Marina Tolmacheva AUK's Acting President

The American University of Kuwait (AUK), a private independent liberal arts institution, recently announced that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra had reached a mutual agreement not to renew his contract as University President. To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed as Acting President, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, Dean of the College of Arts and Science.

Sheikha Dana N. Al-Sabah, Chair of the AUK Board of Trustees, said "Dr. Ghabra was our founding president, a strong proponent of the philosophy of a liberal arts education; he has made an important and lasting contribution to the growth and development of AUK and was instrumental in establishing our relationship with Dartmouth College - a relationship that continues and endures."

Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra said in a statement sent to Faculty & Staff "While I am tremendously proud of the work we have accomplished together and have enjoyed working with everyone in this community, it is time for me to move on," adding that the time was right for AUK to enter into the kind of transition in leadership that is part of every healthy university's life cycle." Dr. Ghabra added "AUK will always have a place in my heart. I know that it will continue to grow and flourish and I wish you all success in your future growth, personal development, and academic endeavors."

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, a member of the AUK leadership team since January 2006, will continue in her role as Dean while serving as Acting President. Dr. Tolmacheva, Professor of History and past Directors of Asia Program at Washington University, is a specialist in Medieval Arab History and Islamic Civilization. Her research explores the works of Medieval Arab Geography travelers, among them the famous Ibn Battuta.

The American University of Kuwait is a liberal arts institution based on the American model of higher education. It is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, self-awareness, and personal growth experiences that can enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and respect for diversity. AUK seeks to create leaders and life-long learners who aspire to the highest standards of moral and ethical responsibility in their societies. The university opened in 2004 and will graduate its first class this spring.

Dartmouth College has signed a memorandum of understanding with AUK that has allowed the two institutions to initiate a series of advisory, consultative, and cooperative projects. Founded in 1769 in New Hampshire in the United States of America, Dartmouth is a private, undergraduate liberal arts college with graduate programs in the arts and sciences, medicine, engineering, and business. The agreement reflects AUK's commitment to creating the best in liberal arts education, drawing from the rich tradition and expertise of Dartmouth, and Dartmouth's recognition of the AUK commitment to quality.
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva AUK's Acting President