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The American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LoYAC) have signed an agreement whereby AUK will grant internship credits to AUK students employed by the LoYAC Summer Program. AUK will grant 3 internship credits for a part-time workload of 120 hours, while full-time internships will earn 4 internship credits.

The agreement was signed by President of AUK, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, and Vice Chairperson & Managing Director of LoYAC, Mrs. Fareah Al-Saqqaf.

President Tolmacheva stated that the university is proud to work with LoYAC, especially within its flagship Summer Program, which has an excellent reputation for its consistent growth and success.

Mrs. Al-Saqqaf thanked AUK for their trust in the Summer Program, which is now in its 6th year running. She hoped that all other universities would follow suit in actively encouraging students to spend their free time in a productive way.

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 College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait offers Degree programs in Social & Behavioral Sciences, International Studies, Media & Communication, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, Graphic Design, English Language and Economics.
 

BP sponsored a group of three AUK students for the Young Adventurers Program held in Dibba, UAE. The trip was part of the experiential learning for an Entre preneurship course students were taking at the Business & Economics Division of AUK. The course is structured around students setting up and managing a real for-profit entrepreneurial venture.

Picture shows AUK students Zaid Al-Rajan (Standing second from left), Salem Al-Jandal (Standing right) and Bader Al-Ajeel(sitting right) with other university students from Kuwait.
 

Global Investment House sponsored a group of American University of Kuwait business students taking a Financial Markets and Institutions course to attend the World Islamic Capital Markets Conference in Bahrain. The trip also included a visit to financial institutions in Dubai. The conference provided an opportunity for students to explore developments in the area of Islamic Banking and Finance, which has been growing at a phenomenal rate of 30% per year. The students also interacted with many academics and professionals in the field during the conference.

In Dubai students visited the Dubai International Finance Center, Hawkamah - The Institute for Corporate Governance, Mashreq Bank and the Dubai Islamic Bank. One of the objectives of the visit was to expose students to the real financial world, meet professionals and develop confidence in their abilities.

Business students need to be exposed to the real financial world as it greatly adds value to their understanding of theory. The field of finance can provide for a challenging, satisfying and financially rewarding career to some of the students who might get motivated to join this field. Picture shows students with officers from the Dubai International Financial Center.
 

On July 4, 2007, the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) signed a Letter of Agreement which states that AUK will accept credits earned by students who have attended ACK toward the attainment of a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the American University of Kuwait. The agreement becomes effective in the Fall semester 2007, and will be reviewed every two years.

This agreement was made possible because the two institutions share a common goal in providing opportunities for students who complete a competency based Diploma with the option of transferring to the American University of Kuwait. They both strive to ensure the smooth transition of students transferring from ACK to AUK.

ACK students who transfer to AUK must have completed the ACK Diploma in Business Management, certified by the Council of Private Universities. Up to 60 credits of courses taken at ACK with a grade of C or above, will be transferable to AUK.

A short ceremony was held at AUK on Wednesday for both parties to sign the memorandum. Signatories from AUK included President of the university, Marina Tolmacheva, Dean of Admissions and Registrations, Mr. Sean Dollman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, and the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Carol Ross.

ACK representation at the signing consisted of ACK's President Dr. Neil Otway, accompanied by Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mr. Paul Murphy, Vice President of Student Affairs, Ms. Kawthar Abu Ghazaleh, and Head of the Management Program, Mrs. Dora Andritsos.

"This agreement emerges as a result of consultation and mutual respect, and is a positive development because both institutions are building educational capacities for Kuwait," said AUK president Marina Tolmacheva "We want to help students ease into a four year degree program. ACK and AUK have had other productive contacts and we are proud to offer a business program that attracts ACK graduates."

President of ACK, Dr. Neil Otway, stated: "Private universities in Kuwait need to work together to provide the best educational opportunities for the younger generation in this country. This letter of Agreement, signed today, will ensure that ACK diploma graduates have options either to enroll in our Bachelor of Business Administration degree that is offered at ACK or have an additional avenue for obtaining a liberal arts degree at AUK, both options with only two additional years of study - a great outcome for AUK and ACK."

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 College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait offers Degree programs in Social & Behavioral Sciences, International Studies, Media & Communication, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, Graphic Design, English Language and Economics.

The Australian College of Kuwait is a four year college offering Diplomas in the fields of Business Management and Engineering; as well as degrees in the fields of Business and Engineering Technology. ACK's vision "enabling human potential within a culture of care" is the driving force in its success.

ACK offers a unique learning product aiming to build capacity, transfer knowledge and empower youth in Kuwait to successfully join the local work force and achieve their full potential. ACK enables students to graduate with employment-ready skills that will provide lifelong opportunities and make a productive difference to any employer or business.
 

President of the AUK Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, ACK's President Dr. Neil Otway and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mr. Paul Murphy

Front row Right to left - Dora andritsos, Kawthar Abu Ghazaleh, President of AUK Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, Dr. Carol Ross
Back row Right to left - Sean Dollman, Nizar Hamzeh, Paul Murphy, and President of ACK Niel Otway, Larry Dawson

Keynote speech given at AUK's Class of 2007 Graduation

Good Evening!

Your Excellency, Minister of Education . . . Distinguished Guests . . . Ladies and Gentlemen . . .

It is an honor to be here. It is a great day for you, for AUK and for me.

I thank Sheikha Dana, Founder & Chairman & President, Dr. Marina. . . for giving me this honor.

Your graduation brings back memories of 31 years ago . . . my graduation day. It was in Big Springs, Texas, which is probably not shown even on the map. The temperature there is almost the same as here. We were ten proud Air - Force officers . . . with hair much shorter than yours.

Let me share with you some important milestones in my life.. Hopefully some of my life lessons can be valuable to you.. My career had a few important stages. Each had its up and low moments.

The first stage . . . I would label it as the youth era: The era of learning to be disciplined, learning to deal with ambition and competition.

By the way . . . I became a pilot, not because I wanted to, but because it was a joint decision with a few friends . . . we saw it as a short cut to America, without parent's concession and support.

My first life lesson . . . Do not make big decisions by just listening to your friends they, probably, do not have a full picture about you.

I married young . . . at age 22. . . By age 26 , I had a wife and two kids . . . My heart and soul however were focused on being a successful entrepreneur . . . I was planning to make the biggest decision in my life . . . to move from a secure job in the Air Force to the Wild , Wild West . . . wanted to be rich . . . Quick !! So I made the choice . . . Thinking about it now, it was not such a wise decision . . . can anyone say otherwise?

The next stage of my life started with fireworks. This was the Manakh time.. Wonderland, Disney land, whatever you want to call it. Everybody . . . and I mean everybody . . . was busy with stock market "trading ". . . even the butcher, the vegetable seller and the bokhur (Scent) vendor. And we did not stop at that . . . we truly believed that we were experts.

Many of you are familiar with the internet bubble . . . this was our bubble .like everyone, I thought this would last until I achieved my financial goals, but . . . as quickly as the rise came , the fall came even quicker . I landed very hard . . . but not as hard as many others.

My life lesson here was . . . in good times you must always know how to strengthen yourself! And remember . . . what comes quickly - goes just as quickly!

I came out of it feeling the failure . . . it was not a good feeling. However, I picked up the pieces, worked with the family business - brick and mortar stuff . . . all this was hard work, no flashy life.

I would describe this phase as the salary era in my life . . . it was challenging . . . multiple business, family emotions & inheritance issues. The circumstances made a 9 to 5 job look attractive. It was very difficult to adjust from living like a millionaire . . . even for a short period of time . . . to living on a budget.

I began working for the private sector in 1986, when I was 32 years old. This was the first time I worked for others. I had never done that . . . I had experienced over the last 10 years some success and some failures. Now . . . I was determined "not to fail"

Any job that I did, I gave my best . . . the commitment was there . . . I put in long hours . . . I took on responsibility . . . and took decision. I contributed my little experience into my work .Interestingly . . . the results of these efforts started showing success.

In this stage of my life, the lesson I learnt was that. . . Commitment, Discipline and Hard Work will bring value . . . sooner or later.

This was good preparation for the next stage of my career . . . the Corporate World. I joined KIPCO in 1990 and 3 months later, we were invaded by our neighbor Iraq. So it wasn't a good start.

The corporate world environment was very new to me . . . so intriguing! I decided to do more listening than talking. As a result, I was probably the quietest CEO in Kuwait for the first year. Then we built what we built . . . the KIPCO Group.

In 1991, KIPCO began with two companies from the Financial Services sector. Today . . . the KIPCO Group has 54 companies in the Financial Services . . . Media . . . Real Estate . . . Industrial . . . Healthcare . . . and Aviation sectors.

In 1991, KIPCO had operations in only 4 countries. Today . . . KIPCO operation across 18 countries primarily in the MENA region i.e. The Middle East & North Africa . KIPCO began with approximately 200 employees. Today . . . our total head count is over 12,000 . . . with over 60 nationalities.

In 1991, KIPCO's consolidated Assets were US$257 Million. Today . . . . KIPCO's consolidated Assets are US$20 Billion.

We were the first corporate to be rated in the MENA region. We were the first to do a cross border deal. . . the biggest one . . . some 3.7 billion dollars in Kuwait. We introduced the transparency (Shafafiya) forum . . . which we have been doing for the last 3 years.

The success we achieved over the last 17 years came from. . . Having the right vision. . . Having the right people. . . and Working together in harmony. It was also the result of the many personal life lessons that I learnt.

One valuable life lesson I will mention is hat . . . irrespective of a good or a bad experience . . . you can extract knowledge from it . it can be a great teacher when you learn from it and collect . . . in the form of experience.

Let me share with you a few insights. . . the first one is that most of the time , the first obstacle is your own mind. . . so open your minds . . . you will be surprised , that once you do this , your destiny suddenly becomes larger .

Another is. . . always raise the bar. . . In your conduct. . . In your ethics and particularly . . . In your execution.

The other insight is about handling problems . . . First and foremost, never sweep a problem under the carpet. . . Focus on it , to resolve it . Most of the time, you will have more options than you think. When the problem is too big . . . fragment it . . . then attack each part separately. Choose the best solution but remember . . . sometimes, some solutions may be good for a part, but not for all.

Team work is important . . . but it is more important to create a culture which encourages open and free discussion of thoughts and solutions in your team. You will be surprised that juggling with solutions will very often help you to find the master key to the problem and opportunities.

As you go into the market place with its great macro economic environment , quality of education & information technology . . . with knowledge in your palms. . . it will be a great and exciting time . . . whatever you choose to be ! All you need is hard work. . . Dedication . . . harnessed with Good Ethics!

If you do that, you will do well, feel well and you will be noticed.

Congratulations and wish you all the success . . . Thank you.
 

Faisal Al-Ayyar, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO Group).Member of the AUK Board of Trustees

The Graduation Ceremony of the Undergraduate class of 2007 at American University of Kuwait took place at Al-Hashemi ballroom in the Radisson SAS Hotel at 7 PM on Tuesday, June 19, under the patronage of Her Excellency the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Ms. Nouriya Al-Sabeeh, represented by the General Secretary of the Council for Private Universities, Dr. Imad Al-Attiqi.

Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences welcomed students, their families and guests to the ceremony, and proceeded to introduce the president of the university, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva who stepped up to the podium to give her welcome remarks.

Dr. Tolmacheva welcomed everyone to the second ever graduation of AUK students since its start in 2004. The strength of the university, she said, was synonymous with the quality of its faculty and academic programs. She expressed a great sense of pride in the faculty members at AUK describing them as "dynamic, competent, and caring."

"Our faculty," she said, "have set high standards for their students and provided a supportive learning environment for students to be successful. Under the tutelage of the AUK faculty, these seniors have mastered the knowledge of their field, the ability to think critically, the art of effective communication, and the respect for diversity, be that diversity national, ethnic, cultural, or intellectual. Through personal growth experiences in and out of the classroom, this group of seniors is more self-aware and ready to embark upon leadership roles in their societies. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the American University of Kuwait, we congratulate you graduates and welcome your family and friends as we celebrate your achievement."

Next she spoke of the university's institutional merits, such as obtaining Kuwaiti accreditation in 2006, the addition of a new classroom building, the licensing of new programs and introduction of new majors in Arts & Sciences, the establishment of the new academic tradition of celebrating the Liberal Arts Week and the introduction of the first AUK academic serial publication, AUK Occasional Papers.

Additional emphasis was placed on students' achievements outside the classroom. Amongst those: AUK's victory in the University Champion's Cup, participation in Model United Nations, trips abroad to study in Jordan and London, mentoring their peers by serving as orientation leaders, peer academic advisors and tutors.

She further highlighted AUK students' campaigning and fundraising capabilities, citing an awareness campaign for Darfur as one example.

As another point of pride, Dr. Tolmacheva mentioned that with this class, the university celebrated the graduation of the country's first female student government president.

The president then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Faisal Al-Ayyar. Mr. Al-Ayyar is a member of the AUK Board of Trustees, within which he serves on the Executive Committee and is the Chair of its Finance, Investment and Audit Committee. Away from AUK, he is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO Group).

"More importantly," Dr. Tolmacheva added, "he possesses the qualities that we work to develop in our students: commitment to service, effective leadership, global awareness, critical thinking, and respect for diversity, all evident in his varying roles throughout the world."

Mr. Al-Ayyar addressed the graduates with an inspirational speech about his personal evolution as an entrepreneur, assuring them that there will be pitfalls but that there is always knowledge to be extracted from experience, whether it's good or bad. Offering personal insight, he told them "that most of the time, the first obstacle will be your own mind, so open your minds, You will be surprised, that once you do this, your destiny suddenly becomes larger."

"Always raise the bar," he told them, "in your conduct, in your ethics, and particularly in your execution."

Following his keynote address, Mr. Al-Ayyar was presented with a plaque from Dr. Tolmacheva, on behalf of the graduating class of 2007.

Dean of Admissions and Registration, Mr. Sean Dollman and President Marina Tolmacheva then conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees, and in keeping with the academic tradition, the graduates were asked to move their tassels from right to left, thereby marking their official graduation from AUK. Following this, each graduate was presented with her or his bachelor's degree diploma by Dr. Tolmacheva and Mr. Imad Al-Ateeqi- Secretary General of the Council for Private Universities, Dr. Dale Eickelman- AUK-Dartmouth Relationship Coordinator, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh- Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, and Mr. Sean Dollman- Dean of Admissions and Registration.

Student Keynote Speaker and Valedictorian, Tasnim Saleh, took to the podium to deliver her speech. Miss Saleh completed the bachelor's degree program in Information Systems. She earned the highest cumulative grade point average of this graduating class. This exemplary student had won a full tuition scholarship, then went on to become the first President's Award recipient in 2005, and has received the AUK 3D art first place award. She was the Division of Sciences award winner in 2006, participant in Soliya Connect Program, was desk editor for the Voice of AUK newspaper and member of the French Club. Tasnim has tutored for the Student Success Center and worked in the Writing center. She has interned at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, worked as a student assistant in the Office of the Registrar before ending her career with us as a Records Services Coordinator.

The end of the ceremony was marked by the traditional cutting of the Class of 2007 cake in the reception area of the ballroom, and professional photography was provided for all graduates and their families and friends.

The dinner reception was sponsored by National Bank of Kuwait, with whom AUK shares a long-standing memorandum of understanding.
 

Shaikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al- Ahmed Al-Sabah, Founder and Chair of AUK Board of Trustees

Tasnim Saleh, Student Keynote Speaker and Valedictorian

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

At the 3rd Annual Awards Night which took place on June 2nd 2007, the American University of Kuwait awarded its exemplary students, faculty and staff for their outstanding performance in all areas of university life.

Below is a list of the award types and their recipients:

Campus Service Award:
Sara Taha
Noufa Al-Sabah
Mohammed Jafar
Sarah Boodai
Tareq Al-Rifaai
Shoug Al-Khatrash
Rawan Al-Muzaini
Abdulla Abdelrahman
Sami Maan
Farah Al-Shamali
Ameen Al-Ahmad
Hadi Sarieddine
Bassam Saeed
Yousuf Al-Rashed
Orientation Leaders
Peer Academic Leaders

Student Employee Award:
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Hadi Sarieddine
Nada Darras
Ebrahem Al-Hajri
Abdulla Abdulrahman
Dina El-Zohairy
Hussein Nour-Elddine
Abdel Al-Rahman Al-Mahani
Sara Saeed
Norah Al-Hillaly
Jabran Butt

Outstanding Athlete Award:
Yousef Al-Mutairi
Shaikha Al-Khaldi

Scholar Athlete Award:
Sami Maan
Ala'a Ali-Reda

Innovative Lecturer:
Dr. Marjorie Kelly

Most Supportive Faculty:
Dr. Kathryn Kleypas

Most Supportive Staff:
Hussein Al-Fahed

Faculty Mentorship Award:
Dr. Abigail Gray

Staff Mentorship Award:
Fatma Hayat

President's Honor Roll:
Abdulwahab Al-Sharaf
Adla Al-Madahka
Ahmed Al-Enezi
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Amal Tawakuli
Dina El-Zohairy
Fahed Al-Rafidi
Fawaz Al-Maghribi
Haya Al-Qassar
Heba Rashwan
Husham Hindi
Mazyad Al-Masoud
Nada Al-Hudaid
Nawar Al-Kazemi
Noaf Hussein
Nuha Al-Fadli
Razan Sharaf
Rowena Al-Mutawa
Tasnim Saleh
Violla Bader

IEP Award:
Abdulrahman Saab
Fatema Sakit

English 099 Award:
Faten Al-Yanno
Noura Al-Subiei

Division of Humanities and Arts:
Abdulla Taki
Mariam Rafehi
Ghada Al-AbdulAaly
Sara Taha

Division of Social Sciences:
Bader Chammaa
Fatmah Al-Qadfan
Fahad Mohammad
Noura Al-Aleiwi

Division of Sciences:
Ebrahem Al-Hajri
Amal Tawakuli
Mohamed El-Kuishawi
Ala'a Al-Kadri

Division of Business and Economics:
Suheil Taye'a
Razan Sharaf
Mazyad Al-Masoud
Bushra Zaher

Organization Member of the Year:
Nizar Mashal
Sara Taha
Fahed Al-Rafidi

Organization of the Year:
SGA

Advisor of the Year:
Shareefa Al-Adwani

Student Leadership Award:
Noufa Al-Sabah
Jawaher Ali-Redha

Dean's Award:
Ala'a Ali-Reda

President's Award:
Jawaher Ali-Redha
 

At the 3rd Annual Awards Night which took place on June 2nd 2007, the American University of Kuwait awarded its exemplary students, faculty and staff for their outstanding performance in all areas of university life.
 
Below is a list of the award types and their recipients:

Campus Service Award:
Sara Taha
Noufa Al-Sabah
Mohammed Jafar
Sarah Boodai
Tareq Al-Rifaai
Shoug Al-Khatrash
Rawan Al-Muzaini
Abdulla Abdelrahman
Sami Maan
Farah Al-Shamali
Ameen Al-Ahmad
Hadi Sarieddine
Bassam Saeed
Yousuf Al-Rashed
Orientation Leaders
Peer Academic Leaders

Student Employee Award:
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Hadi Sarieddine
Nada Darras
Ebrahem Al-Hajri
Abdulla Abdulrahman
Dina El-Zohairy
Hussein Nour-Elddine
Abdel Al-Rahman Al-Mahani
Sara Saeed
Norah Al-Hillaly
Jabran Butt

Outstanding Athlete Award:
Yousef Al-Mutairi
Shaikha Al-Khaldi

Scholar Athlete Award:
Sami Maan
Ala'a Ali-Reda

Innovative Lecturer:
Dr. Marjorie Kelly

Most Supportive Faculty:
Dr. Kathryn Kleypas

Most Supportive Staff:
Hussein Al-Fahed

Faculty Mentorship Award:
Dr. Abigail Gray

Staff Mentorship Award:
Fatma Hayat

President's Honor Roll:
Abdulwahab Al-Sharaf
Adla Al-Madahka
Ahmed Al-Enezi
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Amal Tawakuli
Dina El-Zohairy
Fahed Al-Rafidi
Fawaz Al-Maghribi
Haya Al-Qassar
Heba Rashwan
Husham Hindi
Mazyad Al-Masoud
Nada Al-Hudaid
Nawar Al-Kazemi
Noaf Hussein
Nuha Al-Fadli
Razan Sharaf
Rowena Al-Mutawa
Tasnim Saleh
Violla Bader

IEP Award:
Abdulrahman Saab
Fatema Sakit

English 099 Award:
Faten Al-Yanno
Noura Al-Subiei

Division of Humanities and Arts:
Abdulla Taki
Mariam Rafehi
Ghada Al-AbdulAaly
Sara Taha

Division of Social Sciences:
Bader Chammaa
Fatmah Al-Qadfan
Fahad Mohammad
Noura Al-Aleiwi

Division of Sciences:
Ebrahem Al-Hajri
Amal Tawakuli
Mohamed El-Kuishawi
Ala'a Al-Kadri

Division of Business and Economics:
Suheil Taye'a
Razan Sharaf
Mazyad Al-Masoud
Bushra Zaher

Organization Member of the Year:
Nizar Mashal
Sara Taha
Fahed Al-Rafidi

Organization of the Year:
SGA

Advisor of the Year:
Shareefa Al-Adwani

Student Leadership Award:
Noufa Al-Sabah
Jawaher Ali-Redha

Dean's Award:
Ala'a Ali-Reda

President's Award:
Jawaher Ali-Redha
 

A group photo of the recipients of the awards with Dr. Marina Tolmacheva

The President of AUK Dr. Marina Tolmacheva gives the opening speech

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

Dr. Shareef Abu Al Maati announces the winners of the Division of Sciences