News

The Office of Student Life at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) held a Convocation Ceremony for the Class of 2014 on Wednesday September 29th, as part of AUK's Annual Orientation and Welcome Week festivities to greet new and returning students to campus. Convocation was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel where an estimated 250 students and guests were in attendance. As the counterpart to graduation, it serves as a rite of passage, entering into the AUK community. 

The ceremony hosted a number of keynote addresses regarding AUK's Motto Learn...Think...Become... These keynote addresses were given by AUK President Winfred Thompson, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Carol Ross. In addition, members of the Dean's Council and Faculty and a student leader were part of the ceremony and each represented and described key components and symbols representative of AUK including, the AUK Seal, Logo, Mascot, and Colors. The AUK Seal, as the significant symbol of the University, was described in even more detail reviewing all four major components of the Circle of Life including a Book, the Dhow, a Falcon, and the Torch. The ceremony concluded with the representation of the Torch, which stands for freedom and the passing of the light of knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next, and a candle lighting ceremony was held with AUK's First Year students participating. 

The Convocation Ceremony served as the pinnacle event for the Annual Orientation and Welcome Week Festivities mainly catering to First Year students. During this week, many events were put on to welcome all students to campus including a Welcome Back Barbeque and a Get Involved Fair. In addition, specific events were held to help First Year students get familiar with their surroundings including Convocation, "Meet Your Professor" Reception, Class Photo, and an off-campus event. This program promotes the unity of the AUK community and helps students in their transition into University life at AUK.
 

Damian Medina, Director of Student Life at AUK, welcomes the new students to the convocation ceremony
 

Dr. Russell holds the mace at the beginning of the Convocation
 

New AUK students
 

Student leader Fatima Haji gives a speech welcoming the new students
 

AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson gives a short welcome on behalf of the University
 

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

Division heads and faculty were part of the ceremony
 

Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross
 

The candle lighting ceremony led by both Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Carol Ross, the Dean of Student Affairs
 

New AUK students
 

Trevor Taylor, the University Sports Coordinator talks to an AUK student during the 'Get Involved Fair'
 

New students met with faculty members during the "Meet Your Professor" Reception
 

Welcome Back Barbeque was one of the events that were held during the orientation week
 

Various AUK clubs took part in the 'Get Involved Fair'
 

Various AUK clubs took part in the 'Get Involved Fair'
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Many activities were put together to welcome all students to campus
 

Many activities were put together to welcome all students to campus
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The American University of Kuwait faculty and staff assembled in the Multipurpose room on Tuesday September 28th to recognize the hard work and efforts and to say farewell to Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. Newly appointed AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson thanked Dr. Sullivan for his guidance during his tenure, and for assisting him during this transitional period. 

Dr. Sullivan then gave his heartfelt farewell speech where he thanked faculty and staff for making him feel welcome in Kuwait. Dr. Sullivan announced that although he will be leaving AUK as Interim President he has accepted an invitation to become a board member and so will remain as part of the AUK family.
 

Newly appointed AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson
 

Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan
 

Dr. Nizar Hamzeh Dean of Academic Affairs with Dr. Winfred Thompson & Dr. Tim Sullivan
 

A view of the audience
 

Dr. Sullivan giving a speech to the AUK community
 

Dr. Sullivan with some of the AUK faculty

The Kuwait Science Fair, the largest science competition founded by ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy, launched today the competition in its third run with continued support from the public and private sectors, to generate student interest and excitement in math and science and help inspire the scientists and innovators of tomorrow. 

The third annual Kuwait Science Fair competition is endorsed by HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Minister of Oil, Minister of Information, and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, for the third year in a row. Supporting the competition for the first time, HE the US Ambassador to Kuwait, Mrs. Deborah Jones, joined as its leading chief ambassador to support the efforts of the competition at large. 

Following two consecutive and successful years, the founders of the Kuwait Science Fair are joined by returning sponsors as well as new partners: 

Platinum sponsors for the second year in a row: 
•    Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) 
•    Kuwait United Facilities Management Company (KUFM) 
Gold sponsors: 
•    Information Technology Institute (ITI) 
Silver sponsors: 
•    The Scientific Center 
•    Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait 
•    Asnan Clinic 
Partners: 
•    American University of Kuwait (AUK) 
•    Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) 
•    Schlumberger Kuwait 
•    Arab International Industrial Projects Company (AIIP) 
HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said: "The Kuwait Science Fair continues to encourage students to innovate in math and science, engages them to learn and explore science fields and to apply what they have learned at school under the supervision of the Kuwait Science Fair team of professionals. We look forward to the participation of more students this year and we hope to see these talented students excel in math and science on an international level." 

HE The US Ambassador to Kuwait, Mrs. Deborah Jones, said: "The Kuwait Science Fair competition was founded on the vision of encouragement and support to engage students in science and math fields. The competition inspired many students looking forward to becoming innovators in fields of their interest. I've personally witnessed the excitement and anxiousness of these students as winners were announced last March. Many great and innovative projects were honored and recognized and many more were exhibited, showing that these students can excel and give their best when given the opportunity. Students will take our place in the world tomorrow, so it is important that we provide them with a platform to discover innovative solutions, and an opportunity to make their mark. I am proud to be a chief ambassador to the Kuwait Science Fair and I also look forward to support students in their journey to become the scientists of tomorrow." 

The Kuwait Science Fair activities:

The third Kuwait Science Fair competition will launch on October 10th, with a continued commitment to encouraging students from over 150 schools in Kuwait to innovate in math and science and to pursue careers in these fields. 

ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Kuwait Limited President, Mr. John Hoholick, said: "We launch another great and exciting competition this year, encouraging students to discover fields that witness a decrease in the number of professionals internationally. Back in 2008, ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy came together in a shared commitment to generate student interest in math and science and to encourage them to pursue careers in them. Our mission is to encourage each talented student to get excited about science and mathematics and pursue a long, exciting and rewarding career. What we've seen over the years is proof that students in Kuwait have great ambition and talent, and we need to encourage them to pursue and develop them. These students will be the future innovators of solutions to challenges we face today, and may face tomorrow. We look forward to another science adventure with students and we thank our partners for the support they continue to lend us." 

The five-month-long competition, held in both Arabic and English, is divided into two phases: a registration phase and an experimental phase. 

The registration phase starts with direct school visits, registration points, and one-on-one student sessions to help guide students through their application process, and the development of ideas for their experiments. After an initial review, the experimental phase starts with the "Best 100" projects continuing the development of their experiments and inventions until the final competition day. During the final days of the competition, projects are assessed by a judging panel comprising engineers, doctors, and science experts from Kuwait's most reputable organizations. Winners are finally announced in the final event ceremony. 

Valuable prizes to excelling students: 

This year, winners will be categorized by ranking, best in a category and special prizes winners. The first prize winner will receive a full scholarship in the bachelor degree of choice from the American University of Kuwait. AUK is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. AUK and its Ivy League partner Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA) have worked closley together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding. 

AUK President, Dr. Winfred Thompson said: "The Kuwait Science Fair is one of the few initiatives that unite students and schools from across Kuwait to excel in math and science. We are glad to present the first prize winner with a full scholarship to complete his, her, or their bachelor degree in one of the leading higher education institutions in Kuwait. We look forward to welcoming the most innovative and brilliant student or students to our university." 

The first and second prize winners will also receive an internship opportunity at Schlumberger, the leading oilfield services and technology companies in the world. The first prize winner will have an opportunity to choose from over 50 locations from around the world to complete the internship. 

The best projects in each of the four Kuwait Science Fair categories, namely biology, physics, earth studies and environmental studies, will also be awarded. 

The Arabic International Industrial Projects (AIIP) will be presenting a cash prize of KD650 to the student with the most creative project in the environmental science field, and KD450 to each student with the most creative project in the physics, biology, and earth science fields. 

Registration: The Kuwait Science Fair competition is open to all students in Kuwait between seventh and twelfth grade. Joining can be done online through www.best100.org starting October 10th. The Kuwait Science Fair team will visit schools across Kuwait, welcome students who wish to participate at the official KSF booth in the Marina Mall and can be contacted on the KSF hotline - number found on the website.
 

The Kuwait Science Fair Sponsors at the press conference
 

AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson and PR & Marketing Director Amal Al-Binali with American Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah Jones
 

AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson gives a short speech at the Kuwait Science Fair Press Conference

AUK welcomes its 21st Dartmouth Intern, Christina Chen, who will be at AUK until late November 2010. Christina will be working in the Division of Sciences & Engineering, Student Life, and on a special project with the Arabian Heritage Project. 

Christina Chen, hailing from Irvine, California, is currently in her second year at Dartmouth College. Majoring in Economics modified with Environmental Studies, she is particularly interested in resource management, and the improvement of such to lessen world conflict. This trip to the Middle East offers her a chance to learn about the integral roles natural resources play in some economies, and the effect a depletion of such would have on a country. At Dartmouth, Christina participates in the World Music Percussion Ensemble and studies classical piano independently. Her interests include microfinance and sustainability, thus she participates in Dartmouth's Social Enterprise and Economic Society's Consulting Group and the Environmental Conservation Organization. Christina's trip to Kuwait is an introduction to the region, and area she hopes to have a more permanent connection with in the future.
 

Christina Chen

Higher education of Kuwait Science Fair first prize winner, fully covered

The Kuwait Science Fair, the largest science competition in Kuwait, today announced that the American University of Kuwait (AUK) will grant the first place winner(s) with the best science project in the competition, a scholarship in their desired field of study.

AUK joins the founders of the competition, ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Kuwait Limited and Kuwait Energy in its effort to empower young students in public and private schools across Kuwait to explore and innovate in the fields of math and science. 

The competition, endorsed by the Minister of Oil, Information and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, will launch its third consecutive year in October 2010 compelling students to pursue future careers in related professions.

AUK President, Dr. Winfred Thompson said: "We are very pleased to have joined the Kuwait Science Fair competition this year. This competition is one of the only - if not the only - competition that engages all students across the country in an educational experience outside school parameters. We are delighted to take part in the Kuwait Science Fair to support Kuwait's young minds in their pursuit towards scientific innovation. We look forward to welcoming young winners inside our classrooms." 

The Kuwait Science Fair Managing Director, Ms. Aseel Al-Turkait said: "The American University of Kuwait is one of the most renowned universities in Kuwait, set apart by its science programs such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information System. For that, we extend our deepest gratitude to AUK for providing the first place winner of the Kuwait Science Fair with a full scholarship and an opportunity to continue their education in a reputed university." 
The Kuwait Science Fair competition extends over five months and will be divided into two cycles. The first cycle comprises two months consisting of daily visits by the KSF team to public and private schools in Kuwait and a permanent KSF booth at the Marina Mall to encourage students to take part in the competition and help them present their applications. 

In its second cycle, the "Best 100" projects will continue in the competition and will start developing their ideas into experimental projects, which will be showcased to a set of judges and experts.

In its second year ending March 2009, more than 220 students from 46 public and private schools in Kuwait competed in the Kuwait Science Fair. The first place winner received a scholarship in the discipline of her choice from the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), in addition to KD750 in cash, as well as an internship at Schlumberger. The winner's school also received a computer lab from Schlumberger and was admitted into Schlumberger's Excellence in Educational Development program (SEED), which works to educate students on global issues influencing their future.

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. AUK and its Ivy League partner Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA) have worked closley together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

AUK welcomed its second pair of graduate interns, Allison Fox and Katie Mitchell, who spent seven weeks of their summer completing graduate internships within the Division of Student Affairs. Allison and Katie were at AUK from June 7- July 22, 2010. They were the second pair of Graduate Interns in Student Affairs Administration or CSP to join AUK. Allison worked in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and in the Student Success Center, while Katie worked in the Office of Student Life and in the Office of Admissions. Of her experience working in Student Affairs in Kuwait Katie said, "Students have similar transition issues all over the world. This experience has helped me see the difference that religion and culture can play, not only in shaping a student's experience, but shaping the way student affairs impacts the development of a student's identity and development." 

Katie Mitchell is a graduate student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership Masters program at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Additionally, she serves in a professional capacity as the Assistant Director in the Office of Admissions at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Katie earned her Bachelor of University Studies degree from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo in 2005, with concentrations in psychology and communications. As an undergraduate student, Katie worked in the NDSU Admissions Office as a student worker, was selected as the student intern, and took a semester off to travel around North Dakota, Montana and South Dakota as an admissions representative. After graduation, she worked for two years as an admissions counselor at NDSU, before taking a position at Colorado State University (CSU) as an Assistant Director in charge of scholar outreach, scholarships and high ability recruitment. She enjoys working with students and their families as they navigate through the college selection process, as well as working with budgets, financial allocations and scholarship processes. Katie also is looking for ways to help train and develop new admission counselors at CSU and within the profession.

Katie enjoys the expertise of her professors, interacting with colleagues, and continues to enhance her career every chance she gets being recently elected as the University Representative on the executive board of the Colorado Council for High School and College Relations. In her spare time, Katie pursues her interests of reading, attending live music events, enjoying the Rocky Mountains and spending time with family. 

Allison (Ally) Fox is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Student Affairs Administration at Michigan State University. There, she serves as a Career Advisor at MSU's business school, works in their International Student Office, and teaches two seminar classes to business students. She recently entered the field of student affairs after working in business for five years, and refining her professional aspirations. Ally enjoyed her previous work in human resources and in finance, but found that while she liked the advising aspects of her jobs, she didn't find the subject matter fulfilling. Ally finds re-entering academia to be incredibly rewarding, and ultimately hopes to find work in international education, helping facilitate experiential learning opportunities for students.

Ally did her undergraduate work at Kalamazoo College, a small liberal arts school in southwest Michigan where 90% of students study abroad. She spent seven months studying and working in Germany, and the international focus of her undergraduate institution helped clarify her interest in global education. She has also been significantly involved in outdoor experiential learning, serving as a leader for the National Outdoor Leadership School and for Kalamazoo College's LandSea program, a wilderness orientation program for incoming students. Ally's personal interests include travel, backpacking, volleyball and other games.
 

Student Affairs Graduate Interns