News
01, Mar 2010
AUK Inaugurates Members of Sigma Tau Delta
Eight American University of Kuwait students were inducted into Sigma Tau Delta on February 18th, the American-based international honor society promoting excellence in the study of English. Joining the ranks of over 750 internationally active chapters, the Alpha Rho Eta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at AUK became the first chapter to be established in the Middle East.
The induction welcomed family members of the eight students receiving their membership pins and certificates from Sigma Tau Delta and words of encouragement, congratulations and guidance from the AUK administration and faculty. During the course of the ceremony Dr. Tim Sullivan, AUK's Interim President, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Dr. Craig Loomis, Division Head of Humanities & Arts offered brief remarks. After the traditional distribution of pins and certificates, Nuha Al-Fadli, Sigma Tau Delta President, concluded the night by thanking families and instructors for their support and dedication, and for fostering an environment of free critical, cultural, and intellectual exchange. It is through this combined effort that the inductees are prepared to uphold the Sigma Tau Delta's motto of "sincerity, truth and design."
To become honor society members, AUK students had to earn above a 3.1 GPA in upper level courses in English literature and be recommended by their professors as students who represent the best in scholarship and honor at AUK.
As one of the newest chapters in Sigma Tau Delta, the Alpha Rho Eta chapter at AUK is committed to excellence in the discipline of English and takes its responsibility of being a "first" in the Middle East seriously. Seeking to embrace that responsibility, the members plan to host an event that celebrates literature at AUK and to deliver a panel presentation in the United States.
In March, some of the AUK English honor society will present a panel at the 2010 Sigma Tau Delta convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Entitled Sand, Camels, Oil and Shakespeare: Reconciling our Arabian Gulf Identity with Studying English Literature, AUK's panel will take a comparative, intercultural, interdisciplinary approach to our experience as literature majors in the Middle East. In weaving literary theory, anthropological research, and cultural studies, members will demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and leadership skills AUK students manage to acquire while remaining sensitive to regional and cultural restrictions. Through this exciting academic experience, the presenters wish to shatter some of the misconceptions that enshroud Gulf countries and raise greater awareness to the unique position their citizens occupy as both members of the Muslim society and larger global community. Hence, they will seek to modify current academic and political discourse that centers on the Middle East.
In addition to educating convention attendees, the participants will also have the opportunity to meet internationally renowned writers such as Chris Abani, author of Song for Night and Graceland, Judith Ortiz Cofer, author of The Meaning of Consuelo and Li-Young Lee, author of The Winged Seed: A Rememberance and The City in Which I Love You.
Before traveling to the United States, the Sigma Tau Delta members will share their passion for literature and the arts with the larger AUK community by hosting a read-in in an Arabic setting. They will invite AUK students, faculty and staff to read from Chris Abani, author of Song for Night in a simple tribute to the magical quality of the written word.
While Sigma Tau Delta is a new organization at AUK, it holds great potential for its members and the larger AUK community. When asked about her experience, Nuha Al-Fadli stated, "It is truly a privilege to belong to such a prestigious and intellectually stimulating organization. We all have great hopes for Sigma Tau Delta. I am sure our chapter will bring unique ideas and exciting events to both AUK and Sigma Tau Delta."
Sigma Tau Delta Faculty Advisor
Dr. Kathy Nixon
Sigma Tau Delta Officers:
President: Nuha Al-Fadli
Vice President: Fatema Al-Haji
Secretary: Alia Aref
Treasurer: Amnah Ibraheem
Sigma Tau Delta Members:
Nur Soliman
Kawther Sadeq
Dana Al-Failakawi
Mohammed Hassan
View More
The induction welcomed family members of the eight students receiving their membership pins and certificates from Sigma Tau Delta and words of encouragement, congratulations and guidance from the AUK administration and faculty. During the course of the ceremony Dr. Tim Sullivan, AUK's Interim President, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Dr. Craig Loomis, Division Head of Humanities & Arts offered brief remarks. After the traditional distribution of pins and certificates, Nuha Al-Fadli, Sigma Tau Delta President, concluded the night by thanking families and instructors for their support and dedication, and for fostering an environment of free critical, cultural, and intellectual exchange. It is through this combined effort that the inductees are prepared to uphold the Sigma Tau Delta's motto of "sincerity, truth and design."
To become honor society members, AUK students had to earn above a 3.1 GPA in upper level courses in English literature and be recommended by their professors as students who represent the best in scholarship and honor at AUK.
As one of the newest chapters in Sigma Tau Delta, the Alpha Rho Eta chapter at AUK is committed to excellence in the discipline of English and takes its responsibility of being a "first" in the Middle East seriously. Seeking to embrace that responsibility, the members plan to host an event that celebrates literature at AUK and to deliver a panel presentation in the United States.
In March, some of the AUK English honor society will present a panel at the 2010 Sigma Tau Delta convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Entitled Sand, Camels, Oil and Shakespeare: Reconciling our Arabian Gulf Identity with Studying English Literature, AUK's panel will take a comparative, intercultural, interdisciplinary approach to our experience as literature majors in the Middle East. In weaving literary theory, anthropological research, and cultural studies, members will demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and leadership skills AUK students manage to acquire while remaining sensitive to regional and cultural restrictions. Through this exciting academic experience, the presenters wish to shatter some of the misconceptions that enshroud Gulf countries and raise greater awareness to the unique position their citizens occupy as both members of the Muslim society and larger global community. Hence, they will seek to modify current academic and political discourse that centers on the Middle East.
In addition to educating convention attendees, the participants will also have the opportunity to meet internationally renowned writers such as Chris Abani, author of Song for Night and Graceland, Judith Ortiz Cofer, author of The Meaning of Consuelo and Li-Young Lee, author of The Winged Seed: A Rememberance and The City in Which I Love You.
Before traveling to the United States, the Sigma Tau Delta members will share their passion for literature and the arts with the larger AUK community by hosting a read-in in an Arabic setting. They will invite AUK students, faculty and staff to read from Chris Abani, author of Song for Night in a simple tribute to the magical quality of the written word.
While Sigma Tau Delta is a new organization at AUK, it holds great potential for its members and the larger AUK community. When asked about her experience, Nuha Al-Fadli stated, "It is truly a privilege to belong to such a prestigious and intellectually stimulating organization. We all have great hopes for Sigma Tau Delta. I am sure our chapter will bring unique ideas and exciting events to both AUK and Sigma Tau Delta."
Sigma Tau Delta Faculty Advisor
Dr. Kathy Nixon
Sigma Tau Delta Officers:
President: Nuha Al-Fadli
Vice President: Fatema Al-Haji
Secretary: Alia Aref
Treasurer: Amnah Ibraheem
Sigma Tau Delta Members:
Nur Soliman
Kawther Sadeq
Dana Al-Failakawi
Mohammed Hassan
A group photo of the ceremony attendees
24, Feb 2010
AUK's Business Division earns Eduniversal Recognition
The Division of Business and Economics at the American University of Kuwait has been awarded a coveted third Palm from Eduniversal for being an "excellent business school, nationally strong with continental links."
Eduniversal is the first international organization to offer a truly universal perspective on higher education. Eduniversal offers a unique service providing students, professionals, HR executives and academic officers with a global panorama of the best educational opportunities.
Eduniversal spent a tremendous amount of time researching and compiling a comprehensive study of over 4000 websites to select the best 1000 business schools and then to award a selection of those universities with a 3 Palms Award.
Eduniversal's International Scientific Committee is responsible for the official selection of business schools and is composed of 12 members. It has established a global mapping system meeting the criteria of universality and the international reputation of each academic institution. Each country and each continent is represented according to a quota method. The number per country is weighted by quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Eduniversal is the first international organization to offer a truly universal perspective on higher education. Eduniversal offers a unique service providing students, professionals, HR executives and academic officers with a global panorama of the best educational opportunities.
Eduniversal spent a tremendous amount of time researching and compiling a comprehensive study of over 4000 websites to select the best 1000 business schools and then to award a selection of those universities with a 3 Palms Award.
Eduniversal's International Scientific Committee is responsible for the official selection of business schools and is composed of 12 members. It has established a global mapping system meeting the criteria of universality and the international reputation of each academic institution. Each country and each continent is represented according to a quota method. The number per country is weighted by quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Professor Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences presenting the 3 Palms award to Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, Head of the Division of Business and Economics of the Official Selection at a faculty meeting AUK's Campus
Showing
10 Articles
of 1461
23, Feb 2010
AUK Students Win 1st and 3rd in UN HABITAT Writing Competition
Courtesy of UN HABITAT
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme Office for Arab Cities in Kuwait announced the winners for the 2010 Writing Competition entitled "Cities, Climate Change and Youth" organized in cooperation with the Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LOYAC). First place went to Ms. Shaha Bader Al-Munaifi of the American University of Kuwait, second place went to Ms. Samah Muhammad Khalid at Box Hill College Kuwait and third place went to Mr. Nasser Sharaf Al-Ajmi at the American University of Kuwait.
Dr. Tarek El Sheikh Chief of UN HABITAT Kuwait Office confirmed that the judging of the submitted essays was conducted with full transparency and neutrality. This expert panel was comprised of the following personalities: Dr. Manaf Behbehani of the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Omar Khattab, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture in the College of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University, Dr. Ali Khuraibet, General Manager of ECO Environmental Consultant, Ms. Faten Al-Mussalam, Director of the Environmental Strategy Office in the Environment Public Authority for the State of Kuwait, Sandra Al-Saleh, Managing Partner of Equilibrium, Mr. Abdulatif Al-Mishari and Ms. Alya Al-Hamad who served as youth representatives for LOYAC youth organization, UN HABITAT's organizing partner for the event panel, and Dr. Samira Omar Asem, Division Director of the Food Resources and Marine Sciences Division at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. Dr. Tarek El-Sheikh and Ms. Fareah Al-Saqqaf, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of LOYAC served as observers to the event.
The office announced the competition in mid-November and received many contributions from young people studying at universities in Arab countries regardless of their nationality and this indicates a high level of awareness among youth in Arab universities and an eagerness to participate in the human development and urban development of cities. The impact of climate change takes place in cities, towns and villages. They in turn have the greatest impact on climate change. At the same time, cities present a great potential for implementation of innovative climate change measures.
Dr. Tarek El Sheikh, Chief of the UN HABITAT Office, acknowledged the role and efforts of the expert panel and thanked them for their contributions in the deliberation talks, noting their neutrality, professionalism and transparency.
Victoria Wisniewski Otero, contest coordinator of the program, stated "the United Nations Human Settlements Programme recognizes young people as key stakeholders and active participants in the future of human settlements in order to ensure a brighter urban future for our planet. We must have local solutions to offset global disasters. The youth are some of the people who will be most affected by climate change. At the same time, it's been demonstrated that young individuals can serve as influential change agents in their communities, something that has been verified by the results of this contest."
Dr. Tarek El Sheikh said "It is wonderful to see two Kuwaitis among the top three winners."
The first place winner, Shaha Bader Al Munaifi, will attend the United Nations World Urban Youth Assembly in Rio de Janeiro from March 19-20, 2010 as a guest of the UNITED NATIONS and will get the opportunity to discuss with youth from all over the world the existing urban challenges as well as being received by the Executive Director of UN HABITAT. The runner-ups will receive a certificate of achievement from the UN HABITAT Office, with the possibility to publish their research on our website.
Dr. Tarek El Sheikh appealed to young people in Arab cities to get involved in the events and activities organized by the UN Programme for Human Settlements and said "young people are key to their society and on their shoulders rests a great responsibility for the development and progress of all nations. This can be achieved only through full awareness of issues concerning their city in order to be fully prepared to address the challenges associated with urbanization through scientific research to offer realistic solutions."
04, Feb 2010
AUK Hosts Graphic Design Exhibition
The American University of Kuwait's Graphic Design Senior Thesis Exhibition held its Opening Reception on Saturday, January 23rd whereby senior graphic design students displayed their work for the public. The goal of the exhibit was to broaden the reach of the effects and beauty of this undervalued art and have students express what they learned from their experiences. Professor Marcella Kulchitsky, Instructor of the senior design portfolio class, said that students were required to create completely new projects for themselves. She said that they had to produce a project about something they are passionate about and research new topics instead of using old subjects. She continued by saying the project had to present a clear meaning to the public as a form of visual communication, not just a type of advertising language. Graphic design is a broad field and can be invested in greatly with great benefit by any company that wants to rebrand or introduce a new product or idea she concluded. The three students whose work was displayed are Rasha Al-Najar, Amina Al-Azabi and Fajer Khaled.
Senior student Rasha Al-Najar said the project's theme was the number seven, but that it was also an independent study. Students had to work on their own project and the instructor was available for supervision and guidance. Al-Najar expressed her thoughts on the number seven by using the seven colors of the rainbow in a walk through display. Her exhibit captures every color and its relationship with each consecutive color. She added that the art of graphic design is getting more acceptance now than ever before and that job openings seem promising.
Amina Al-Azabi said that she is looking forward to graduating from the graphic design program in a couple of days, adding that what she learned in her classes will stay with her for a long time. Her project took three months and features a simple and elegant interactive method of accumulating visual communication. Her project presents a sarcastic, yet effective solutions to the seven most pressing pollution problems facing our world today.
At the end of the exhibition, both the students and their professors agreed that visual communication and graphic design are strong tools of communication that affects us daily. Kuwait has yet to grasp the true abilities of this field but is well on its way.
By: Abdulla Al-Qattan
Article Courtesy of Kuwait Times
Senior student Rasha Al-Najar said the project's theme was the number seven, but that it was also an independent study. Students had to work on their own project and the instructor was available for supervision and guidance. Al-Najar expressed her thoughts on the number seven by using the seven colors of the rainbow in a walk through display. Her exhibit captures every color and its relationship with each consecutive color. She added that the art of graphic design is getting more acceptance now than ever before and that job openings seem promising.
Amina Al-Azabi said that she is looking forward to graduating from the graphic design program in a couple of days, adding that what she learned in her classes will stay with her for a long time. Her project took three months and features a simple and elegant interactive method of accumulating visual communication. Her project presents a sarcastic, yet effective solutions to the seven most pressing pollution problems facing our world today.
At the end of the exhibition, both the students and their professors agreed that visual communication and graphic design are strong tools of communication that affects us daily. Kuwait has yet to grasp the true abilities of this field but is well on its way.
By: Abdulla Al-Qattan
Article Courtesy of Kuwait Times
Senior student Rasha Al-Najar & her project
Rasha Al-Najar, Amina Al-Azabi with Professor Marcella Kulchitsky
Fajer Khaled and her project
More images from the exhibition "7"
31, Jan 2010
AUK's Fulbrighters
The Gulf Studies Center at AUK is hosting all of the Fulbrighters to Kuwait. The Fulbright program is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced academic research and university teaching. There are two Fulbright Students, Anne Hamilton and Jessica Cussano.
Anne Hamilton
Anne Hamilton is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until October 2010. Anne also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Northeast Thailand from 2003-2006 as a development consultant. In the summer of 2007, Anne received a research grant to work as a consultant to Al-Zahraa Women's Organization in Sakhnin. She holds an MA in Comparative Studies from American University in Washington, D.C. She is originally from Memphis, Tennessee.
Anne's research focus is the political development of Kuwait, in particular, the evolution of the interpellation (istajwab) process as a democratic mechanism by which the National Assembly is able to check executive authority. Her research asks how has the interpellation process evolved overtime and what are the main impediments to its full functioning as a democratic mechanism? She is concerned that little attention has been paid to analyzing successful quasi-democratic experiments in the Middle East, such as that of Kuwait, and that "democracy" is defined too narrowly in U.S. policy circles. Upon her return to the U.S., Anne plans to work in Washington as a consultant for the Democracy and Governance arm of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Jessica Cussano
Jessica Cussano is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until October 2010. Anne was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Boston College in May 2009 with a BA in Islamic Civilizations and Societies. Jessica studied abroad at the American University of Cairo 2007-2008 academic year and received a Critical Language Enhancement Award from the US State Department to study Arabic in Jordan in Fall 2009.
Jessica's research is on the role of the four recently elected women in Parliament and the effects of the women's subcommittee in the Parliament. She is also interested in studying the reaction to the four female members' participation in Parliament from other members.
During the Fall semester, the GSC hosted a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Souad Ali, and three Fulbright Students; Justin Dargin, Ayesha Bakali and Christina Koningisor.
Dr. Souad Ali
Dr. Souad Ali is a U.S. Fulbright Scholar based at the American University of Kuwait until June 2010. She is Head of Classics and Middle Studies, Professor of Arabic, Middle East & Islamic Studies in the School of International Letters and Cultures at Arizona State University. She is currently a Fulbright Scholar conducting research and lecturing "Arab Society and Culture". One of her publications include her recent book, A Religion, Not A State: Ali 'Abd al-Raziq's Islamic Justification of Political Secularism (University of Utah Press, 2009).
Justin Dargin
Justin Dargin is a Research Fellow with The Dubai Initiative and a Fulbright Scholar of the Middle East. Justin joined AUK in July and stayed until August, 2009. He is a specialist in International Law and Energy Law, and a prolific author on energy affairs. He specializes in carbon trading, the global oil and gas market, the legal framework surrounding the Gulf energy sector, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. He is the author of "The Dolphin Project: The Development of a Gulf Gas Initiative" (OIES Press Jan. 2008), and the author of a forthcoming book, entitled "Desert Dreams: The Quest for Gulf Integration from the Arab Revolt to the Gulf Cooperation Council" (forthcoming early 2010).
Ayesha Bakali
Ayesha Bakali is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until April 2010. Ayesha graduated from Georgetown University in 2008, earning a B.A. in Arabic & Islamic Studies. Her research focuses on Kuwait's awqaf system, the traditional Islamic endowment system, which once played a major contributing role to societies in early Islamic Civilization. She is interested in how awqaf systems developed vibrant civil societies and supported various institutions such as schools, mosques, hospitals, orphanages, etc. from all major sectors of society.
Christina Koningisor
Christina Koningisor is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until June 2010. She graduated in May, 2007 from Brown University, where she majored in International Relations. Christina is currently working on a research project investigating the political role of women in Kuwait, focusing more specifically on the way in which recent legislative advances have affected perceptions of women as both voters and political leaders.
Anne Hamilton
Anne Hamilton is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until October 2010. Anne also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Northeast Thailand from 2003-2006 as a development consultant. In the summer of 2007, Anne received a research grant to work as a consultant to Al-Zahraa Women's Organization in Sakhnin. She holds an MA in Comparative Studies from American University in Washington, D.C. She is originally from Memphis, Tennessee.
Anne's research focus is the political development of Kuwait, in particular, the evolution of the interpellation (istajwab) process as a democratic mechanism by which the National Assembly is able to check executive authority. Her research asks how has the interpellation process evolved overtime and what are the main impediments to its full functioning as a democratic mechanism? She is concerned that little attention has been paid to analyzing successful quasi-democratic experiments in the Middle East, such as that of Kuwait, and that "democracy" is defined too narrowly in U.S. policy circles. Upon her return to the U.S., Anne plans to work in Washington as a consultant for the Democracy and Governance arm of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Jessica Cussano
Jessica Cussano is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until October 2010. Anne was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Boston College in May 2009 with a BA in Islamic Civilizations and Societies. Jessica studied abroad at the American University of Cairo 2007-2008 academic year and received a Critical Language Enhancement Award from the US State Department to study Arabic in Jordan in Fall 2009.
Jessica's research is on the role of the four recently elected women in Parliament and the effects of the women's subcommittee in the Parliament. She is also interested in studying the reaction to the four female members' participation in Parliament from other members.
During the Fall semester, the GSC hosted a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Souad Ali, and three Fulbright Students; Justin Dargin, Ayesha Bakali and Christina Koningisor.
Dr. Souad Ali
Dr. Souad Ali is a U.S. Fulbright Scholar based at the American University of Kuwait until June 2010. She is Head of Classics and Middle Studies, Professor of Arabic, Middle East & Islamic Studies in the School of International Letters and Cultures at Arizona State University. She is currently a Fulbright Scholar conducting research and lecturing "Arab Society and Culture". One of her publications include her recent book, A Religion, Not A State: Ali 'Abd al-Raziq's Islamic Justification of Political Secularism (University of Utah Press, 2009).
Justin Dargin
Justin Dargin is a Research Fellow with The Dubai Initiative and a Fulbright Scholar of the Middle East. Justin joined AUK in July and stayed until August, 2009. He is a specialist in International Law and Energy Law, and a prolific author on energy affairs. He specializes in carbon trading, the global oil and gas market, the legal framework surrounding the Gulf energy sector, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. He is the author of "The Dolphin Project: The Development of a Gulf Gas Initiative" (OIES Press Jan. 2008), and the author of a forthcoming book, entitled "Desert Dreams: The Quest for Gulf Integration from the Arab Revolt to the Gulf Cooperation Council" (forthcoming early 2010).
Ayesha Bakali
Ayesha Bakali is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until April 2010. Ayesha graduated from Georgetown University in 2008, earning a B.A. in Arabic & Islamic Studies. Her research focuses on Kuwait's awqaf system, the traditional Islamic endowment system, which once played a major contributing role to societies in early Islamic Civilization. She is interested in how awqaf systems developed vibrant civil societies and supported various institutions such as schools, mosques, hospitals, orphanages, etc. from all major sectors of society.
Christina Koningisor
Christina Koningisor is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow based at the American University of Kuwait until June 2010. She graduated in May, 2007 from Brown University, where she majored in International Relations. Christina is currently working on a research project investigating the political role of women in Kuwait, focusing more specifically on the way in which recent legislative advances have affected perceptions of women as both voters and political leaders.
20, Jan 2010
Spanish Embassy Donates to AUK Library
The American University of Kuwait held a special event on Sunday, January 17, where the Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait, his Excellency Manuel Gomez de Valenzuela, in conjunction with the Spanish Ministry of Education, kindly donated a collection of Spanish books to the AUK library. The selection ranged from geography and history books, to masterpieces of Spanish literature.
Students, faculty and staff will benefit from the books' inclusion in the growing library collection and most importantly, these texts will encourage the growing interest at AUK in the language and culture of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world.
The event was attended by AUK President, Dr. Tim Sullivan, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, the Director of the Library, Mrs. Amna Al Omare, the Spanish instructors Florence Gillier-Pagenaud and Teresa De Quesada as well as a number of faculty and staff of the AUK community.
Students, faculty and staff will benefit from the books' inclusion in the growing library collection and most importantly, these texts will encourage the growing interest at AUK in the language and culture of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world.
The event was attended by AUK President, Dr. Tim Sullivan, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, the Director of the Library, Mrs. Amna Al Omare, the Spanish instructors Florence Gillier-Pagenaud and Teresa De Quesada as well as a number of faculty and staff of the AUK community.
Students, faculty and staff attended the event
Left to Right: Mrs. Amna Al Omare, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait, his Excellency Manuel Gomez de Valenzuela, Dr. Tim Sullivan, Miss Florence Gillier-Pagenaud and Miss Teresa De Quesada
17, Jan 2010
La Francophonie at AUK
AUK's Instructor of French Language, Joseph Fiannaca, and his students organized an event titled La Francophonie on January 14th, 2010 from 2 pm -5 pm at AUK's multipurpose room and the auditorium.
The aim was to give students the opportunity to practice French outside of the classroom with guests from francophone countries, and also to promote the French language and francophone cultures.
The event included a speech by the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, video presentations showing the influence of French cultural trademarks in Kuwaiti society, a poem recital, a French cultural quiz and an exhibition of Francophone countries. Even though most students are beginners in the French language, they put lots of effort, enthusiasm and creativity into making the exhibition interesting and entertaining. They wore traditional costumes, offered food samples, informed visitors on tourist sites and presented famous people from francophone countries.
La Francophonie usually refers to a group of people who speak French. It is also an international organization known as the OIF, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, composed of 63 states and governments where French is the mother or customary language, where a significant proportion of people are francophones (French speakers) and where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture. Every year in March, the OIF organizes an international day called La journee de la Francophonie to celebrate the French language. Last year the official celebration was held in Beirut.
For more information please contact Joseph Fiannaca at:
Tel: (965) 1802040 Ext. 414
Fax: (965) 2573 7039
E-mail: jfiannaca@auk.edu.kw
Useful Links:
www.francophonie.org
www.TV5.org
www.France24.org
The aim was to give students the opportunity to practice French outside of the classroom with guests from francophone countries, and also to promote the French language and francophone cultures.
The event included a speech by the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, video presentations showing the influence of French cultural trademarks in Kuwaiti society, a poem recital, a French cultural quiz and an exhibition of Francophone countries. Even though most students are beginners in the French language, they put lots of effort, enthusiasm and creativity into making the exhibition interesting and entertaining. They wore traditional costumes, offered food samples, informed visitors on tourist sites and presented famous people from francophone countries.
La Francophonie usually refers to a group of people who speak French. It is also an international organization known as the OIF, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, composed of 63 states and governments where French is the mother or customary language, where a significant proportion of people are francophones (French speakers) and where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture. Every year in March, the OIF organizes an international day called La journee de la Francophonie to celebrate the French language. Last year the official celebration was held in Beirut.
For more information please contact Joseph Fiannaca at:
Tel: (965) 1802040 Ext. 414
Fax: (965) 2573 7039
E-mail: jfiannaca@auk.edu.kw
Useful Links:
www.francophonie.org
www.TV5.org
www.France24.org
Mr Olivier Deseez, the cultural counselor of the French Embassy in Kuwait
Mr Olivier Deseez, Mrs. Farida Omar, attache for academic affairs and Joseph Fiannaca with AUK students at the the exhibition of Francophone countries
AUK's Instructor of French Language, Joseph Fiannaca, and his students
Miss Dominique Mallarde and Mr. Francois Teillet
Images from the exhibition of Francophone countries that was held at the AUK auditorium
13, Jan 2010
Arabian Heritage Project Gives Back to the Community
The Arabian Heritage Project (AHP), in partnership with the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islammiya, presented workshops on traditional Kuwaiti music and dance in December at the Al-Americani Cultural Center. Dozens of young people and children from the community participated as Arabian Heritage Project staff, students, and volunteers, worked with Dr. Lisa Urkevich, the Director of the AHP, to introduce these important age-old customs. The participants learned how to play Kuwaiti sea instruments, how to clap Kuwaiti "sharbuka," the young men danced the traditional "zeffan," and the young women learned about Bedouin celebration practices.
"It was wonderful to take part in teaching Kuwaiti youth and others from a variety of backgrounds about our heritage. This was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it so much!" said Noura Al-Shaya, one of the workshop leaders who worked closely with the participants. Manwa Yacoub an AHP volunteer concurred, "At first everyone was so shy, but then they came to life and we had so much fun. It was a pleasure for me to be able to help teach about our culture, especially because it was so appreciated." Sara Al-Hobail, added, "Everyone left with a smile. We look forward to helping with future AHP events." For more information, contact Dr. Urkevich at LUrkevich@auk.edu.kw or ArabianHeritage@auk.edu.kw
"It was wonderful to take part in teaching Kuwaiti youth and others from a variety of backgrounds about our heritage. This was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it so much!" said Noura Al-Shaya, one of the workshop leaders who worked closely with the participants. Manwa Yacoub an AHP volunteer concurred, "At first everyone was so shy, but then they came to life and we had so much fun. It was a pleasure for me to be able to help teach about our culture, especially because it was so appreciated." Sara Al-Hobail, added, "Everyone left with a smile. We look forward to helping with future AHP events." For more information, contact Dr. Urkevich at LUrkevich@auk.edu.kw or ArabianHeritage@auk.edu.kw
Images from the workshops
The team who presented the workshops at Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyya
07, Jan 2010
AUK Welcomes New President
The American University of Kuwait began the New Year by welcoming the new Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan came to AUK from the American University of Cairo (AUC) where he served in a wide variety of leadership roles including Provost from 1998 to 2008, and AUC's Acting President in 2001-2002. He is the author or co-author of several books, including The New Dynamics of Multilateralism (forthcoming in 2010 from Westview Press), Social Background and Bureaucratic Behavior in Egypt (American University of Cairo Press, 1990), Women in Egyptian Public Life (Syracuse University Press, 1986), and Women and Work in the Arab World (American University of Cairo Press, 1981). Sullivan's scholarly articles and monographs on a wide range of subjects, including multinational diplomacy and the foreign policy of U.S. President Bill Clinton, gender roles in the Middle East, and the United Nations in the post Cold War era, appear in numerous journals and publications.
AUK has also launched a comprehensive international search for AUK's third president. The search will be conducted with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller (IM), an internationally known executive search firm specializing in higher education and related fields. Dr. Sullivan will serve as interim President of AUK until the Presidential Search Committee locates a suitable candidate.
AUK has also launched a comprehensive international search for AUK's third president. The search will be conducted with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller (IM), an internationally known executive search firm specializing in higher education and related fields. Dr. Sullivan will serve as interim President of AUK until the Presidential Search Committee locates a suitable candidate.
Dr. Tim Sullivan
23, Dec 2009
AUK forms Business Advisory Board
The Business & Economics Division of the American University of Kuwait is honored to announce the formation of a Business Advisory Board.
The Division Advisory Board has been set-up to advise, promote and proactively support the interests of the Business & Economics Division of the American University of Kuwait. The intention is to improve the visibility and enhance the reputation of the Business & Economics Division in the Kuwaiti business community. The Division Advisory Board will help the American University of Kuwait achieve its mission of continuous improvement in providing quality undergraduate and graduate programming, resulting in graduates who possess the skills and abilities needed to excel as a professional in the Kuwaiti business community.
The Members of the Division Advisory Board are:
- Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout, Managing Partner, DLA Piper
- Mr. Tim Bullock, Managing Partner, Deloitte's.
- Mr. Robert Drolet, Senior Vice President, Technology & Media, KIPCO (Kuwait Projects Co.)
- Mr. Andrew Finch, Director Talent Management, Alghanim Industries
- Mr. Alawi Taqi, Chairman and CEO, IMC Co (Member of the KGL Group of Companies)
The Division Advisory Board has been set-up to advise, promote and proactively support the interests of the Business & Economics Division of the American University of Kuwait. The intention is to improve the visibility and enhance the reputation of the Business & Economics Division in the Kuwaiti business community. The Division Advisory Board will help the American University of Kuwait achieve its mission of continuous improvement in providing quality undergraduate and graduate programming, resulting in graduates who possess the skills and abilities needed to excel as a professional in the Kuwaiti business community.
The Members of the Division Advisory Board are:
- Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout, Managing Partner, DLA Piper
- Mr. Tim Bullock, Managing Partner, Deloitte's.
- Mr. Robert Drolet, Senior Vice President, Technology & Media, KIPCO (Kuwait Projects Co.)
- Mr. Andrew Finch, Director Talent Management, Alghanim Industries
- Mr. Alawi Taqi, Chairman and CEO, IMC Co (Member of the KGL Group of Companies)
A group photo of the attendees
A view of the meeting that was held to announce the formation of the Business Advisory Board
