News
17, Nov 2021
AUK Distinguished Lecturer H.E. Nabeela Al-Mulla in UNIDIR and UN Women in panel discussion
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and UN Women organized a panel discussion entitled “Advancing the Role of Women in International Security: Views from the Middle East” to discuss the progress towards gender equality in this field in the Middle East.
The panel was organized as a side event of the First Committee of the United Nations on 27 October 2021.
H.E. Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, former Ambassador of the State of Kuwait and distinguished lecturer at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) spoke about her experience in international security which was unique at the time and the current progress in greater participation by women in this field. She emphasised the importance of participation by women in making decisions in areas affecting their professional and private lives.
H.E. Ms. Leena Al-Hadid, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna took part in the panel discussion. Taking part also were H.E. Ms. Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN in New York and Ms. Mona Ali Khalil, Director of MAK Law International.
Participants in the panel were in agreement that there is room for more progress towards women’s participation in the field of international security and other diplomatic roles in support for gender equality in the Middle East.
The panel was organized as a side event of the First Committee of the United Nations on 27 October 2021.
H.E. Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, former Ambassador of the State of Kuwait and distinguished lecturer at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) spoke about her experience in international security which was unique at the time and the current progress in greater participation by women in this field. She emphasised the importance of participation by women in making decisions in areas affecting their professional and private lives.
H.E. Ms. Leena Al-Hadid, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna took part in the panel discussion. Taking part also were H.E. Ms. Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN in New York and Ms. Mona Ali Khalil, Director of MAK Law International.
Participants in the panel were in agreement that there is room for more progress towards women’s participation in the field of international security and other diplomatic roles in support for gender equality in the Middle East.
H.E. Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, former Ambassador of the State of Kuwait and distinguished lecturer at AUK
17, Nov 2021
AUK Pioneers Teqball as a University Sport
AUK announced the official enlistment of Teqball as a sport at the University. Becoming the first university in Kuwait to have Teqball listed as an official sport, the announcement was made with the presence of the official committee of Teqball in Kuwait along with the vice president for student affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar; director of the Office of Student Life, Shirley Sullivan; and senior sports coordinator, Mohammad Al-Saleh. Teqball matches are set to begin during the fall 2021 semester.
Commenting on the new athletic addition, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar said, “AUK has always been ahead of the game and a leader in launching and adopting new and engaging sports and activities for its students, and this new partnership truly endorses this. Congratulations to our Student Life’s sports program; we at AUK are confident in our sports members and Wolf Pack and wish them the very best.”
Teqball is a football-based sport, played on a curved table (the Teq table), which is attracting a new generation of athletes and amateur enthusiasts whose ambition is to develop their technical skills, concentration, and stamina. Teqball is played between two (singles) or four players (doubles), irrespective of gender.
Commenting on the new athletic addition, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar said, “AUK has always been ahead of the game and a leader in launching and adopting new and engaging sports and activities for its students, and this new partnership truly endorses this. Congratulations to our Student Life’s sports program; we at AUK are confident in our sports members and Wolf Pack and wish them the very best.”
Teqball is a football-based sport, played on a curved table (the Teq table), which is attracting a new generation of athletes and amateur enthusiasts whose ambition is to develop their technical skills, concentration, and stamina. Teqball is played between two (singles) or four players (doubles), irrespective of gender.
Showing
10 Articles
of 1461
08, Nov 2021
AUK Students Participate in Kuwait Collegiate Programming Contest
Two teams composed of six students from the College of Engineering and Sciences (CEAS) at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) ranked 3rd and 4th place in the 9th Kuwait Collegiate Programming Contest (KCPC). The contest was held at the Arab Open University (AOU) in which 27 teams from different Kuwaiti public and private universities competed, including, Kuwait University, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Arab Open University, Kuwait Technical College, and Kuwait College of Science & Technology.
The students representing AUK were coached by Mrs. Dima Aburshaid, senior instructor at CEAS. The team members who ranked 3rd and won the bronze are: Yousef AlHamad, Fahad Kalloush, and Reem El-Sabaa. They solved a total of 3 challenges that were assigned to the competitors. In 4th place were David Liang, Reem Qasem, and Bader Al-Otaibi, who solved 2 challenges. The 3rd place winners have qualified to the Arab and Africa Regional Contest (ACPC) which was held at Luxor, Egypt. Commenting on the significance of students participating in activities outside the classroom, Mrs. Dima said, “Taking part in these competitions provides the students with the unique chance to learn in a competitive yet collaborative environment that cannot be achieved in a regular classroom. It enriches the students' knowledge and provides extracurricular work at the foundation of their education.”
In 2010, AUK initiated and hosted the first KCPC which later became a qualifying round to ACPC, a regional subsect in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC)—the world's oldest and largest collegiate programming contest where hundreds of students compete from all around the world. Students compete in teams of 3, using one computer for 5 hours, trying to solve complex real-world problems.
The students representing AUK were coached by Mrs. Dima Aburshaid, senior instructor at CEAS. The team members who ranked 3rd and won the bronze are: Yousef AlHamad, Fahad Kalloush, and Reem El-Sabaa. They solved a total of 3 challenges that were assigned to the competitors. In 4th place were David Liang, Reem Qasem, and Bader Al-Otaibi, who solved 2 challenges. The 3rd place winners have qualified to the Arab and Africa Regional Contest (ACPC) which was held at Luxor, Egypt. Commenting on the significance of students participating in activities outside the classroom, Mrs. Dima said, “Taking part in these competitions provides the students with the unique chance to learn in a competitive yet collaborative environment that cannot be achieved in a regular classroom. It enriches the students' knowledge and provides extracurricular work at the foundation of their education.”
In 2010, AUK initiated and hosted the first KCPC which later became a qualifying round to ACPC, a regional subsect in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC)—the world's oldest and largest collegiate programming contest where hundreds of students compete from all around the world. Students compete in teams of 3, using one computer for 5 hours, trying to solve complex real-world problems.
Images from the event
08, Nov 2021
VPSA Hanan Muzaffar Translates The Salt Path
AUK’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar published a translation of the book, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. A former member of the Ibdaat Alamiya editorial board at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL), Dr. Hanan sought to translate the English book to Arabic to further expand readership to Arabic speakers.
The book is about the importance of walking, connecting with nature, and about the state of homelessness in the UK. In its autobiographical nature, it is both an invitation to look into one’s life and reassess one’s priorities, and in its attention to the importance of connecting with nature and on physical movement, it is useful for a new generation that is gradually losing touch with nature in their involvement with city life and technology.
Describing her experience in translating this book, Dr. Hanan said, “I find pleasure in translation. It opens a new level of engagement with the book where you are no longer just a reader, but also a writer, and even a character in the book. Translation challenges me to learn how to navigate between different cultures, a skill required in any vocation, but especially so in my work with students at a University that prides itself with the diversity of its students. What adds to the pleasure of translating this book, as was the case with the previous book, is the beautiful nature it describes, despite what appears at the beginning as a melancholic tale of extraordinary suffering, providing us with an end result in a beautiful description of the nature of the earth, and also of human nature.”
The book is available at the AUK library and in the NCCAL publications website.
The book is about the importance of walking, connecting with nature, and about the state of homelessness in the UK. In its autobiographical nature, it is both an invitation to look into one’s life and reassess one’s priorities, and in its attention to the importance of connecting with nature and on physical movement, it is useful for a new generation that is gradually losing touch with nature in their involvement with city life and technology.
Describing her experience in translating this book, Dr. Hanan said, “I find pleasure in translation. It opens a new level of engagement with the book where you are no longer just a reader, but also a writer, and even a character in the book. Translation challenges me to learn how to navigate between different cultures, a skill required in any vocation, but especially so in my work with students at a University that prides itself with the diversity of its students. What adds to the pleasure of translating this book, as was the case with the previous book, is the beautiful nature it describes, despite what appears at the beginning as a melancholic tale of extraordinary suffering, providing us with an end result in a beautiful description of the nature of the earth, and also of human nature.”
The book is available at the AUK library and in the NCCAL publications website.
AUK’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar
03, Nov 2021
AUK Inaugurates Masterclass Series for Fall 2021 with Ahmed Shihab-Eldin
The American University of Kuwait (AUK)’s Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs recently hosted its first session of its Masterclass Series featuring Emmy-nominated journalist, former reporter and producer for Al-Jazeera English, the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and PBS producer, and actor, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin. The Masterclass Series which was introduced for the first time in the fall of 2020, is led by expert speakers in their respective fields who share their skill, passion, and journey with students in an interactive way.
During his talk, Shihab-Eldin described the connection between storytelling and journalism in reshaping perceptions among societies. He bridged the concept with the modern power of social media that amplifies people’s voices around the world and enables news to travel fast—a feature which is not always positive in the world of journalism as it can be the cause of misinformation. He went on to highlight journalistic ethics regarding objectivity and not letting emotions and opinions influence news reporting, and concluded the talk with the importance of reading and getting access to information to stay updated with current events.
The event closed with a word of thanks from AUK Student Life staff members Lama Abdo, AUK events coordinator, and Fay Al-Humoud AUK senior student life coordinator.
“This event was not only educational in shedding light on journalism, but it was absolutely inspirational,” said Shirley Sullivan, director of Student Life, while honoring the speaker Ahmed Shihab-Eldin with a token of appreciation.
During his talk, Shihab-Eldin described the connection between storytelling and journalism in reshaping perceptions among societies. He bridged the concept with the modern power of social media that amplifies people’s voices around the world and enables news to travel fast—a feature which is not always positive in the world of journalism as it can be the cause of misinformation. He went on to highlight journalistic ethics regarding objectivity and not letting emotions and opinions influence news reporting, and concluded the talk with the importance of reading and getting access to information to stay updated with current events.
The event closed with a word of thanks from AUK Student Life staff members Lama Abdo, AUK events coordinator, and Fay Al-Humoud AUK senior student life coordinator.
“This event was not only educational in shedding light on journalism, but it was absolutely inspirational,” said Shirley Sullivan, director of Student Life, while honoring the speaker Ahmed Shihab-Eldin with a token of appreciation.
31, Oct 2021
AUK Faculty Promoted
It is with great pleasure that AUK recognizes 5 faculty promotions for this year, effective October 1, 2021. These promotions were earned based on outstanding performance and excellence, and demonstrated our faculty talent and dedication in teaching, research, and service to the institution. We are proud to present to you the following faculty who were approved for promotion following a comprehensive and independent evaluation of their dossiers:
Promotion to Professor
Dr. Iyad Aboudoush, Computer Science and Information Systems, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy, Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
Promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Angelica DeAngelis, English, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katherine Hennessey, English, College of Arts and Sciences
Promotion to Senior Instructor
Ms. Sherrie Smith, Intensive English, College of Arts and Sciences
These promotions reflect exceptional performance, commitment, and enthusiasm; and continue to set a standard that the AUK community can be proud of. AUK extends its congratulations to the individual faculty, their departments, and colleges.
Promotion to Professor
Dr. Iyad Aboudoush, Computer Science and Information Systems, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy, Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
Promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Angelica DeAngelis, English, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katherine Hennessey, English, College of Arts and Sciences
Promotion to Senior Instructor
Ms. Sherrie Smith, Intensive English, College of Arts and Sciences
These promotions reflect exceptional performance, commitment, and enthusiasm; and continue to set a standard that the AUK community can be proud of. AUK extends its congratulations to the individual faculty, their departments, and colleges.
Dr. Iyad Aboudoush
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy
Dr. Angelica DeAngelis
Dr. Katherine Hennessey
Ms. Sherrie Smith
31, Oct 2021
Dr. Iyad Abu doush’s New Book Receives Worldwide Recognition by BookAuthority
Professor of computer science and information systems at AUK, Dr. Iyad Abu doush recently authored a new book titled, Learn Simply: Android Mobile Application Development Using Kotlin. The book teaches how to develop mobile applications using Kotlin. Readers will be introduced to Kotlin programming, after which they will learn how to use Kotlin for Android mobile development. The Android topics covered are Layout Design, Views (Widgets), Data-Driven Containers, Intents, Activity Life Cycle, RESTful Web API, Action Bar, SQLite Database, Cloud Database - Firebase, Localization, and Location services. The pattern followed to develop mobile applications is by starting with an idea, designing the solution, and coding the solution. The book has been recognized as one of best new mobile development books to read in 2021 by BookAuthority—the world's leading site for book recommendations.
Commenting on the significance of this achievement, Dr. Iyad said, "I'm very pleased to have my newly-authored book recognized by BookAuthority as one of best new mobile development books to read in 2021. The experience I had at AUK when teaching the mobile application development enables me to develop technical content that is easy to learn and apply."
The book is a textbook that can be used by students or mobile application developers to learn about different technologies that can be used to create an Android mobile application. The 3-step pattern it features can help future generations in having hands-on experience with the latest technologies needed in the market for mobile application development.
The book can be purchased from the Leanpub website (https://leanpub.com/mobilekotlin) or from Amazon.
Commenting on the significance of this achievement, Dr. Iyad said, "I'm very pleased to have my newly-authored book recognized by BookAuthority as one of best new mobile development books to read in 2021. The experience I had at AUK when teaching the mobile application development enables me to develop technical content that is easy to learn and apply."
The book is a textbook that can be used by students or mobile application developers to learn about different technologies that can be used to create an Android mobile application. The 3-step pattern it features can help future generations in having hands-on experience with the latest technologies needed in the market for mobile application development.
The book can be purchased from the Leanpub website (https://leanpub.com/mobilekotlin) or from Amazon.
Book cover
Professor of computer science and information systems at AUK, Dr. Iyad Aboudoush
26, Oct 2021
CCE-AUK Announces Authorized Training Partnership with CertNexus
The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) at AUK announces its partnership with CertNexus—a certification body which provides emerging technology certifications and micro-credentials for business, data, development, IT, and security professionals. CCE proudly extends a list of credible, in-demand, emerging technology certifications and micro-credentials to their corporate and public training schedule. “As always, CCE strives to deliver the future technology trainings to the candidates. We find CertNexus’ certifications are the best solution for employees and candidates who are looking to create a technology-focused culture while providing a way to simply validate skills and knowledge,” said Nehal ElShafei, director of CCE-AUK.
As organizations today explore the technological solutions to become competent in the market, the need for skill standardization is crucial. Whether it is employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) or data science to grow a business, implementing high value innovation using an Internet of Things (IoT) solution, or maintaining secure access to protect customer data through security protocols, it is the people responsible for maintaining and implementing those solutions that provide the greatest value and highest risk to an organization. Therefore, training and building skills is the best investment towards growth.
Commenting on the partnership, Jeff Felice, president of CertNexus said, “We’re thrilled to have CCE-AUK as our newest Authorized Training Partner. We’ve developed courses, certifications, and micro-credentials that offer standardizations in the world of emerging technologies, and the fact that CCE-AUK has expanded their offerings to include our courses further exemplifies the necessity to certify such skills. We’re excited to join forces and support their ability to deliver the latest, high-stakes emerging tech training and certifications to the businesses they serve.”
CertNexus is committed to providing certification programs that ensure employees have the best in-class skill sets to match their organization’s business critical technology solutions. CertNexus’ certification programs in Artificial Intelligence/machine learning, data science, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, and secure coding broaden data, developer, IT, and security professional’s knowledge and validate skills using globally-recognized curriculum and examinations. CertNexus’ micro-credentials provide business leaders, project managers, and compliance personnel the necessary knowledge to lead projects and make informed decisions.
About Center for Continuing Education (CCE):
CCE was established in 2004 and, in addition to offering language courses in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, offers an array of courses and workshops aimed to assist in the personal and professional development of individuals and groups within the public and private sectors. Course offerings are specifically tailored to meet the needs of their clients, whether they are independent groups or corporations.
As organizations today explore the technological solutions to become competent in the market, the need for skill standardization is crucial. Whether it is employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) or data science to grow a business, implementing high value innovation using an Internet of Things (IoT) solution, or maintaining secure access to protect customer data through security protocols, it is the people responsible for maintaining and implementing those solutions that provide the greatest value and highest risk to an organization. Therefore, training and building skills is the best investment towards growth.
Commenting on the partnership, Jeff Felice, president of CertNexus said, “We’re thrilled to have CCE-AUK as our newest Authorized Training Partner. We’ve developed courses, certifications, and micro-credentials that offer standardizations in the world of emerging technologies, and the fact that CCE-AUK has expanded their offerings to include our courses further exemplifies the necessity to certify such skills. We’re excited to join forces and support their ability to deliver the latest, high-stakes emerging tech training and certifications to the businesses they serve.”
CertNexus is committed to providing certification programs that ensure employees have the best in-class skill sets to match their organization’s business critical technology solutions. CertNexus’ certification programs in Artificial Intelligence/machine learning, data science, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, and secure coding broaden data, developer, IT, and security professional’s knowledge and validate skills using globally-recognized curriculum and examinations. CertNexus’ micro-credentials provide business leaders, project managers, and compliance personnel the necessary knowledge to lead projects and make informed decisions.
About Center for Continuing Education (CCE):
CCE was established in 2004 and, in addition to offering language courses in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, offers an array of courses and workshops aimed to assist in the personal and professional development of individuals and groups within the public and private sectors. Course offerings are specifically tailored to meet the needs of their clients, whether they are independent groups or corporations.
18, Oct 2021
AUK Assistant Professor of Music Places 3rd in International Music Competition
Assistant Professor of Music at the American University of Kuwait, Agnieszka Fajga, placed 3rd in the MAP International Music Competition 2021 in California at the Category of Voice: Soprano.
The MAP International Music Competition was held virtually; it was sponsored by the Marker and Pioneer International Cultural Exchange Center—a non-profit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Featuring 1100 participants from 66 countries, the competition was divided into instrument categories such as piano, string, wind, brass, vocal, and chamber music.
Each contestant had to prepare and video record 20 minutes of music with one or more music pieces from the following musical periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern Classical.
Professor Agnieszka performed Quia Respexit by J.S.Bach, Vado ma dove by W.A.Mozart, Chi sa, chi sa, qual sia by W.A.Mozart, Night by A.Rubinstein, Uwoz mamo (Kurpie Songs op.58 no.3) by K.Szymanowski, and U jeziorecka (Kurpie Songs op.58 no. 4) by K.Szymanowski.
The MAP International Music Competition was held virtually; it was sponsored by the Marker and Pioneer International Cultural Exchange Center—a non-profit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Featuring 1100 participants from 66 countries, the competition was divided into instrument categories such as piano, string, wind, brass, vocal, and chamber music.
Each contestant had to prepare and video record 20 minutes of music with one or more music pieces from the following musical periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern Classical.
Professor Agnieszka performed Quia Respexit by J.S.Bach, Vado ma dove by W.A.Mozart, Chi sa, chi sa, qual sia by W.A.Mozart, Night by A.Rubinstein, Uwoz mamo (Kurpie Songs op.58 no.3) by K.Szymanowski, and U jeziorecka (Kurpie Songs op.58 no. 4) by K.Szymanowski.
Agnieszka Fajga, Assistant Professor of Music at AUK
18, Oct 2021
AUK Business Honor Society Recognized as an Honor Chapter
AUK international business honor society—Beta Gamma Sigma—has been recognized as an honor chapter worldwide. The recognition comes after each active chapter is evaluated and ranked according to their achievements and contributions to the field of business education. Christina Allrich, executive director of Beta Gamma Sigma said, “Qualifying for this recognition is indicative of a campus where academic excellence is highly valued, and where the chapter officers work diligently to enhance Beta Gamma Sigma’s stature on campus.”
The AUK chapter was evaluated based on criteria set by the honor society which included hosting campus events and promoting the society with excellent academic standing.
AUK assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to the AUK chapter, Dr. Fatima Shibly commented on the significance on this achievement, saying, “It is a great honor and achievement to qualify for this recognition in our first year as a BGS chapter, and in such unusual circumstances given the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the president of the chapter and AUK student, Anas Hassan and all the board members for organizing the chapter’s activities this year, as well as the other members for their active participation. My appreciation goes also to the Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs for their continuous help in organizing the activities. Finally, my sincere gratitude goes to the dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Ralph Palliam for his guidance and support.”
Beta Gamma Sigma is an international business honor society for AACSB accredited institutions. Business/pre-business students in their second, third or fourth year of study (or its equivalent in course work: sophomore, junior, senior) ranked among the upper 10 percent of their class would be eligible to join the honor society.
The AUK Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was established in August 2020. AUK was Beta Gamma Sigma’s 613th collegiate chapter established worldwide.
The AUK chapter was evaluated based on criteria set by the honor society which included hosting campus events and promoting the society with excellent academic standing.
AUK assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to the AUK chapter, Dr. Fatima Shibly commented on the significance on this achievement, saying, “It is a great honor and achievement to qualify for this recognition in our first year as a BGS chapter, and in such unusual circumstances given the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the president of the chapter and AUK student, Anas Hassan and all the board members for organizing the chapter’s activities this year, as well as the other members for their active participation. My appreciation goes also to the Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs for their continuous help in organizing the activities. Finally, my sincere gratitude goes to the dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Ralph Palliam for his guidance and support.”
Beta Gamma Sigma is an international business honor society for AACSB accredited institutions. Business/pre-business students in their second, third or fourth year of study (or its equivalent in course work: sophomore, junior, senior) ranked among the upper 10 percent of their class would be eligible to join the honor society.
The AUK Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was established in August 2020. AUK was Beta Gamma Sigma’s 613th collegiate chapter established worldwide.
AUK assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to the AUK chapter, Dr. Fatima Shibly
