr. Mohamed El-Abd, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, President Awwad conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees. The graduates were then awarded their diplomas by President Awwad and respective college deans.

In keeping with the academic tradition, the graduates were requested to shift their tassels from right to left, thereby marking their official graduation from AUK. As the ceremony drew to its conclusion, the graduating class celebrated the occasion and took photos with their parents.

AUK is a prestigious institution renowned for its commitment to academic excellence. Offering a diverse range of accredited undergraduate programs, the campus fosters collaboration and cultural diversity. AUK's state-of-the-art facilities include modern classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technology and research laboratories, and students also enjoy recreational facilities such as the gymnasium and lounge. AUK is dedicated to empowering students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that transcend the classroom, shaping future leaders and change-makers.

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) currently offers 16-degree programs in various academic disciplines. AUK received its institutional accreditation from the Private Universities Council (PUC) in Kuwait in 2006. The College of Business & Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB); the College of Arts and Sciences is accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE); its Bachelor of Arts in Design (concentration in graphic design) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); and the Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA); the Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).  The Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. 
 
 
 

 
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