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News

28, Oct 2009

The Turbulent Gulf and the GCC

The former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Kuwaiti representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Bishara, told a public audience at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) on Sunday, October 25, 2009, that the GCC could achieve "glory" through policies of moderation aimed at defeating religious fundamentalism and mitigating Iranian influence in the Gulf. Bishara's lecture, entitled "The Turbulent Gulf and the GCC," was sponsored by AUK's Gulf Studies Center and attended by members of the general public and the diplomatic corps, in addition to AUK faculty, staff, and students.

Focusing his twenty-five minute address on the twin historical challenges of Iraq and Iran, Bishara sought to assess the GCC's overall legacy in achieving its goals; Bishara claimed that "in the final outcome...we have pan-Arabism, radicalism, fundamentalism on the run," and hailed a "triumph of moderation" in the region. The GCC's first Secretary-General, from its inception in 1981 until 1993, Bishara described the GCC as a "status quo power," and spoke of the GCC's continuing mission to "build a wall against disorder flowing from Tehran and Baghdad." Weighing the Council's "profits and losses," Bishara said that the Arab Gulf states have ably "preserved the order of the Gulf," and made wise use of their wealth, creating an island of political and economic stability in the Middle East. Bishara cited this stability, based on the dependability, trustworthiness, and confidence of the region's governments and economies, as an essential precondition for the GCC's engineering of "the internationalization of the Gulf."

After critiquing the GCC's slow pace in fostering good governance and democratization, describing its deliberative process as "too cautious, too reluctant," Bishara nevertheless marveled at the GCC's rapid response in 1990 and 1991 to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. "During the Kuwait occupation, I saw a different catalog of traits" from the Gulf leaders, Bishara said. In that crisis, Bishara saw "an amazing coalition of determination, wealth, credibility, reliability, and friendship."

During a question-and-answer session following the lecture, Bishara warned of the grave risk posed by a nuclear Iran to the GCC's mission, noting that such a development "would tip the balance of power" and "impact the regional order so dear to the GCC," and advocated region-wide "Programs of Enlightenment" in religious re-education to combat "the curse of fanaticism."

The former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Kuwaiti representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Bishara with the Director of the Gulf Studies Center & Associate Professor of History and International Studies, Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi

The former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Kuwaiti representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Bishara

26, Oct 2009

AUK Commends Exemplary Students

In celebration of AUK student's academic achievements, a ceremony was held on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at the Liberal Arts Auditorium where recipients of the President's Honor Roll and Dean's list shared their joy with faculty, staff and parents.

An unprecedented 303 students were awarded by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh for being on the Dean's List, which requires students to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The President's Honor Roll saw 47 recipients awarded by AUK President Dr. Marina Tolmacheva. These exemplary students must maintain a 4.0 GPA to be eligible for this honor.

Spring 2009 President's Honor Roll
Abdelwahab Al-Atiqi
Abdul-Azeez Habib
Abdulla Al Wohaib
Abdullah Al-Shames
Abdulwahab Al-Sharaf
Afnan Abdullah
Alaa El-Khatib
Ali Majed
Amena El-Ezaby
Amineh Eida
Ascia Farraj
Dana Al-Failakawi
Dina El-Zohairy
Fatemah Boukhadour
Fatima Al-Sughayer
Fatima Ibraheem
Fatma Al-Fadhli
Fatma Al-Qames
Iman Zariwala
Isha Haider
Kawthar Abdullah
Kawther Sadeq
Laila Al-Daghestani
Mays Naser
Mejren Al-Hammadi
Mohammad Al-Wuqayyan
Nada Bedir
Norah Al-Hilaly
Nour El-Shamsy
Noura Al-Suwalem
Nourin Tajani
Nuha Al-Fadli
Nur Soliman
Omar El-Khatib
Omar Mehdi
Rana Emera
Rasha Abdelhadi
Rasha Al-Najjar
Sakineh Fakher
Sally Saleh
Sanaa Turky
Sara Al-Terkait
Shahad Bin-Salamah
Shaza Abdelazim
Tarek Al-Azem
Wael El-Ahmady
Wafaa Okasha

Spring 2009 Dean's List
Abdelrahman Abuzaid
Abdel-Rahman El-Farra
Abdelwahab Al-Atiqi
Abdul-Azeez Habib
Abdulaziz Almuslem
Abdulaziz Al-Sammar
Abdulaziz Al-Mudhaf
AbdulAziz Al-Mutairi
Abdulaziz Al-Hagan
Abdulla Murad
Abdulla Al Wohaib
Abdullah Naqi
Abdullah Al-Shaikh
Abdullah Al-Shames
Abdulrahman Aman
Abdulrahman Al-Essa
Abdulrahman Al-Duaij
Abdulrahman Al-Farhan
Abdulrahman Al-Hoti
Abdulwahab Al-Sharaf
Abdur Chowdhury
Adam Lary
Adel Abdul Hussein
Afnan Abdullah
Ahmad Al-Homaidi
Ahmad Youssef
Ahmad Al-Enezi
Ahmed El-Sayed
Ahmed Ben Awadh
Ahmed Dimachkie
Alaa Al-Rashed
Alaa Al-Zamel
Alaa Basha
Alaa El-Khatib
Al-Anood Al-Othman
Ali Taqi
Ali Al-Tukhaim
Ali Atesh
Ali Majed
Alia Aref
Alia Al-Shatti
Altaf Mairza
Alyaa Al-Nafisi
Amena El-Ezaby
Amina Al-Hubail
Amina Al-Anssari
Amineh Eida
Ammar Al-Refai
Anfal Al-Shammari
Ascia Farraj
Aseel Al-Abed
Ashod Kuyumjian
Athba Al-Nusif
Bader Al-Jadei
Bader Al-Shemari
Baraah Al-Marouf
Batool Akhand
Dalal Al-Sabah
Dalal Al-Sharhan
Dalal Al-Muhawes
Dalal Al-Enizi
Dalal Al-Mukaimi
Dalia Al-Awadhi
Dana Abu Mejdad
Dana Al-Failakawi
Danah Jbara
Dareen Swar Al-Thahab
Deema Al-Kandery
Dharey Ali
Dina El-Zohairy
Emad Salamah
Esraa Al-Shammari
Fadel Al-Sabah
Fahad Al-Refai
Fahad Hamid
Faisal Al-Ghusain
Faisal Al-Mutawaa
Faisal Mohammad
Fajer Bouarki
Fakheema Badri
Farah Al-Saqlawi
Farah Al Qallaf
Farah Zainal
Farah Khneijer
Fares Al-Shatti
Faris Fayrouz
Fatema Al-Matrouk
Fatemah Al-Sabah
Fatemah Boukhadour
Fatemeh Dadkhah
Fatima Sakit
Fatima Al-Khalaf
Fatima Al-Sughayer
Fatima Ibraheem
Fatma Abdulghafour
Fatma Mohamad
Fatma Al-Fadhli
Fatma Al-Qames
Feras El-Husari
Foud Al-Bahar
Ghadeer Sarab
Ghadeer Al-Mirza
Ghadeer Nema
Ghaneema Al-Qudmani
Hadaya Al-Othman
Hadeel Al-Musallam
Hadi Sarieddine
Hamad Al-Kharraz
Haneen Abdulaziz
Hani Ghalayini
Haya Al-Nassar
Haya Al-Sabah
Heba Mansour
Heba Rashwan
Hiba Bazzi
Hussain Taha
Hussain Akbar
Ibrahim Taha
Iman Zariwala
Isha Haider
Ismail Abu-Abdo
Jackleen Shaanin
Jarrah Al-Sabah
Jida Cheikh Amin
Jomana Mustafawi
Jumana Al-Jasim
Kawthar Jamal
Kawthar Abdullah
Kawther Sadeq
Khaled Al-Ajmi
Khaled Abdel Ghaffar
Khaled Al-Jassar
Khaled Elchammaa
Khalid Al-Attrash
Khalid Al-Omar
Laila Al-Daghestani
Lama Ahmed
Lamees Nijem
Lamia Al-Salahi
Laura Boulos
Leen Taha
Leila May Al-Methen
Lolwah Al-Rashed
Lujain AbuZaid
Lulwa Boushahri
Maen Awais
Maha Yousef
Mahy Tawfik
Manal Al-Jtaili
Manal Zeidan
Manar Al-Murad
Manar Salman
Manwa Al-Yaqoub
Marahib Al-Sabah
Marhab Al-Loghani
Mariam El-Temtamy
Mariam Sultan
Mariam Behbehani
Mariam Mairza
Maryam Al-Naserallah
Mashael Eissa
May Khafash
May Younes
Mayda Al-Arabi
Mays Naser
Mejren Al-Hammadi
Mennatallah Abdul-Hamid
Meshari Al-Muhaini
Milad Kaeid
Modi Al-Mohareb
Mohamed Ismail
Mohamed Fargoun
Mohammad Al-Aradi
Mohammad Al-Saqer
Mohammad Al-Sulaiman
Mohammad Al-Wuqayyan
Mohammed Al-Fares
Mohammed Al-Sabah
Mohammed Hasan
Mona Al-Sharrah
Moneba Iqbal
Monica Matta
Mubarak Al-Enezi
Mubarak Al-Mubarak
Mubarak Al-Marri
Muhannad Darwish
Nada Bedir
Nadia Al-Fadhli
Nadia Sammour
Nardeen Al-Alawy
Narjes Al-Kazemi
Nawaf Al-Ajmi
Nivine Al-Ayash
Noha Aoun
Noof Al-Muzaini
Noor Hallak
Noor Kortom
Noor Al-Baghli
Nora Al-Twaijry
Norah Al-Hilaly
Nour Al-Sharrah
Nour El-Shamsy
Noura Al-Sharhan
Noura Al-Baijan
Noura Al-Sager
Noura Al-Ajmi
Noura Al-Suwalem
Nouria Al-Sabah
Nourin Tajani
Nuha Al-Fadli
Nur Soliman
Omar Alabduljader
Omar El-Khatib
Omar Mehdi
Omnia Abdelhalim
Perihan Al-Tanani
Rahma Al-Mishwat
Rana Sakkijha
Rana Al-Najjar
Rana Manssour
Rana Abdelhamid
Rana Emera
Rand Dannan
Rania Shaker
Ranyah Alenezi
Rasha Al-Jabi
Rasha Abdelhadi
Rasha Al-Najjar
Rawan Al-Tarkit
Rawan Al-Sughayer
Razan Al-Asqah
Reem Al-Huwaidi
Reem Al-Wazzan
Reem Habib
Reem Shuhaibar
Reham Ibrahim
Sabikah Al-Ayyoubi
Sadaf Elyassi-Bakhtiyari
Safaa AbdulHamid
Safaa Khalil
Sahar Tanweer
Sakineh Fakher
Saleh Al Ojeiri
Salem Al-Jandal
Salem Belal
Sally Nassar
Sally Saleh
Salma Al-Mishwat
Salman Al-Saffar
Sanaa Turky
Sara Al-Fouzan
Sara Al-Gharabally
Sara Qaddoura
Sara Al-Terkait
Sarah Al-Weqayyan
Sarah Al-Mejreb
Sarah Al-Qadire
Sarah Juma
Sarah Al-Sharhan
Sarah Sebzali
Sarah Al-Rifaai
Sarah Mobasher
Sepideh Behbehani
Shaha Al-Mufarrij
Shaha Al-Obaid
Shaha Al-Khaddah
Shahad Al-Harban
Shahad Bin-Salamah
Shahed Al-Wadani
Shahed Al-Tammar
Shaikha Al-Saeed
Shaikha Al-Kandari
Shaza Ayesh
Shaza Abdelazim
Sherif Mohammed
Shimaa Hassan
Shorouq Al-Qabandi
Slaiman Anbar
Sohaila Hasan
Sulaiman Al-Bader
Sulaiman Al-Sahu
Sundos Al-Mutawaa
Taiba Al-Zaabi
Taiba Al-Humaidhi
Talal Al Sager
Talal Al-Mutawaa
Talal Al-Saddi
Talal Al-Yaseen
Tarek Al-Azem
Tasnim Ramsorwala
Violla Bader
Wadha Al-Hunaidi
Wael El-Ahmady
Wafaa Okasha
Walah Al-Sabah
Yousef Ali
Yousef Al-Raqhas
Zahabiya Gunj
Zahra Al-Abdeen
Zahra`a Ashkanani
Zakaria Al-Ansari
Ziba Ebrahimi
Zienab Hussain

Nour Al Shamsy Receives her certificate from Dr. Marina Tolmacheva

Maen Awais receives his certificate from Dr. Nizar Hamzeh

A view of the audience

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20, Oct 2009

Bedouin Oral Traditions: An Open Forum with Dr. Saad Sowayan

AUK's Arabian Heritage Project hosted world-renowned Saudi Folklore scholar Dr. Saad Sowayan, Professor at King Saud University in Riyadh on Tuesday October 13. Dr. Sowayan is the author of multiple articles and books on the oral literature and spoken language of Arabian nomads, including Nabati Poetry: The Oral History of Arabia (1985), and The Arabian Oral Historical Narrative (1992). He welcomed the large audience, opening his talk with musical examples of Najdi Bedouins, including ancient samri (night music) and songs of the cameleers and horsemen. As he answered the many questions about Bedouin life of the past, Dr. Sowayan shared his wealth of knowledge, including the important role of women (some tribes even had female Sheiks), and the complexity of his research. Dr. Sowayan is delighted with AUK's new Arabian Heritage Project and will continue to interact closely with the center through publications and research.

Dr. Lisa Urkevich presents the speaker

Dr. Saad Sowayan

A view of the audience

18, Oct 2009

AUK Welcomes Fall 09 Dartmouth Interns

AUK welcomes the Fall 2009 Dartmouth interns, Charlie Dameron and Matt Forman. Charlie and Matt are the 10th pair of Dartmouth interns to join AUK since the program's inception and will be staying until the end of November 2009.

Charlie Dameron.

Charlie Dameron, a junior from San Antonio, Texas, is majoring in Government and History modified with Arabic. He graduated with a Classical Diploma from the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire in 2007, where he was student body president his senior year. He attended Duke University for one year before transferring to Dartmouth. At Duke, Charlie took an interest in Arabic and Islamic Studies, and attended the Jeddah Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia with several others from his Islamic Studies seminar program. At Dartmouth, Charlie is a rower for the Men's Lightweight team, a member of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, and Executive Editor of The Dartmouth Review, a bi-weekly independent newspaper.

Charlie will be working in the Gulf Studies Center, with The Voice of AUK, and a third area still to be determined.

Matthew J. Forman.

Matthew J. Forman is a member of the Class of 2011 at Dartmouth College. A major in History with concentration in History of Science and minor in Music, Matthew is excited to further develop his relationship with the American University of Kuwait. Drawn to the intern program through the teleconferences of Fall 2008 with Dr. Awwad's and Dr. Eickelman's students, he is very much looking forward to working with the students, faculty, and staff at AUK. At Dartmouth, Matthew is very active in the musical life of the College. He sings with both the Dartmouth Chamber Singers, a smaller a cappella vocal ensemble, and the Handel Society of Dartmouth College, a larger oratorio society founded in 1807. Matthew also plays in the trombone section of the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble. Outside of his musical pursuits, he has worked as a tutor through Dartmouth's Academic Skills Center and has written articles on the history of science for the Thayer School of Engineering magazine, Dartmouth Engineer.

Matt will be working in the Arabian Heritage Project, the Intensive English Program, and with The Voice of AUK.

15, Oct 2009

Dr. Munshi Releases New Book

AUK Professor of Anthropology and Division Head - Social Sciences, Shoma Munshi's book Prime Time Soap Operas on Indian Television with Routledge (New Delhi/London/New York), has been published in August 2009.

This is the first book to examine prime time soap operas on Indian television. It examines five prime time soaps, and argues that this particular genre of popular culture provides important resources for insights into contemporary social issues and practices. Focusing on the complex constructions of family, tradition, 'Indian-ness' and gender, the book also analyzes narrative structures of soaps in the context of their fractured and never-ending time frames and plot outlines.

Meticulously researched and persuasively argued, the book tracks how prime time soaps in India have made the small screen a big medium in reaching out to people. It will be of interest to students of anthropology and sociology, media and cultural studies, visual culture studies, gender and family studies, and also Asian studies in general.

The book has 50 color visuals supplied by television content production houses and television channels.

A book launch was held in Mumbai on August 25, 2009, on the sets of Bidaai, one of the soap operas examined in the book. Organized by the producer-director, Rajan Shahi, the stars and entire production crew were present at the launch. The media were invited for the occasion, which was televised on the channels of Star News, Aaj Tak, TV 18, and News 24.

The book will be reviewed in academic journals as well as the popular press, and is being exhibited in the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest book fair in the world, from October 14-18, 2009.

Outlook India, one of the leading English language weekly magazines, has invited Dr. Munshi to do a special review piece on my book. This magazine is read worldwide and has one of the largest circulation figures, both in India and overseas.

The book received promising reviews. Dale F. Eickelman, the Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of Anthropology and Human Relations at Dartmouth College, USA, said "If Bollywood films idealize men and masculinity, Indian prime time soaps foreground women and frame attitudes toward changing family and gender roles. This superb book is good to think with, as Claude Levi-Strauss might say. It links media studies in India firmly to the main currents of social thought."

Peter van der Veer, Director, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Germany; and University Professor, Utrecht University, the Netherlands added, "This is a sophisticated and theoretically penetrating analysis of Indian soap operas. It is deeply informative but fortunately does not spoil the fun. Munshi's book is simultaneously wide-ranging and incisive; a must for those of us interested in popular culture and everyday life in India."

When asked as to what impact Indian prime time soap operas have had in shaping and changing attitudes in India Dr. Munshi said, "a great deal, and for that, you must read the book! This is by far the most contested territory since there is a general tendency to dismiss soaps and their heroines as portrayed regressively, with stereotypical images of submissive women. What is exciting, and heartening, is to see how, despite the criticisms leveled against them, prime time soap operas play a central role in empowering women. Throughout the book, I have tried to show how prime time soap narratives are so structured as to carry out this role; and how their heroines are represented as strong women, who, when faced with moral dilemmas, or in tackling other problems, deal with them in ways that must undoubtedly resonate with many women who feel that these soaps change the way they see and interact with their world."

Copies can also be ordered directly from Routledge India. Please send an email to marketing@tandfindia.com or bookorders@tandfindia.com. Some copies of the book are available in AUK's book store and AUK's library will also order copies.

The book cover of Dr. Munshi's new book

14, Oct 2009

Earn an ABET-ACCREDITED Degree in Engineering at Dartmouth

NEW PROGRAM OPEN TO AUK STUDENTS IN 2011

Beginning in the summer of 2011, qualified AUK students who wish to pursue engineering degrees may do so at Dartmouth. Upon successfully completing the program described below they will graduate with the Bachelor of Engineering degree from Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, in addition to a bachelor's degree from AUK. The Thayer Bachelor of Engineering degree is accredited by ABET, Inc., the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology (www.abet.org).

Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, founded in 1867, offers one of the most distinctive engineering programs in the world. Grounded in Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum, coursework at Thayer utilizes the resources of the entire Dartmouth campus, combining the expertise of Thayer faculty members with that of faculty across the institution.

(Left to right): Dean of Thayer School of Engineering Joseph Helble, Dean of AUK College of Arts and Sciences Nizar Hamzeh, Professor of Engineering (Thayer) Ursula Gibson, and Division Head of of Sciences and Engineering Shereef AlMaati. The group met in November 2008 to go over details of the dual degree program. Photo courtesy of Kawakahi Keo Amina '10

Pioneering work in bioengineering, alternative fuel development, innovative medical systems, and robotics are just a few of the areas for which Thayer is known. Engineering entrepreneurship and management are also major areas of focus. Thayer faculty and graduates have founded some of the most innovative new companies in the United States.

The AUK-Thayer Program begins the summer after sophomore year, with two required courses: Engineering Sciences (Engs) 21, "Introduction to Engineering," a design and project course, and Engs 22, "Systems," which focuses on mathematical and physical modeling and analysis in several engineering disciplines. A third course may be chosen, if desired, from the other Thayer summer offerings.

Admission to the summer program is competitive, and based on prior academic performance and letters of recommendation from AUK faculty members. Candidates for admission must be able to demonstrate academic achievement and a GPA that meets the requirements of the Thayer School admissions committee.

Upon completing the summer courses at Dartmouth, students will return to AUK to complete their degree requirements. After graduation, they will return to Dartmouth for an additional year of engineering study. The Thayer School Bachelor of Engineering degree is awarded to students who meet the grade average requirements for the degree, as specified in the Thayer School Bulletin.

Graduate study in engineering is also available at Thayer for qualified AUK students.

For more information, see the AUK course catalog or visit:
http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/

Thayer on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/thayerschool

Thayer students created this Pro/MECHANICA model of a brake rotor designed to improve the braking system of a Dartmouth Formula race car. Photo courtesy of Doug Washburn

13, Oct 2009

AUK Compares Favorably with US Counterparts

As part of a self-study, the American University of Kuwait (AUK) participated in the Educational Benchmarking, Inc (EBI) Undergraduate Business 2008 - 2009 Exit Assessment Program. The EBI survey received 36,688 returned responses from 201 public and private institutions of higher education from the United States and abroad. The purpose of the survey is to compare AUK with other American undergraduate universities as part of the American University of Kuwait's program of and commitment to continuous improvement.

The survey of 2009 graduates produced statistical results for such things as the overall aggregate responses to the survey; a select aggregate of responses from a group of seven undergraduate liberal arts universities, including AUK. The six American undergraduate liberal arts institutions were selected to be comparable with AUK; and an aggregate of responses from graduates of The American University of Kuwait. The six American liberal arts institutions are all ranked highly in the US News & World Report 2009 Rankings.

The overall response rate of all university graduates in the survey was 62%. The response rate from AUK graduates was 67%. The survey response rate is high and indicates the survey results are reliable.

Overall the survey results illustrate clearly, that the levels of academic standards at the American University of Kuwait compare favorably with the academic standards at the 201 American universities participating in the survey.

A study of the statistical evidence should please students and parents of students who have attended, are attending or plan to attend the American University of Kuwait.

The results of the survey show that AUK's performance equals or exceeds the performance of comparable American undergraduate universities. AUK was rated excellent for critical thinking, problem solving, effective managerial and leadership skills, effective communication and team work, and how to use and manage technology.

08, Oct 2009

AUKuwait Review welcomes submission for its 2010 Edition

08, Oct 2009

Tim Sullivan Appointed Interim President of the American University of Kuwait

Isaacson, Miller to Assist with International Presidential Search.

The Executive Committee of the American University of Kuwait Board of Trustees has appointed Earl L. (Tim) Sullivan as interim president, effective January 1, 2010. Sullivan will succeed Marina Tolmacheva, who recently announced her intention to step down from the AUK presidency in December 2009. "Tim brings a wealth of experience to this position," said Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah, Chairwoman of the AUK Board of Trustees. "He has a deep understanding of academic and administrative structures, an impressive scholarly record, and a commitment to quality."

Tim Sullivan is a political scientist who has served in a wide variety of leadership roles at The American University of Cairo (AUC). A member of the AUC faculty since 1973, he was provost from 1998 to 2008, and served as the university's acting president in 2001-2002. He chaired AUC's department of Political Science and its department of Economics, Political Science, and Mass Communications. He also chaired the university senate and the editorial board of Cairo Papers in Social Science. Sullivan served as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Cairo American College from 1974 to 1979.

Sullivan says he looks forward to working with AUK faculty, students, and staff during this interim period. "I am impressed by what AUK has accomplished over the last several years," he said, "and grateful to President Marina Tolmacheva for the role she has played in helping the university grow."

A graduate of Seattle University, Sullivan received a Ph.D. in International Relations and Government from Claremont Graduate University (California). He has received a grant from the Ford Foundation, a fellowship from the U.S. Department of State, and has held visiting scholarships at the Brookings Institution, The Gustave E. Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies, and The Middle East Center (University of Utah), among others.

It is to be noted that 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.

Founded in 1982, Isaacson, Miller's expertise has grown out of its founders' public service backgrounds and their commitment to finding talented people to lead and enhance civic institutions.

Isaacson, Miller has worked on presidential searches at universities throughout the U.S., including Dartmouth College, Williams College, and Gallaudet University. The firm has also worked on high level searches for the Smithsonian Foundation, Princeton University, the State University of New York (SUNY), and the University of California at San Francisco, among many others.

Leading the search for Isaacson, Miller is Tim McFeeley, vice president and director. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, McFeeley is an attorney who specialized in healthcare law before joining IM. McFeeley has led searches for higher education, advocacy, environmental, and international development organizations. Sean Farrell, a managing associate at IM, will assist with the search. Nominations and expressions of interest from members of the AUK community are welcome and will be treated with complete confidentiality.

Tim Sullivan

06, Oct 2009

The Arirang Quintet Master Class & Concert

The Arirang Quintet, comprised of premier professional instrumentalists from Germany, presented a master class on Oct. 3 and a concert on Oct. 5, where they discussed their craft and coached local students. Both events were held at the American University of Kuwait (AUK). Also, during the week, they featured at the residence of the German Ambassador.

Organized by the German Embassy and the AUK Visual Performing Arts Program under the direction of Dr. Lisa Urkevich, the concert featured works by Mozart, Klughardt, and Ibert and was open to the public. Arirang Quintet's master class, a few days before the concert, especially welcomed students, as the quintet offered coaching and answer questions from the musical audience. Dr. Urkevich said, "The attendance was wonderful. We had over 150 students and teachers from the community participating. The students were very involved, asking questions, and performing alongside the professionals."

During the week they also performed at the German Ambassador's residence during the reception on the occasion of the Day of German Unity. "I am very happy that we could attract such talent to Kuwait" says the German Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Michael Worbs. "Because the concert at AUK is public, many people in Kuwait will get a chance to enjoy the performance of Arirang Quintet."

Arirang Quintet members Friedrich Haberstock (flute), Jorg Schneider (oboe), Steffen Dillner (clarinet), Sebastian Schindler (French horn), and Monika Schneider (bassoon) presented a short demonstration of their virtuosity on their respective instruments. They also shared their perspectives on practicing, performing, and the empowering nature of music in the hopes of inspiring these young musicians.

"This is the first time for us to play in Kuwait and in the Gulf region," says bassoonist Monika Schneider, "and we are really excited." Dr. Urkevich added, "These wind quintet musical events at AUK provide an especially good opportunity for our students and the community since wind instrument performers, who play the instruments that are featured by the Arirang Quintet, are quite rare in Kuwait, indeed, in the Gulf region in general."

Matthew Forman, a music major at Dartmouth College in the US interning at AUK through the University's partnership with Dartmouth, said, "Collaboration between students and professionals is critical for the students' development as musicians and reaffirms the musicians' commitment to their craft."

The Arirang Wind Quintet was formed in 2002 and is comprised of members from the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, which is one of the leading orchestras in Germany. The musicians of the Arirang Quintet were chosen from over 25,000 students from German music conservatories, and they manifest the highest performance standards. The repertoire of the ensemble consists of Classical, Romantic, and contemporary pieces, including several works which the group debuts.

BSK students participated in the master class

Images from the concert

Dr. Lisa Urkevich

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva

German Ambassador Dr. Michael Worbs

Audience of all ages attended the lecture

The musicians

Back row: Left to right Dr. Lisa Urkevich, Dr. Marina, German Ambassador Dr. Michael Worbs and his wife.
Front row: AUK student and AUK intern from Dartmouth College with musicians

The Arirang Quintet Master Class & Concert

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