News

Over the past two weekends AUK students, and some faculty/staff, participated in two major events in Kuwait:
(1) University Championship Cup
(2) Raft Race

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS

2nd Annual University Championship Cup --- AUK reclaims Title

The 2nd Annual University Championship Cup Finals Day took place on April 26th at the Australian College of Kuwait. The competition saw AUK, ACK, Arab Open University, GUST, & KU all participating with teams in competitions over an 8-week period.

AUK had five of eight teams competing in their respective Championship games on the final day (Ladies Basketball, Men's Table Tennis, Ladies Tennis, Men's Basketball, & Men's Volleyball). The results of which all contributed to the University Championship Cup Trophy to the university in Kuwait that has the strongest performance amongst all student athletic teams. AUK was defending the title they claimed in the inaugural year and managed to win the overall UCC trophy again by a 1 point margin.

University Championship Cup (Overall Standings)

1st Place = AUK 30 points
2nd Place = ACK 29 points
3rd Place = GUST 22 points

Individual Sport Results (AUK Teams Only)

Men's Basketball 1st Place
Ladies Basketball 2nd Place
Men's Volleyball 2nd Place
Ladies Volleyball 3rd Place

Men's soccer 4th Place
Ladies Soccer 3rd Place

Men's Table Tennis 2nd Place
Ladies Tennis 1st Place

Thank you to all of the students, faculty & staff who supported our student-athletes throughout the competition period.
 

AUK's Open Day Carnival took place on Thursday, May 3rd, with retail vendors, restaurants and entertainment facilities and kids' games sprawling all over the Salmiya campus. It was also a day for prospective students and their families to get acquainted with the admissions crew at the university and to see first-hand what the campus has to offer.

The event was organized collaboratively by student members and leaders of the Community Service Club, Business Club, Anime & Games Club and Student Government.

Admission to the event was free, and it was attended by 1500 people. All profit made on the day was donated to two charities: 70 percent was donated to Kuwait Handicapped Society, a local charity, with the remainder going to support victims of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan through the Oxfam International organization.

The event was a huge success and showed the organizational capabilities and leadership skills of the students of AUK who with the support of their institution, were able to plan and then fully implement a wonderful family event.
 

Following upon the numerous successful events organized by AUK, the Division of Business, Accounting and Economics hosts its key academic event the Second Liberal Arts Conference to be held at AUK over two days - May 15 and May 16, 2007. The theme of the conference is "Social and Cultural change in the Gulf". A review of the selected topics for presentation would indicate an exceptionally high standard of scholarly discourse making education a primary agent of change.

This conference is a must for anyone with an interest in education particularly liberal arts education, the evaluation of social and cultural change within the confines of a liberal arts education and the development of economies using lateral thinking associated with liberal arts education. The conference provides ample opportunities for researchers, decision makers, educators and students, to get together to network, form collaborations, share ideas, and debate the many issues raised by speakers and delegates. An active participation would go a long way to create an awareness, develop an esprit de corps which is so vitally important in rendering a meaningful service to the various stakeholders in education.

The Conference will be officially opened by the President of AUK, Dr Marina Tolmacheva on May 15, 2007 at 09h00. This will be followed by a keynote address by Dr Abigail Gray: "Retaining the Liberal Arts Student: Social and Academic Programming Needs at an "American" University in Kuwait".

The keynote address on the second day May 16, 2007 will be presented by Dr Rawda Awwad "Negotiating a Liberal Arts Praxis in Kuwait".

A short musical program will also be presented by our students under the guidance and direction of Dr Lisa Urkevich.

A cursory reading of the presentations shows a certain eloquence of diction and conviction and poetry at its best. You are all invited to become a part of this conference and to join us for dinner at 17h00 at the Diner and at the same time prepare for our Third Liberal Arts Conference "Togetherness at Work".

You may contact Ms Amal Hadeed by email (ahadeed@auk.edu.kw) or by telephone (802040 Extension 545).
 

On April 29, 2007, Dr. Conerly Casey and Dr. Juliet Dinkha presented a paper, Memory and Subjectivity among Kuwaiti Youths: Child Witnesses of the 1990 Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait at The Second Middle East and North Africa Regional Conference of Psychology in Amman, Jordan. Their findings suggest that Kuwaiti young adults continue to have intrusive images of tortured and mutilated bodies triggered by the 2003 U.S. War on Iraq, and either obsessive anxious vigilance about the War on Iraq or complete disengagement. Young adults feel increased anxiety and aggression, using drugs and alcohol to lessen these feelings. They also report insecurity and confusion about human accountability for the Iraqi invasion, increased mistrust, nationalism and ethnic chauvinism. The effects of trauma and the traumatic remembrances of their respondents reflect a convergence of veridical recall, socialization and enculturation, and the trans-generational transmission of trauma through Kuwaiti family and social interactions. Dr. Casey and Dr. Dinkha suggest that these entangled memory strands, personal and social, foster ongoing insecurity, mistrust, nationalism and ethnic chauvinism, requiring relief that individuals may need, as well as attention to social and political responses to trauma in Kuwait.

The paper presented by Dr. Casey and Dr. Dinkha was well-received, generating substantial interest in the social and cultural contexts of well-being, and in combining psychological and anthropological approaches to research on psychology in this region. The paper led to potential research collaborations with faculty at Kuwait University that will deepen existing knowledge of the relations of individual Kuwaitis to their social and cultural communities.

This was the second presentation of their collaborative research. On December 5, 2006, Dr. Casey and Dr. Dinkha presented a paper, Tense Pasts: The 1990 Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, Environmental Contaminants, and PTSD and Depression at Kuwait University's Third International Conference of the College of Social Sciences.

In addition to Dr. Casey's and Dr. Dinkha's presentation of their collaborative research, Dr. Dinkha presented two additional papers. Dr. Dinkha used symbolic interactionism as a framework in her paper, Foreign Workers in Kuwait: The Experience of Women Faculty, to explain the mechanisms students use in classroom settings to either perpetuate privilege systems and/or to influence the perceptions of others regarding the teaching and scholarship of women professors - especially those who are expatriate residents. Dr. Dinkha found that some students are particularly engaged in using privilege to devalue the professor and the academic process. Some are more engaged than others in using their sociopolitical position/s to exert power and authority over women faculty of color. Preliminary findings suggest that the dynamics of such relationships are stronger in Kuwait than in the United States as a result of differences in class structure and social welfare systems.

Dr. Dinkha presented a third paper (co-authored with her student Safaa Abdulhamid) titled How Identity Is Constructed: Analysis of Four Case Studies. Psychologists suggest that ethnic identity is a template through which people learn cultural knowledge, beliefs, norms, and expectations. Ethnic identity is a lens through which people perceive and define objects, situations, events, and other people. Dr. Dinkha's findings suggest that Kuwaiti young adults of mixed ethnic background create identities that incorporate values learned at home and in Kuwaiti communities in which they experience discrimination. Many suggest that they have created personal identities that help them to co-exist in Kuwait and to access basic resources such as education and healthcare, but have not been successful in forming identities that make them feel happy or proud of themselves.

Dr. Dinkha and Dr. Casey have agreed to participate in a collaborative book project that will be edited by Dr. Dinkha and Dr. Judy Kuriansky, representative of the International Association of Psychology to the United Nations. The book will combine psychological and anthropological approaches to the changing roles of women in the Middle East.
 

The Division of Business, Accounting and Economics at the American University of Kuwait hosts the 2nd Kuwait Liberal Arts Conference: Social and Cultural Change in the Gulf to be held at AUK on May 15 - 16, 2007.

Since the goal of the Division of Business, Accounting and Economics is to provide liberal arts and pre-professional education for undergraduate students that is grounded in scholarly excellence and to offer students the knowledge, understanding, analytical tools, and communication skills they need to become perceptive, reflective, and intellectually self-conscious citizens in a diverse and rapidly changing world, this conference brings together a larger and more diverse community of researchers and practitioners to advance the state of liberal arts education in the Gulf and to consider the social and cultural changes within this context. The conference runs two concurrent tracks over the two days plus a keynote speaker each day. The program consists of a presentation of 22 full scholarly papers and 1 full scale panel discussion. These are selected from a large number of submissions from all over the region.

For more details, contact Ms. Amal Hadeed ahadeed@auk.edu.kw or by telephone 802040 Extension 545.
 

US Ambassador Richard LeBaron, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Matthew Tueller, and approximately 15 members of the diplomatic corps recently hosted over 35 business communication students for the 3rd annual US Embassy-AUK Mentoring Day. To date, over 150 AUK business communication students have participated in the mentoring program. The US Embassy-AUK Mentoring Program is designed to forge meaningful relationships and capture the ideas and experiences of US Embassy professionals in a setting that motivates young business students to learn from the experience, wisdom, and vision of their mentors. The program develops leadership potential in business students and prepares them for the complex and highly competitive business world. The program goal is to nurture the personal and professional growth of young men and women at AUK through initiatives that instill in students a passion for life-long learning, academic excellence, professionalism, and leadership.

Opening comments on the importance of professional communication skills were provided by Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Matthew Tueller. Mr. Tueller is a member of the Senior Foreign Service. He assumed his current position as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait in July 2004. Prior to arrival in Kuwait, he was Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh where he also served as a political officer. Other recent Foreign Service assignments were Deputy Director for the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs in the Department of State and Chief of the U.S. Office in Aden. His other overseas assignments include London, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt. Mr. Tueller grew up in overseas posts in Europe, North Africa, and Latin America. He is a graduate of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

During the session, the US Embassy mentors worked one-to-one with students, providing expert review, guidance and feedback on their job skills and job search strategies. Students were encouraged to ask questions, seek clarification, and learn firsthand about the job roles and responsibilities of their mentors and the challenges of the workplace. According to the program director, Dr. Abigail Gray, "This program is one of the most anticipated events of the semester. We can talk about resumes, interviewing skills, and networking in class, but the mentors bring these concepts to life. We have an amazing group of about 20 mentors involved the program, with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. On behalf of the Business Communication students, I would like to extend a special thanks to Ambassador LeBaron for hosting us, to Mr. Tueller for providing such insightful opening comments, and to all of the mentors for serving as excellent role models." According to Dr. Gray, the students received a special surprise at the event when Ambassador LeBaron stopped by the session to welcome the students to the US Embassy, meet each of them, and personally answer any questions they might have about his career path. "We were very honored that Ambassador LeBaron stopped by, especially given his schedule. He talked with the students about his first job, and his comments reinforced the importance of demonstrating professionalism, responsibility, accountability, and integrity in everything you do in life, from one's very first job to one's current position. His message and his presence provided an excellent example of the value of both leadership and mentoring," Dr. Gray said.
 

AUK Business Communication Students Kristina Duwailova, Sara Al-Ajmi, and Abdulmohsen Al-Hashem with US Embassy Mentor Ghana Conord, Community Liaison Officer

AUK Business Communication Student Fahad Al-Farsi with US Embassy Mentor Tanya Anderson, Counselor of Public Affairs

AUK Business Communication students and US Embassy Mentors

AUK Business Communication Student Ali Al-Tukhaim with US Embassy Mentor Jonathan Turley, Political Officer

AUK was proud to present its first theatrical production in Kuwait on the 5th and 6th of April, 2007 the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah al-Maidan Cultural Centre Theatre. The team of enthusiastic students presented Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in a unique style and setting as never witnessed before. Set in 1898 Kuwait, the themes of love, marriage, and betrayal were explored with an undeniable flavor of Arabic culture. In short, the play was presented through the lens of history and culture in Kuwait while at the same time retaining Shakespeare's original plot and wit.

Directed by Christopher Gottschalk, Asstistant Professor of Humanities (Theatre & Drama) at AUK, the actors were comprised of students from different nationalities and backgrounds. Such diversity only enhanced the integration between the various cultures which make up the AUK student body. Undoubtedly, this production was an exciting new addition to arts and culture in Kuwait.

Cast: Omer Aly (Leonato), Jamila El Dajani (Antonia), Khalid Al Shammaa (Sheik Pedro), Yazan Al Zoubi (Benedick), Edmound Eid (Claudio), Yusuf Al Rashed (Sheik Jon), Ahmed Sakkijha (Borachio), Hassan Al Hassan (Conrade), Mona Hussain (Hero), Rama Sabano (Beatrice), Munira Al Anjari (Margaret), Mariam Rajehi (Ursala), Ali Al Tukhaim (Dogberry), and Yousef Nayef (Verges).
 

(From Left to right) Omer Aly, Jamila El Dajani, Rama Sabano, Mona Hussain, and Edmound Eid

Benedick (Yazin Al Zoubi) publicly seeks the affection of Beatrice (Rama Sabano)

(Left to Right) Mona Hussain, Rama Sabano, Omer Aly, and Jamila El Dajani

President Marina Tolmacheva recently traveled to Hanover to visit Dartmouth College for the first time during her tenure at AUK. Dr. Marina met with President James Wright, Provost Barry Scherr, and members of the Dartmouth-AUK working group.

With AUK-Dartmouth's Memorandum of Agreement up for renewal in 2008, President Tolmacheva said it was important to "lend an air of official administrative support on both sides."

Other official business included delivering an official invitation to Provost Barry Scherr requesting his participation as Keynote Speaker at AUK's upcoming Commencement Ceremony.

Two other AUK staffers were at Dartmouth at the same time. Librarians Anna Al-Omari and Hana Kaouri spent time at Dartmouth being mentored by Associate Librarian John James.

At the Dickey Center for International Understanding, President Tolmacheva gave a talk about Liberal Arts education in the Middle East. She highlighted the strengths and challenges of such a style of education in the region. She said that because the concept was unfamiliar, there is a difficulty in translating terms and concepts, and that although private universities were established as an alternative to government-run institutions, they are still tightly controlled by government.

Among attendees at her Dickey Center talk were past interns who had spent time at AUK, and a future intern who will be joining next fall.

She described Dartmouth College as having a pleasant location by the water, in a typical New England setting, where all life centered around the college.

Photo by Kawakahi Kaeo Amina, Dartmouth Class of 2009