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Dr. Al-Zu’bi shared his views on the speed at which technology is advancing. He explained that in order to make use of the ability to build nanomaterials atom by atom, theoretical modeling and simulations are essential, helping scientists to investigate many materials that do not exist naturally.
“Without theoretical modeling and simulations, it is nearly impossible to guess the stability of the structure of a nanomaterial with certain wanted properties. Nowadays, scientists decide what material we want to have with which properties. They create a theoretical model, simulate it, then inform the laboratories how to build it. Therefore, technological improvement is speeding up in an extraordinary way,” he stated.
Dr. Al-Zu’bi also talked about the diverse application of nanomaterials; they are used in spintronics devices, smartphones, thin flexible screens, building materials, pollution filters, artificial muscles, medicine, and drug delivery.
The event concluded with open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
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.
AUK students develop their capacity to apply technical and non-technical knowledge and skills in engineering, computer science, and information systems through the exceptional education the University offers.
Not only are the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) programs accredited by ABET, but the numbers also speak for themselves. Publishing nearly 96 scholarly articles, issuing 16 registered books, presenting in 277 conferences, and registering 8 patents and designs in the last 5 years, the CEAS faculty achievements reflect the high standard of education that AUK students receive.
Yousef AlHamad is one such student, having secured third place in the 10th Kuwait Collegiate Programming Contest (KCPC), he discussed how AUK has developed his understanding of the technologies he’s most passionate about which include computer hardware and software, game development, and coding. “AUK has aided me through its extracurricular activities and clubs, such as the KCPC event. There are also the electives that offer students other forms of programming and system architecture design,” he said.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge, the world’s largest hackathon introduced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is also another event that AUK students participated in. Reflecting on his experience and achievement of his team winning first place, Mustafa Ali Karkour said, “In 48 hours, AUK has held an amazing event to inspire space enthusiasts like us. My team and I competed in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and won 1st place at AUK! During the event, we touched on different challenges to explore the beauty of space before settling on the ‘On the Way to the Sun’ challenge. The challenge made us realize the difficulties NASA's astronauts/spacecraft face and how curiosity-driven they are. I had a great team with a diverse set of skills and with their contributions, we made it happen!”
The effects of the University’s progressive education remain with its students even after they graduate. Alumnus Ali Dashti ‘10 majored in information systems and won first place in the Microsoft competition, Imagine Cup 2009 in Dubai, which was the first title for AUK and Kuwait on a regional level. He reaffirmed that AUK, to him, is “more than an educational organization” and that the student life activities and events were an added value to his life and personal skills.
On the other hand, alumnus Nasser Bader Al-Ostath ’13 majored in computer engineering and obtained the CEH v9 certificate (Certified Ethical Hacker). He applied his advanced skills in hypnosis and conversational hypnosis to the field of social engineering, which is an essential field of security.
It is worth mentioning that the percentage of females in CEAS exceeds international rates. Alumna Yara AlQuorashy ’19 reflects AUK’s continuous advocacy for the inclusion of female engineers. AlQuorashy majored in computer engineering and minored in computer science. She competed in several programming competitions and earned various awards and certifications. Upon graduating, she went on to complete an internship at an international organization that focuses on “integrating innovative technological solutions to drive impact across the different divisions of the organization.”
AUK is dedicated to providing the necessary education that encourages the growth and knowledge of the next generation of pioneers and technologists.
Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi, Professor of History and International Relations at AUK, took part in a joint lecture with the former Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Moudhi Al-Humoud, entitled 'The Elite and Cultural Reform.' The lecture discussed the roles institutes of education and higher education in the Arab countries must play in providing young adults with information about their responsibilities towards their societies.
Dr. Al-Humoud discussed education systems in Arab countries and how they do not instill political awareness among students. She explained that students generally obtain political knowledge from social interactions with families, at parties or through the media. She added that political education should not be limited to information about elections, but must also educate young adults about respecting laws, respecting others, respecting the state and human rights, justice, compassion, and volunteerism.
"...that we must count on the elite to represent through the educational system," said Dr. Al-Humoud. Dr. Al-Humoud. identified the elite as being those who have influence on society. For his part, Dr. Al-Awadi emphasized the importance of empowering students in order to prosper in the 21st century. He argued that the meaning of 'elite' has changed, and is now different from what was traditionally considered in the Arab world during the fifties and sixties. According to Dr. Al-Awadi, in the past, the 'elite' was comprised of the older members of a society who came from a particular class, and were confined to the intellectual or political echelon. "Today, however, the elite might include a younger generation that are empowered by technology and social media and has real influence on a wider sector of society," he added.
Dr. Al-Awadi also spoke of the need to reform education and empower students with global knowledge and 21st century skills, highlighting seven key skills that Arab universities can train students to learn; and they include critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration across networks and leading, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, and curiosity and imagination.
Dr. Al-Awadi concluded that although the younger generation, the new elite, is empowered, they still need the experience and wisdom of the traditional elite; and it is with such a partnership that real progress can occur.
The event was organized by Huroof Cultural Center, and sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 22nd November 2016
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016
Al Mujeem, who graduated in the spring of 2022, submitted his project “Sharbaka” to AUK's annual capstone exhibition, where it was later selected and showcased again at the Tanween Exhibition alongside other capstone projects submitted from leading universities in Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Sharbaka, an Arabic term for a musical structure known as Idiophones (self-sounding instrument), is a Kuwait-based independent magazine featuring regional music and art, as well as a platform for curated Gulf music. The magazine aims to innovate and push forward novel ideas and content that speak to a generation of Arab Gulf creatives and creative communities abroad interested in the vernacular, culture, sound, and content of all art.
Expressing his gratitude, Al Mujeem reflected on the experience, "I want to express my deep gratitude to professors Rita and Ramy for always supporting me, even when I was at my lowest academic level. The amount of development that went into the capstone included in-depth research on Kuwaiti sea music and conversations with experts like Nabel Shuail who clarified misunderstandings about Kuwaiti record labels. I was pleased to discover that Tanween had selected my thesis project out of the many that had applied. In essence, AUK has been one of my greatest accomplishments by that reason I could never compare it to most other aspects of life.”
Professor Rita Merheb, assistant professor of graphic design, supervised the progress of the Sharbaka project and attended the Tanween exhibition and conference in Ithra. She explained why participating in this exhibition was very important for Hamad, the Department of Graphic Design, and the University in general, “Taking part in such an important international conference and exhibition, especially since our department is relatively new, serves as a testimony to our students’ hard work. It also gives the Department very good exposure in the region, and it puts us on equal grounds with other, much older and well-established art and graphic design departments in the region."
Chair of the Art and Graphic Design Department, William Andersen, stated, "I'm very proud of all of our graduating students' creativity and hard work, especially after a return to exhibiting their capstone projects in-person for the first time in two years. Hamad Al Mujeem's capstone project stood out for its intelligence and passion. I congratulate Hamad and wish him a bright future."
AUK’s graphic designers have a wide perspective that reflects the principles of practicality and resourcefulness that the University engrains in its students.
The managing partner of KPMG Kuwait, Dr. Rasheed Al-Qenae, walked students through the mission and vision of KPMG and their values. Directors of audit, managers of tax and corporate services, and the director of deal advisory discussed several points including the qualities of a good auditor, taxation in the GCC, and the advisory services KPMG offers.
Another presentation was also given to business majors and Finance Club members by AUK alumni Khalid Al-Mutawa and Kassem Makki. They both talked about their journey in KPMG after graduating from AUK and encouraged students to seize internship opportunities.
The program concluded with a short networking session with the speakers. A tour also took place of the facilities and services, offering students the opportunity to expand their knowledge outside the classroom setting.
Lea Calingasan, president of the Finance Club, commented on the benefits of having tours and visits of this caliber, “KPMG is the first company for our ‘Glimpse to the Corporate World’ series. We plan to collaborate and talk to other companies as we believe that in order for students to appreciate their major, they have to know, understand, and value their future roles in a workplace. Aside from this, one of the benefits of hosting this tour is the chance to network. Attendees will be exposed to company partners, department heads, and even AUK alumni who are current KPMG employees. This should be a great time to get inspiration, share ideas, ask, and bring up open-ended questions they might have about the business field and get answers directly from people who are working there.”
Visits as such give students the opportunity to gain experiences that will aid them in implementing their coursework material to their future professional careers.
Alumnus Jasim Al Harban was chosen by FIFA to direct one of the four FIFA World Cup 2022 soundtracks, titled “Arhbo.” Al Harban worked with international artists, drawing upon his expertise and experience within the film industry.
Furthermore, Floward, a business co-founded by alumna Taiba Al-Humaidhi, was appointed as an official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 licensee. This makes Floward the first company to be awarded this license in the flowers industry.
Abir Itani, director of the Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), expressed her pride towards AUK’s alumni, “We are thrilled to hear of the triumphs of our alumni in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Jassim and Taiba confirmed that achievements are not bound to one society but can drift worldwide. These successes play a vital role in developing our community and the world, thus supporting our alma mater. Once a Wolf Pack, always a Wolf Pack!”
AUK is dedicated to maintaining relationships and solidifying lifelong connections with its alumni, cultivating a community of mentors, pioneers, and advocates.
The workshop acknowledged major questions related to publication, research conduct, data management, and ethics of research. Dr. Alhuwail defined scientific research and discussed the research process, including how to determine the topic, design, and methodology.
Dr. Alhuwail emphasized the importance of publishing in authentic journals and disseminating the research in news and social media. He detailed what makes a successful researcher: having unique selling points, making the research distinctive, and increasing collaborations.
Workshops of this nature give the AUK community an opportunity to refine their knowledge from professionals to improve their research skills.
During the visit, members of AUKMUN presented their resolution toward having a sustainable country. The resolution was written about climate finance and tackled many sustainable development goals while focusing on implementing Cap and Trade in Kuwait.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was attended by AUKMUN board members: President Mariam Abusharkh, Vice President Heba Al Hooti, Secretary Abdulrahman AlAli, Treasurer Sabika AlBahar, Public Relations Suad AlBahar, and Deputy Secretary Mark Sargyous.
At the event, AUKMUN presented their resolution for the issue of climate finance to help them reach the UN 2030 sustainable development goals. "We thank the UN for giving us the enriching opportunity to participate in such a huge event. We look forward to discussing our resolutions further in the next event,” stated Abusharkh.
Commenting on AUKMUN’s involvement in these two events, the dean of student affairs, Hala Al Abdulrazzaq, stated, “This is an excellent opportunity for our students. We are proud of the professional involvement of AUKMUN and congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.”
AUK is highly committed to providing students with enriching experiences that prepare them for the contemporary world.
The women’s and men’s basketball teams won a streak of games thus far—a result indicative of their sportsmanship and skills. Also securing wins were the women’s futsal and men’s football teams.
The dean of student affairs, Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq, praised AUK’s athletic excellence, “Our teams always display exceptional sportsmanship and perseverance. I am extremely proud of each athlete and the supporting staff for their enthusiasm and dedication. The commitment that our athletes continue to show on a daily basis is both commendable and exemplary.”
Mohamad Al-Saleh, senior sports coordinator, expressed his pride at this year’s results so far, “We are proud to have such a high number of consecutive wins. The UAAK tournament serves as a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to get exposure and experience.”
The UAAK games are hosted in different universities, a number of which have been hosted in AUK’s campus. AUK’s huge athletic success is an outcome of the professional instruction received from qualified coaches and the campus community’s continuous support.
Hosted by AUK’s Counseling Center, Dr. Sarah Sease discussed students’ ability to deal with anxiety and building healthy mental health habits. She highlighted the importance of being able to identify barriers that prevent development. Dr. Sease also discussed how healthy mental habits warrant the implementation of everyday actions that are simple, yet effective.
Dr. Georges Chedid, director of the Counseling Center, commented on how this event reflects the Center’s mission to support students, “Providing students with the skills and space to build and maintain good mental health habits is one of the Counseling Center’s missions. It is our aim to provide students with personal counseling sessions, talks, and workshops that discuss mental health disorders so that they can begin their journey to maintaining healthy coping mechanisms and habits.”
Dr. Nicholas Scull was also hosted by the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) to discuss the role of professors in mentoring underperforming students, especially with anxiety disorders. Having worked as a U.S. licensed mental health provider for more than 20 years, Dr. Scull shared some insights on common anxiety disorders and how they are typically presented in the classroom. He provided practical tools to help students cope and discussed how to develop effective mentoring relationships with students.
Ms. Basema Dana, director of CTE, highlighted the importance of maintaining the relationship between professors and students, “AUK is committed to mutually beneficial professional relationships among all stakeholders within its community. This includes the most salient relationship between students and faculty. To this end, the role of AUK faculty members in mentoring students is the most important and potentially rewarding relationship that the institution fosters.”
Audiences of both talks included a high number of students and professors; a turnout that showcases the campus community’s readiness to learn about mental health. Both events concluded with open discussion and Q&A sessions.