News
23, Mar 2023
The American University of Kuwait and Dartmouth College Renew Partnership
AUK and Dartmouth College renewed their institutional partnership that promises to build on the success of a 20-year relationship. With this renewal, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to advancing liberal arts education and facilitating cross-cultural collaborations between faculty, students, and staff at both universities.
The partnership was signed by AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Dartmouth president, Dr. Philip Hanlon, at Darmouth with the attendance of AUK founder and chair of the board of trustees, Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; AUK executive vice president, Ms. Amal Al-Binali; executive director of the Dartmouth-AUK program and Ralph and Richard Lazarus professor of anthropology and human relations, Dr. Dale Eickelman; deputy director of the Dartmouth-AUK program, Ms. Kerry Laufer; professor of engineering at Dartmouth, Dr. Fridon Shubitidze; and professor of marketing at Dartmouth, Dr. Peter Golder.
Sheikha Dana highlighted the importance of this memorandum and how it lays the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship between the two esteemed academic institutions, “The signing of this MOU today signifies our shared dedication to continuing this partnership for many years to come. It is a testament to our mutual commitment to fostering academic excellence and promoting cultural understanding. We look forward to the many more fruitful collaborations that will arise from this partnership.”
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, shared the same sentiment, emphasizing how the memorandum signifies a substantial step towards international cooperation and academic excellence, “Over the years, our relationship has grown stronger and more meaningful. Through exchanges of faculty, students, and ideas, we have been able to broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world around us. This partnership has enriched the academic and cultural experiences of all involved and has opened doors to countless opportunities.”
Similarly, Dartmouth president, Dr. Philip Hanlon, affirmed the significance of this milestone, "I'm delighted to see our relationship with AUK continue and grow. There are so many benefits to be drawn from this partnership, both for our students and our faculty, and any opportunity for our respective institutions to tap into each other's talent is a win for us both."
Under the terms of the agreement, first signed in 2003, Dartmouth and AUK collaborated on numerous programs, including mutually-beneficial faculty and student exchanges. Dartmouth experts in engineering, information technology, library sciences, communications, the arts and sciences, university governance, and other fields regularly visit Kuwait and vice versa. Dartmouth also provides a wide range of administrative and academic consulting services to AUK.
“The document we are signing today strengthens the strong bonds we’ve forged over the last two decades. It paves the way for new initiatives,” said Dr. Eickelman. “We now have a thriving for-credit academic exchange program. We are also preparing to send a Dartmouth faculty member to AUK this spring as our first Fulbright specialist who will consult and teach a mini-course at AUK,” Eickelman added.
This renewal marks the fifth agreement signed over the course of a 20-year relationship. It represents a critical milestone in fostering a strong partnership that has yielded, and will continue to yield, significant benefits for both institutions.
The partnership was signed by AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Dartmouth president, Dr. Philip Hanlon, at Darmouth with the attendance of AUK founder and chair of the board of trustees, Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; AUK executive vice president, Ms. Amal Al-Binali; executive director of the Dartmouth-AUK program and Ralph and Richard Lazarus professor of anthropology and human relations, Dr. Dale Eickelman; deputy director of the Dartmouth-AUK program, Ms. Kerry Laufer; professor of engineering at Dartmouth, Dr. Fridon Shubitidze; and professor of marketing at Dartmouth, Dr. Peter Golder.
Sheikha Dana highlighted the importance of this memorandum and how it lays the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship between the two esteemed academic institutions, “The signing of this MOU today signifies our shared dedication to continuing this partnership for many years to come. It is a testament to our mutual commitment to fostering academic excellence and promoting cultural understanding. We look forward to the many more fruitful collaborations that will arise from this partnership.”
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, shared the same sentiment, emphasizing how the memorandum signifies a substantial step towards international cooperation and academic excellence, “Over the years, our relationship has grown stronger and more meaningful. Through exchanges of faculty, students, and ideas, we have been able to broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world around us. This partnership has enriched the academic and cultural experiences of all involved and has opened doors to countless opportunities.”
Similarly, Dartmouth president, Dr. Philip Hanlon, affirmed the significance of this milestone, "I'm delighted to see our relationship with AUK continue and grow. There are so many benefits to be drawn from this partnership, both for our students and our faculty, and any opportunity for our respective institutions to tap into each other's talent is a win for us both."
Under the terms of the agreement, first signed in 2003, Dartmouth and AUK collaborated on numerous programs, including mutually-beneficial faculty and student exchanges. Dartmouth experts in engineering, information technology, library sciences, communications, the arts and sciences, university governance, and other fields regularly visit Kuwait and vice versa. Dartmouth also provides a wide range of administrative and academic consulting services to AUK.
“The document we are signing today strengthens the strong bonds we’ve forged over the last two decades. It paves the way for new initiatives,” said Dr. Eickelman. “We now have a thriving for-credit academic exchange program. We are also preparing to send a Dartmouth faculty member to AUK this spring as our first Fulbright specialist who will consult and teach a mini-course at AUK,” Eickelman added.
This renewal marks the fifth agreement signed over the course of a 20-year relationship. It represents a critical milestone in fostering a strong partnership that has yielded, and will continue to yield, significant benefits for both institutions.
AUK founder and chair of the board of trustees, Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Dartmouth president, Dr. Philip Hanlon, signing the renewal of their institutional partnership
AUK and Dartmouth representatives
22, Mar 2023
AUK Professor Dr. Abulrahman Al-Farhan Gives Talk in KU
AUK assistant professor of Near & Middle Eastern Studies, and the chair of the department of Arabic and Foreign languages, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Farhan, presented a talk at Kuwait University (KU) as part of their Guest Speaker Series. The talk centered around Dr. Al-Farhan’s transition from business studies to the humanities, and his academic knowledge of Arabic prison literature.
During the lecture, Dr. Al-Farhan discussed Finnish education, which does not rely on separating scientific and literary specialties, but rather relies on studying different fields from multiple cognitive aspects in order to achieve deeper understanding. He also mentioned his personal experience, which included studying administrative sciences and obtaining high grades, but without passion.
Dr. Al-Farhan recounted his own story of later completing his postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom and the obstacles he overcame to achieve his goal. He explained that prison literature refers to writing that follows the experience of being incarcerated in an institution, noting that this trend began to emerge during the Arab Spring.
Emphasizing the importance of studying language, Dr. Al-Farhan said, "Graduates of language and literature have invaluable job opportunities in this day and age, especially in the future. Studying language and literature is important for understanding societal phenomena."
The importance of AUK faculty giving talks in other universities lies in the opportunities it creates for knowledge sharing, building relationships, professional development, and exposure to new ideas. By presenting their research and engaging with other academics and students, AUK faculty members continue to contribute to the advancement of their fields.
During the lecture, Dr. Al-Farhan discussed Finnish education, which does not rely on separating scientific and literary specialties, but rather relies on studying different fields from multiple cognitive aspects in order to achieve deeper understanding. He also mentioned his personal experience, which included studying administrative sciences and obtaining high grades, but without passion.
Dr. Al-Farhan recounted his own story of later completing his postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom and the obstacles he overcame to achieve his goal. He explained that prison literature refers to writing that follows the experience of being incarcerated in an institution, noting that this trend began to emerge during the Arab Spring.
Emphasizing the importance of studying language, Dr. Al-Farhan said, "Graduates of language and literature have invaluable job opportunities in this day and age, especially in the future. Studying language and literature is important for understanding societal phenomena."
The importance of AUK faculty giving talks in other universities lies in the opportunities it creates for knowledge sharing, building relationships, professional development, and exposure to new ideas. By presenting their research and engaging with other academics and students, AUK faculty members continue to contribute to the advancement of their fields.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Farhan
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Farhan during his talk
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22, Mar 2023
AUK Tutoring Center Receives CRLA Certification Renewal
AUK Tutoring Center has been renewed as a level 1 certified tutor training program by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).
For more than thirty years CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance, reading, and academic support programs with almost 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide. The Tutoring Center has worked hard to develop a tutor training program that meets CRLA’s rigorous standards and has successfully completed the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) peer review process.
Director of Learning Support Services at AUK, Ms. Hanouf Al-Juhail, commented on the significance of this certification, “Following an extensive preparation and application process, AUK’s Tutoring Center obtained CRLA’s ITTPC. The initial certification was an indication that the Center has met the internationally recognized academic and professional standards in its tutor training programs. This certification renewal process required a demonstration of the Center’s efforts in improving and developing the existing tutoring operations and academic standards.”
This accomplishment not only amplifies AUK’s Tutoring Center’s credibility as a valuable academic support resource to AUK’s student and faculty, but it also positions AUK as an institution with progressive learning centers in the region.
For more than thirty years CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance, reading, and academic support programs with almost 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide. The Tutoring Center has worked hard to develop a tutor training program that meets CRLA’s rigorous standards and has successfully completed the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) peer review process.
Director of Learning Support Services at AUK, Ms. Hanouf Al-Juhail, commented on the significance of this certification, “Following an extensive preparation and application process, AUK’s Tutoring Center obtained CRLA’s ITTPC. The initial certification was an indication that the Center has met the internationally recognized academic and professional standards in its tutor training programs. This certification renewal process required a demonstration of the Center’s efforts in improving and developing the existing tutoring operations and academic standards.”
This accomplishment not only amplifies AUK’s Tutoring Center’s credibility as a valuable academic support resource to AUK’s student and faculty, but it also positions AUK as an institution with progressive learning centers in the region.
CRLA Logo
20, Mar 2023
AUK Hosts Book Talk by Research Affiliate and Alumna
AUK hosted a book talk by AUK research affiliate and licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Juliet Dinkha, and AUK alumna and communications professional, Ms. Aya Abdulhadi. They discussed their newly released book, titled, “Navigating Social Identity: A Young Adult Story of Time.”
The AUK library co-hosted this event with the Office of Research and Grants’ Faculty Speaker Series (FSS). The event provided an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about their collaborative work.
The authors were introduced by Dr. Salime Smadi, associate professor of organizational behavior at the College of Business and Economics, and Ms. Asma Al Kanan, the University librarian at AUK, both of whom noted that the University was proud to host a former professor and a graduate back to campus to share their work.
Dr. Dinkha and Ms. Abdulhadi highlighted how their book explores the numerous aspects of young adult life; from media consumption to the effects of gender segregation in university life, altruism, social media habits, the effects of Western cultural imperialism on their body image, depression and coping skills, and most recently, the effects of having lived during a pandemic. The book is written with a storytelling approach that balances research findings along with the social aspect of identity.
Dr. Dinkha conveyed her delight at being back on campus, “Being back to AUK brought a lot of great memories for me. It was amazing meeting some of my students and colleagues. I missed the environment and the social support I had created for the last 17 years. Most of all, I missed the academic feel I had left behind. I look forward to coming back for more research talk.”
Ms. Abdulhadi expressed a similar viewpoint, “I was honored to be back on campus again, and this time as a guest speaker to talk about our newly published book, and not as an AUK student. It was great to connect again with my professors, mentors and friends, who came alongside my family to attend and support our book talk.”
The event attracted an audience of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests, ending with a Q&A session.
The AUK library co-hosted this event with the Office of Research and Grants’ Faculty Speaker Series (FSS). The event provided an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about their collaborative work.
The authors were introduced by Dr. Salime Smadi, associate professor of organizational behavior at the College of Business and Economics, and Ms. Asma Al Kanan, the University librarian at AUK, both of whom noted that the University was proud to host a former professor and a graduate back to campus to share their work.
Dr. Dinkha and Ms. Abdulhadi highlighted how their book explores the numerous aspects of young adult life; from media consumption to the effects of gender segregation in university life, altruism, social media habits, the effects of Western cultural imperialism on their body image, depression and coping skills, and most recently, the effects of having lived during a pandemic. The book is written with a storytelling approach that balances research findings along with the social aspect of identity.
Dr. Dinkha conveyed her delight at being back on campus, “Being back to AUK brought a lot of great memories for me. It was amazing meeting some of my students and colleagues. I missed the environment and the social support I had created for the last 17 years. Most of all, I missed the academic feel I had left behind. I look forward to coming back for more research talk.”
Ms. Abdulhadi expressed a similar viewpoint, “I was honored to be back on campus again, and this time as a guest speaker to talk about our newly published book, and not as an AUK student. It was great to connect again with my professors, mentors and friends, who came alongside my family to attend and support our book talk.”
The event attracted an audience of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests, ending with a Q&A session.
From left to right: Dr. Juliet Dinkha and Ms. Aya Abdulhadi
From left to right: Ms. Aya Abdulhadi and Dr. Juliet Dinkha
Group photo of organizers with Dr. Juliet Dinkha and Ms. Aya Abdulhadi
15, Mar 2023
AUK Launches Official Podcast: AUK Talks
AUK launched its official educational podcast, AUK Talks that will provide valuable insights and discussions on a variety of topics that further complement the liberal arts philosophy that is promoted in the University. The podcast will feature experts, educators, students, and leaders from a range of fields.
The first podcast episode was hosted by AUK associate professor of international relations, Dr. Dmytro Roman Kulchitsky who interviewed H.E Ambassador Nabeela Al-Mulla to discuss her career in diplomacy.
The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in education as it fosters dialogue and the sharing of knowledge. It is also a strong reflection of AUK’s commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.
AUK Talks can be accessed as a video here, and as audio on all major podcast platforms.
H.E Ambassador Nabeela Al-Mulla and Dr. Dmytro Roman Kulchitsky
14, Mar 2023
AUK Concludes Sponsorship of 26th Annual Conference and Exhibition - Special Libraries Association
AUK has concluded its sponsorship of the 26th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Special Libraries Association (SLA)—Arabian Gulf Chapter (AGC). The conference was attended by AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, and University Librarian, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan, including prominent researchers within the Gulf region.
SLA is a non-profit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other specialized settings. The theme of this year’s conference was “Emerging Technologies and their Applications in Libraries and Information Institutions.”
Ms. Asma Al-Kanan explained that AUK is keen on sponsoring conferences that contribute to the development of scientific research. “The Special Libraries Association has been providing wonderful opportunities for academics and library professionals in the GCC with over 25 years of commitment and accomplishments. It is not uncommon for AUK to support such organizations as both share the common goals of facilitating learning, professional growth, and knowledge exchange,” she stated.
In his opening speech for the conference, the president of the association, Mr. Rashid AlBaik, stated that Kuwait is ahead in hosting conferences that contribute to the development of scientific research, pointing out that the conference brings together several professionals and academics specialized in the field of information sciences. He highlighted how this gives them an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and learn about the latest developments in the field. He also expressed his gratitude towards AUK for its support of the conference.
The head of the organizing committee and President-elect, Ms. Seham Al-Ostath, confirmed that this year's conference is a fruitful collaboration with prestigious academic and research institutions in the country, namely the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and AUK.
Of equal importance, the keynote speaker at the conference, Dr. Anwar Al-Harbi, discussed the applications of artificial intelligence in libraries and data and information centers, indicating that digital transformation is inevitable and involves the use of emerging technologies in providing services within information institutions.
The University also participated in the conference exhibition, introducing the research community to the Oral History Documentation Project (OHDP) which provides valuable sources for researchers by documenting important historical events. Many researchers inquired about the OHDP interviews—a significant turnout that reflects the importance of the project.
AUK’s commitment to sponsoring conferences as such reflects its dedication to advancing knowledge and supporting the scientific community, playing a vital role in shaping the future of scientific research.
SLA is a non-profit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other specialized settings. The theme of this year’s conference was “Emerging Technologies and their Applications in Libraries and Information Institutions.”
Ms. Asma Al-Kanan explained that AUK is keen on sponsoring conferences that contribute to the development of scientific research. “The Special Libraries Association has been providing wonderful opportunities for academics and library professionals in the GCC with over 25 years of commitment and accomplishments. It is not uncommon for AUK to support such organizations as both share the common goals of facilitating learning, professional growth, and knowledge exchange,” she stated.
In his opening speech for the conference, the president of the association, Mr. Rashid AlBaik, stated that Kuwait is ahead in hosting conferences that contribute to the development of scientific research, pointing out that the conference brings together several professionals and academics specialized in the field of information sciences. He highlighted how this gives them an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and learn about the latest developments in the field. He also expressed his gratitude towards AUK for its support of the conference.
The head of the organizing committee and President-elect, Ms. Seham Al-Ostath, confirmed that this year's conference is a fruitful collaboration with prestigious academic and research institutions in the country, namely the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and AUK.
Of equal importance, the keynote speaker at the conference, Dr. Anwar Al-Harbi, discussed the applications of artificial intelligence in libraries and data and information centers, indicating that digital transformation is inevitable and involves the use of emerging technologies in providing services within information institutions.
The University also participated in the conference exhibition, introducing the research community to the Oral History Documentation Project (OHDP) which provides valuable sources for researchers by documenting important historical events. Many researchers inquired about the OHDP interviews—a significant turnout that reflects the importance of the project.
AUK’s commitment to sponsoring conferences as such reflects its dedication to advancing knowledge and supporting the scientific community, playing a vital role in shaping the future of scientific research.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, during the opening ceremony
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, receiving a plaque from Mr. Rashid AlBaik
From left to right: Ms. Seham Al-Ostath, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan, and Dr. Rawda Awwad
Dr. Rawda Awwad during the exhibition
AUK’s booth in the exhibition
SLA attendees
13, Mar 2023
AUK HR Department Launches New Activities
AUK Human Resources Department (HR) continues to launch initiatives that promote wellness and healthy daily habits. In line with their “Together We Grow Healthier” campaign, the HR Department organized an AUK bowling event that was open to all employees and their families.
Held in the Kuwait Bowling Sporting Club, the event was attended by a significant number of AUK faculty and staff with their dependents and families. This initiative not only encouraged physical activity through friendly bowling competitions, but also provided a unique opportunity for colleagues to come together, network, and build relationships.
Commenting on the success of the event, HR director, Paul Bassil, stated, "We were absolutely thrilled to host this event for our employees. It was a great opportunity for everyone to come together outside of the office and have some fun. The turnout was great, and it was truly a memorable evening."
The AUK HR Department has long been responsible for creating and implementing programs that promote employee engagement, productivity, and well-being. They have previously launched the “Wellness Through Mindfulness” workshop which provided staff exercises and practices that can be done at their desks to refresh their day, a cheese tasting workshop that was exclusive to campus directors and served as an opportunity to develop AUK’s workplace culture, and a bootcamp in collaboration with the Office of Student Life to encourage physical activity.
The Department’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment is reflected in the numerous programs and initiatives it has launched over the years. From professional development opportunities to health and wellness programs, the HR Department consistently demonstrates its dedication to the overall well-being and growth of the University’s employees.
Held in the Kuwait Bowling Sporting Club, the event was attended by a significant number of AUK faculty and staff with their dependents and families. This initiative not only encouraged physical activity through friendly bowling competitions, but also provided a unique opportunity for colleagues to come together, network, and build relationships.
Commenting on the success of the event, HR director, Paul Bassil, stated, "We were absolutely thrilled to host this event for our employees. It was a great opportunity for everyone to come together outside of the office and have some fun. The turnout was great, and it was truly a memorable evening."
The AUK HR Department has long been responsible for creating and implementing programs that promote employee engagement, productivity, and well-being. They have previously launched the “Wellness Through Mindfulness” workshop which provided staff exercises and practices that can be done at their desks to refresh their day, a cheese tasting workshop that was exclusive to campus directors and served as an opportunity to develop AUK’s workplace culture, and a bootcamp in collaboration with the Office of Student Life to encourage physical activity.
The Department’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment is reflected in the numerous programs and initiatives it has launched over the years. From professional development opportunities to health and wellness programs, the HR Department consistently demonstrates its dedication to the overall well-being and growth of the University’s employees.
HR director, Paul Bassil
Wellness Through Mindfulness workshop attendees
General photos of the bowling event
General photos of the bowling event
12, Mar 2023
AUK Hosts Eighth Talk of Faculty Speaker Series
AUK hosted the eighth talk of the Faculty Speaker Series (FSS) online entitled, Music and the Liberal Arts, presented by Professor Theodore Levin, the chair of the Music Department at Dartmouth College.
Dr. Levin shared his views on music being an all-encompassing field. He discussed how music is a multidisciplinary art form that involves a range of fields that include arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy. He also highlighted how music should be addressed in university curricular and research projects through the prism of multiple disciplines that range across the liberal arts, showcasing the extent to which music is all-inclusive.
“The idea that music should be grouped together with math and science in the quadrivium, which you could think of as antiquity's way of representing what we now call STEM disciplines, seems counterintuitive in today's world, where the practice of music is universally understood as a domain of the arts, while music history, music theory, and music criticism belong firmly to the humanities. But, as I'm guessing you already know, the notion of music as a science flourished not only in Western Antiquity but also in the Middle East and Central Asia, in particular during the so-called Golden Age of Islam centered in Baghdad, the cultural center of the medieval Muslim world, and later, in Herat, Samarkand, and Bukhara under the Timurids. There, the so-called science of music was invariably one of the topics addressed by the medieval polymaths who made significant contributions to the ongoing development of domains of knowledge transmitted through textual sources from Antiquity,” he stated.
AUK and Dartmouth College were used as references by Dr. Levin upon discussing the prospect of providing a liberal arts education to students, illustrating their shared values and vision. The event concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
Dr. Levin’s FSS lecture showcased how the Dartmouth-AUK partnership facilitates the sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise between the two institutions, allowing students and faculty to learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences.
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Dr. Levin shared his views on music being an all-encompassing field. He discussed how music is a multidisciplinary art form that involves a range of fields that include arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy. He also highlighted how music should be addressed in university curricular and research projects through the prism of multiple disciplines that range across the liberal arts, showcasing the extent to which music is all-inclusive.
“The idea that music should be grouped together with math and science in the quadrivium, which you could think of as antiquity's way of representing what we now call STEM disciplines, seems counterintuitive in today's world, where the practice of music is universally understood as a domain of the arts, while music history, music theory, and music criticism belong firmly to the humanities. But, as I'm guessing you already know, the notion of music as a science flourished not only in Western Antiquity but also in the Middle East and Central Asia, in particular during the so-called Golden Age of Islam centered in Baghdad, the cultural center of the medieval Muslim world, and later, in Herat, Samarkand, and Bukhara under the Timurids. There, the so-called science of music was invariably one of the topics addressed by the medieval polymaths who made significant contributions to the ongoing development of domains of knowledge transmitted through textual sources from Antiquity,” he stated.
AUK and Dartmouth College were used as references by Dr. Levin upon discussing the prospect of providing a liberal arts education to students, illustrating their shared values and vision. The event concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
Dr. Levin’s FSS lecture showcased how the Dartmouth-AUK partnership facilitates the sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise between the two institutions, allowing students and faculty to learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences.
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Dr. Theodore Levin
12, Mar 2023
Dr. Iyad Authors Chapter in Book Published by Elsevier
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush, professor of computer science and information systems at AUK, authored, with a group of researchers, the “Metaheuristics for optimizing weights in neural networks” chapter in the book titled, “Comprehensive Metaheuristics: Algorithms and Applications.”
Published by Elsevier, the book description reads as follows, “Comprehensive Metaheuristics: Algorithms and Applications presents the foundational underpinnings of metaheuristics and a broad scope of algorithms and real-world applications across a variety of research fields. The book starts with fundamentals, mathematical prerequisites, and conceptual approaches to provide readers with a solid foundation. After presenting multi-objective optimization, constrained optimization, and problem formation for metaheuristics, world-renowned authors give readers in-depth understanding of the full spectrum of algorithms and techniques. Scientists, researchers, academicians, and practitioners who are interested in optimizing a process or procedure to achieve a goal will benefit from the case studies of real-world applications from different domains. The book takes a much-needed holistic approach, putting the most widely used metaheuristic algorithms together with an in-depth treatise on multi-disciplinary applications of metaheuristics. Each algorithm is thoroughly analyzed to observe its behavior, providing a detailed tutorial on how to solve problems using metaheuristics. New case studies and research problem statements are also discussed, which will help researchers in their application of the concepts.”
The chapter investigates the use of metaheuristic algorithms to improve the feedforward neural network multilayer perceptron performance by choosing promising values of weights and biases. This can improve the neural network prediction accuracy.
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush received his PhD from New Mexico State University in 2009. He joined AUK in 2016. In 2018, he joined the Dartmouth-AUK Fellowship Program; his research focused on optimizing algorithms for real-world problems. He also serves as the founding director of the Office of Research and Grants at AUK.
This accomplishment is a testament to AUK’s faculty and the standard of education that the University offers. Through publishing research in a book of this caliber, AUK’s faculty continue to promote academic excellence, instilling values of professionalism and lifelong learning in students.
Published by Elsevier, the book description reads as follows, “Comprehensive Metaheuristics: Algorithms and Applications presents the foundational underpinnings of metaheuristics and a broad scope of algorithms and real-world applications across a variety of research fields. The book starts with fundamentals, mathematical prerequisites, and conceptual approaches to provide readers with a solid foundation. After presenting multi-objective optimization, constrained optimization, and problem formation for metaheuristics, world-renowned authors give readers in-depth understanding of the full spectrum of algorithms and techniques. Scientists, researchers, academicians, and practitioners who are interested in optimizing a process or procedure to achieve a goal will benefit from the case studies of real-world applications from different domains. The book takes a much-needed holistic approach, putting the most widely used metaheuristic algorithms together with an in-depth treatise on multi-disciplinary applications of metaheuristics. Each algorithm is thoroughly analyzed to observe its behavior, providing a detailed tutorial on how to solve problems using metaheuristics. New case studies and research problem statements are also discussed, which will help researchers in their application of the concepts.”
The chapter investigates the use of metaheuristic algorithms to improve the feedforward neural network multilayer perceptron performance by choosing promising values of weights and biases. This can improve the neural network prediction accuracy.
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush received his PhD from New Mexico State University in 2009. He joined AUK in 2016. In 2018, he joined the Dartmouth-AUK Fellowship Program; his research focused on optimizing algorithms for real-world problems. He also serves as the founding director of the Office of Research and Grants at AUK.
This accomplishment is a testament to AUK’s faculty and the standard of education that the University offers. Through publishing research in a book of this caliber, AUK’s faculty continue to promote academic excellence, instilling values of professionalism and lifelong learning in students.
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush
07, Mar 2023
Dartmouth Fellowship Granted to AUK Faculty Dr. Andrei Zavaliy
Upon the recommendation of the Committee on Research and Grants (CRG) at Dartmouth College, the Dartmouth Fellowship has been granted to Dr. Andrei Zavaliy, professor of philosophy, at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the American University of Kuwait (AUK).
Dr. Zavaliy will be completing an ongoing book project entitled “Development of Moral Guilt in the Ancient Greek Ethos: Shame, Regret and Remorse” which explores the origin of fundamental ethical notions such as moral guilt and conscience.
The primary sponsor and supervisor for this book project is Dr. Margaret R. Graver, the chair of the Department of Classics at Dartmouth College. Dr. Graver is a member of the Classical Studies society, the Society of Ancient Greek Philosophy, and a recipient of multiple awards and other recognitions in her field.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, commented on the significance of this fellowship, “Our mutual commitment to the liberal arts, academic excellence and life-long learning has sustained and solidified this relationship for almost an entire generation. By prioritizing these educational values, our continued partnership with Dartmouth is a powerful mechanism through which we nurture international collaboration, innovation and understanding, while it also fosters a sense of continuity and predictability especially in an educational landscape that will be characterized by rapid change. We are, therefore, exceptionally pleased of the AUK faculty’s selection of Dr. Andrei Zavaliy for the twelfth annual Dartmouth-AUK Fellowship at Dartmouth College. The program promotes research collaborations between faculty members at the two institutions and is one of several research and inter-institutional related initiatives that are currently ongoing.”
The fellowship program will run for 8 weeks in the summer of 2022, from June to August.
Dr. Zavaliy detailed his approach for this program, “The scope of my research goes far beyond the strictly philosophical source materials. In order to understand the dominant attitudes of people who are so far removed from our own society, both culturally and temporally, it is a prerequisite to take into account all available evidence. I heavily rely on the available poetic, historical, oratorical and philosophical materials when drawing the conclusions about the mindset of the ancients during a particular period.”
The Dartmouth Fellowship fosters a significant research output from its AUK recipients and presents a unique professional development opportunity for members of the University's scholarly community.
Over the course of two decades, Dartmouth and AUK have utilized their partnership through collaborations on research, joint initiatives, mutual trust and the sharing of resources and expertise. The Dartmouth-AUK partnership has forged powerful connections with both students and faculty from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
Dr. Zavaliy will be completing an ongoing book project entitled “Development of Moral Guilt in the Ancient Greek Ethos: Shame, Regret and Remorse” which explores the origin of fundamental ethical notions such as moral guilt and conscience.
The primary sponsor and supervisor for this book project is Dr. Margaret R. Graver, the chair of the Department of Classics at Dartmouth College. Dr. Graver is a member of the Classical Studies society, the Society of Ancient Greek Philosophy, and a recipient of multiple awards and other recognitions in her field.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, commented on the significance of this fellowship, “Our mutual commitment to the liberal arts, academic excellence and life-long learning has sustained and solidified this relationship for almost an entire generation. By prioritizing these educational values, our continued partnership with Dartmouth is a powerful mechanism through which we nurture international collaboration, innovation and understanding, while it also fosters a sense of continuity and predictability especially in an educational landscape that will be characterized by rapid change. We are, therefore, exceptionally pleased of the AUK faculty’s selection of Dr. Andrei Zavaliy for the twelfth annual Dartmouth-AUK Fellowship at Dartmouth College. The program promotes research collaborations between faculty members at the two institutions and is one of several research and inter-institutional related initiatives that are currently ongoing.”
The fellowship program will run for 8 weeks in the summer of 2022, from June to August.
Dr. Zavaliy detailed his approach for this program, “The scope of my research goes far beyond the strictly philosophical source materials. In order to understand the dominant attitudes of people who are so far removed from our own society, both culturally and temporally, it is a prerequisite to take into account all available evidence. I heavily rely on the available poetic, historical, oratorical and philosophical materials when drawing the conclusions about the mindset of the ancients during a particular period.”
The Dartmouth Fellowship fosters a significant research output from its AUK recipients and presents a unique professional development opportunity for members of the University's scholarly community.
Over the course of two decades, Dartmouth and AUK have utilized their partnership through collaborations on research, joint initiatives, mutual trust and the sharing of resources and expertise. The Dartmouth-AUK partnership has forged powerful connections with both students and faculty from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy
