News
20, May 2021
AUK Holds 16th Annual Career Fair
AUK held its 16th Annual Career Fair in collaboration with Khibra. The event was held virtually and provided an array of employers from leading companies across Kuwait to interact and discuss future employment opportunities with AUK students and alumni. This initiative is part of AUK's commitment to providing its students with opportunities to meet with future employers and explore possible career options.
The Career Fair was organized by AUK's Office of Alumni Affairs & Career Development (AACD), under the Division of Student Affairs. This year’s event was attended by STC Telecom, TAP Payments, PwC, EY, Floward, Intro30.com, The Taken Seat, CODED, and many more. A total of 90 ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions that included group as well as one-on-one meetings were created. With more than 1,250 minutes of live video streaming, students and alumni had a chance to engage with employers despite the pandemic.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad, shared her welcome remarks via Khibra. In her remarks, Dr. Awwad explained what distinguishes AUK’s education and its students, “We are driven by a mission that places our students at the center of this institution while placing this institution at the center of this nation and region when it comes to national and regional development and change.” She recognized the importance of participating organizations at the virtual career fair in mutually benefitting the development of both the students and the organizations, saying, “Our students will thrive with you, and in turn your organizations will thrive with them. Give them an opportunity, and they will make a difference.”
Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar thanked the support of employers who have shared opportunities with AUK students and alumni, “In connecting you to our students, we are certain that they will prove exceptional in their dedication and work ethics, and valuable in the knowledges and skills they gained through their years at AUK.”
23 local and multinational companies in Kuwait discussed their various full-time employment and internship opportunities with AUK students and graduates.
The Career Fair was organized by AUK's Office of Alumni Affairs & Career Development (AACD), under the Division of Student Affairs. This year’s event was attended by STC Telecom, TAP Payments, PwC, EY, Floward, Intro30.com, The Taken Seat, CODED, and many more. A total of 90 ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions that included group as well as one-on-one meetings were created. With more than 1,250 minutes of live video streaming, students and alumni had a chance to engage with employers despite the pandemic.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad, shared her welcome remarks via Khibra. In her remarks, Dr. Awwad explained what distinguishes AUK’s education and its students, “We are driven by a mission that places our students at the center of this institution while placing this institution at the center of this nation and region when it comes to national and regional development and change.” She recognized the importance of participating organizations at the virtual career fair in mutually benefitting the development of both the students and the organizations, saying, “Our students will thrive with you, and in turn your organizations will thrive with them. Give them an opportunity, and they will make a difference.”
Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar thanked the support of employers who have shared opportunities with AUK students and alumni, “In connecting you to our students, we are certain that they will prove exceptional in their dedication and work ethics, and valuable in the knowledges and skills they gained through their years at AUK.”
23 local and multinational companies in Kuwait discussed their various full-time employment and internship opportunities with AUK students and graduates.
Images from the Event
19, May 2021
AUK Alumna Rafia Tabaa Receives Kuwait Program At Sciences Po Student Paper Award
From a collection of over 300 eligible papers, AUK alumna from the class of 2020, Rafia Tabaa’s entry was selected for the Kuwait Program at Sciences Po Student Paper Award due to its excellent and outstanding quality.
Rafia’s paper, titled “The Legacy of Endowments in Higher Education: The Case of AlQarawiyyin University and Merton College, Oxford,” was praised by the program’s joint committee. Her paper explores the influence of waqf—Islamic endowment of property—on the quality of educational institutions. The paper aimed to achieve that by comparing and contrasting the waqf-based AlQarawiyyin University in Morocco and endowment-based Merton College in England. It has since been published on the Kuwait Program at Sciences Po’s webpage where it can be accessed.
AUK dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Ralph Palliam reflected upon Rafia’s research paper and its content, stating, “Islam’s holistic view of human development recognizes and emphasizes the central role of education and knowledge.”
While pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics, Rafia’s paper was nominated by her former economics professor, Dr. Ali Aljamal by virtue of its exemplary nature as it was one of the best papers written in the course.
Dr. Ali Aljamal referred back to Rafia’s paper and the importance of implementing the concept of waqf within the academic sector, as he elaborates, “To harness its potential in higher education, waqf for higher education institutions needs to be reformed and reestablished as a bedrock for sustainable economic and social development. Such reform could potentially involve reinvigorating the waqf system so it can assume its original role in sustaining innovative, autonomous and self-governed higher education institutions.”
Rafia expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very grateful to have been provided access to such a unique opportunity and to receive this generous award. My gratitude extends to AUK and my supervisor Dr. Ali Aljamal for his unwavering mentorship throughout the process of researching this topic.”
AUK advocates for students to be active members of their campus and external community and encourages them to pursue competitions that cultivate innovation, creativity and originality, in addition to pursuing research and development projects.
Rafia’s paper can be read below under Fall 2019:
https://www.sciencespo.fr/kuwait-program/student-activities/paper-award/#1613670576004-c94546cd-1e03
Rafia’s paper, titled “The Legacy of Endowments in Higher Education: The Case of AlQarawiyyin University and Merton College, Oxford,” was praised by the program’s joint committee. Her paper explores the influence of waqf—Islamic endowment of property—on the quality of educational institutions. The paper aimed to achieve that by comparing and contrasting the waqf-based AlQarawiyyin University in Morocco and endowment-based Merton College in England. It has since been published on the Kuwait Program at Sciences Po’s webpage where it can be accessed.
AUK dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Ralph Palliam reflected upon Rafia’s research paper and its content, stating, “Islam’s holistic view of human development recognizes and emphasizes the central role of education and knowledge.”
While pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics, Rafia’s paper was nominated by her former economics professor, Dr. Ali Aljamal by virtue of its exemplary nature as it was one of the best papers written in the course.
Dr. Ali Aljamal referred back to Rafia’s paper and the importance of implementing the concept of waqf within the academic sector, as he elaborates, “To harness its potential in higher education, waqf for higher education institutions needs to be reformed and reestablished as a bedrock for sustainable economic and social development. Such reform could potentially involve reinvigorating the waqf system so it can assume its original role in sustaining innovative, autonomous and self-governed higher education institutions.”
Rafia expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very grateful to have been provided access to such a unique opportunity and to receive this generous award. My gratitude extends to AUK and my supervisor Dr. Ali Aljamal for his unwavering mentorship throughout the process of researching this topic.”
AUK advocates for students to be active members of their campus and external community and encourages them to pursue competitions that cultivate innovation, creativity and originality, in addition to pursuing research and development projects.
Rafia’s paper can be read below under Fall 2019:
https://www.sciencespo.fr/kuwait-program/student-activities/paper-award/#1613670576004-c94546cd-1e03
AUK Alumna from the class of 2020, Rafia Tabaa
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22, Apr 2021
AUK Set To Launch Faculty Speaker Series
AUK will be launching the Faculty Speaker Series whereby faculty’s expertise will be showcased through their research and scholarly discourse to both the AUK community and the broader public. The new initiative serves as a platform for faculty who have received local or international grants to share their findings, discuss their most recent research interests, and review current topics within the academic circles.
Professor Fatima Shibly and Professor Salime Smadi, the organizing faculty of this series, discuss what they hope to achieve through this program as they explain in a joint statement, “The aim of the series is to enrich the intellectual life of the University and to provide a platform for university-community dialog and debate. Through this initiative, we hope that the wider community will engage in the conversation, and we will be able to foster a sense of unity and shared learning.”
The first session of the AUK Faculty Speaker Series will be held on the 26th of April, 2021 at 6pm by AUK assistant professor of English and National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellow, Dr. Katherine Hennessey. In her talk, Hennessey will discuss the thought-provoking achievements of contemporary theater-makers from our region. Focusing on the socio-political content of three recent plays from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, this presentation will explore how and why theater matters in the Arabian Peninsula.
This series is not only an opportunity for students to further engage with their professors and learn more about their discipline through these sessions, but is also a chance for anyone wanting to learn more about a particular field in which they are interested in; as expressed by AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, “Our faculty’s scholarly pursuits are central to teaching excellence and service to the profession. The Series is an opportunity for our academic community at AUK and our broader constituents to engage with our faculty experts on matters of research that is of significance and that contributes toward constructive progress and change,” she said.
Through experienced faculty discussing and sharing interdisciplinary research, audiences inside and outside of the AUK community can engage in discussions and exchange knowledge in multiple areas of interest.
To receive the Zoom link to attend this lecture, please sign up by sending an email to Facultyspeakerseries@auk.edu.kw
Professor Fatima Shibly and Professor Salime Smadi, the organizing faculty of this series, discuss what they hope to achieve through this program as they explain in a joint statement, “The aim of the series is to enrich the intellectual life of the University and to provide a platform for university-community dialog and debate. Through this initiative, we hope that the wider community will engage in the conversation, and we will be able to foster a sense of unity and shared learning.”
The first session of the AUK Faculty Speaker Series will be held on the 26th of April, 2021 at 6pm by AUK assistant professor of English and National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellow, Dr. Katherine Hennessey. In her talk, Hennessey will discuss the thought-provoking achievements of contemporary theater-makers from our region. Focusing on the socio-political content of three recent plays from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, this presentation will explore how and why theater matters in the Arabian Peninsula.
This series is not only an opportunity for students to further engage with their professors and learn more about their discipline through these sessions, but is also a chance for anyone wanting to learn more about a particular field in which they are interested in; as expressed by AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, “Our faculty’s scholarly pursuits are central to teaching excellence and service to the profession. The Series is an opportunity for our academic community at AUK and our broader constituents to engage with our faculty experts on matters of research that is of significance and that contributes toward constructive progress and change,” she said.
Through experienced faculty discussing and sharing interdisciplinary research, audiences inside and outside of the AUK community can engage in discussions and exchange knowledge in multiple areas of interest.
To receive the Zoom link to attend this lecture, please sign up by sending an email to Facultyspeakerseries@auk.edu.kw
21, Apr 2021
US Ambassador Visits AUK Campus
President of AUK, Dr. Rawda Awwad welcomed United States Ambassador, Her Excellency, Ms. Alina Romanowski, and Cultural Officer, Mr. Nelson Wen to the University’s campus to discuss institutional advancements of American education and foundational developments of the liberal arts systems in Kuwait.
Dr. Rawda Awwad, Ambassador Alina Romanowski, and Mr. Nelson Wen discussed the current global circumstances whereby the adaptation of academic institutions and development of online operations are imperative. There was emphasis on collaborative initiatives related to faculty and student engagement in areas of teaching, research, and community outreach opportunities. Another focal point of the meeting was AUK’s online operations and management of civic participation through the enhancement of academic, physical, and digital infrastructure.
Dr. Rawda outlined the value of AUK’s partnership with the Embassy of the United States and its importance, “Our close ties with the Embassy of the United States are significant to our institutional mission and remain strategic in advancing American style quality education in Kuwait. AUK is grateful to Ambassador Romanowski and her team and looks forward to a continued association.”
The Ambassador was provided with a tour of AUK’s campus and its new academic building which houses the brand-new state-of-the-art communication and media center, art and graphic design classrooms, and the latest open computer laboratories. The new Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offices and the University library were also part of this tour.
AUK’s partnership with the Embassy of the United States has been substantially secure since the beginning of its inception in 2004. Over the years, AUK has been working closely with embassy partners, and future meetings combined with regular follow ups sustain this relationship to support and respond to the needs of AUK’s students, faculty, and staff.
Dr. Rawda Awwad, Ambassador Alina Romanowski, and Mr. Nelson Wen discussed the current global circumstances whereby the adaptation of academic institutions and development of online operations are imperative. There was emphasis on collaborative initiatives related to faculty and student engagement in areas of teaching, research, and community outreach opportunities. Another focal point of the meeting was AUK’s online operations and management of civic participation through the enhancement of academic, physical, and digital infrastructure.
Dr. Rawda outlined the value of AUK’s partnership with the Embassy of the United States and its importance, “Our close ties with the Embassy of the United States are significant to our institutional mission and remain strategic in advancing American style quality education in Kuwait. AUK is grateful to Ambassador Romanowski and her team and looks forward to a continued association.”
The Ambassador was provided with a tour of AUK’s campus and its new academic building which houses the brand-new state-of-the-art communication and media center, art and graphic design classrooms, and the latest open computer laboratories. The new Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offices and the University library were also part of this tour.
AUK’s partnership with the Embassy of the United States has been substantially secure since the beginning of its inception in 2004. Over the years, AUK has been working closely with embassy partners, and future meetings combined with regular follow ups sustain this relationship to support and respond to the needs of AUK’s students, faculty, and staff.
Ambassador Alina Romanowski receiving a gift from AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad
Exchange of conversation between AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad, Ambassador Alina Romanowski, and Cultural Officer, Mr. Nelson Wen on institutional and academic advancements
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad providing a tour for Ambassador Alina Romanowski and Cultural Officer, Mr. Nelson Wen
20, Apr 2021
AUK Associate Professor of Finance Hosts Webinar on Financial Education for Youth
Dr. Wafaa Sbeiti, Associate Professor of Finance at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), hosted a webinar in collaboration with Kuwait Banking Association to discuss the importance of financial education for youth, including the challenges posed by financial illiteracy and its solutions.
Dr. Wafaa started the webinar by introducing herself and sharing statistics with the audience that highlight the severity of the issue at hand, “Seventy percent of the population is financially illiterate,” she stated. Examples of famous and prominent figures who were great at making money but not at managing it were also given. “It is not enough to have money, it is about how to protect this money, how to keep it, how to manage it, and how to grow it,” she explained.
She discussed how the two main driving forces behind this worldwide financial illiteracy are the “lack of financial education in our educational system” and “lack of financial literacy in families.” Drawing upon her 20 years of experience in the financial field, she commented on how alarming this lack of education is, “I can say with confidence there is no formal education when it comes to financial literacy and personal finance.” She also talks about how “most young people rely on their parents to teach them money skills” and very few parents discuss money with their children.
The webinar concluded by Dr. Wafaa encouraging the audience to be active members of society by seeking to become more financially literate. “I recommend you take responsibility and educate yourself. Take full responsibility for your life.” She reassured everyone listening that they are not alone, “Start having a conversation and get support. Connect with your bank. Attend workshops and try to benefit as much as you can.”
Through her lecture, the audience thoroughly understood the importance of organizing spendings and savings, having financial goals and being consistent. Most importantly, Dr.Wafaa Sbeiti made sure everyone in the audience—which included students and bank employees alike—understood that financial literacy is not impossible because, after all, “you do not have to be a genius to take part in this process, you have to be ready, take action, and be willing to learn.”
Dr. Wafaa started the webinar by introducing herself and sharing statistics with the audience that highlight the severity of the issue at hand, “Seventy percent of the population is financially illiterate,” she stated. Examples of famous and prominent figures who were great at making money but not at managing it were also given. “It is not enough to have money, it is about how to protect this money, how to keep it, how to manage it, and how to grow it,” she explained.
She discussed how the two main driving forces behind this worldwide financial illiteracy are the “lack of financial education in our educational system” and “lack of financial literacy in families.” Drawing upon her 20 years of experience in the financial field, she commented on how alarming this lack of education is, “I can say with confidence there is no formal education when it comes to financial literacy and personal finance.” She also talks about how “most young people rely on their parents to teach them money skills” and very few parents discuss money with their children.
The webinar concluded by Dr. Wafaa encouraging the audience to be active members of society by seeking to become more financially literate. “I recommend you take responsibility and educate yourself. Take full responsibility for your life.” She reassured everyone listening that they are not alone, “Start having a conversation and get support. Connect with your bank. Attend workshops and try to benefit as much as you can.”
Through her lecture, the audience thoroughly understood the importance of organizing spendings and savings, having financial goals and being consistent. Most importantly, Dr.Wafaa Sbeiti made sure everyone in the audience—which included students and bank employees alike—understood that financial literacy is not impossible because, after all, “you do not have to be a genius to take part in this process, you have to be ready, take action, and be willing to learn.”
AUK Associate Professor of Finance, Dr. Wafaa Sbeiti
20, Apr 2021
AUK’s Arabic Debate Club Participates In The Arabic Gulf Debate Tournament
AUK's Arabic debate club participated in the virtual Arabian Gulf Debate Tournament whereby a total of 20 teams competed from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.
In addition to the Arabic debate club reaching the second stage and competing in the semi-finals against 80 fellow competitors, AUK student Sara Edrees won second place as a fluent speaker in the Arabian Gulf.
The following students represented AUK at the tournament: Soud Al Azmi, Sarah Edrees, Dana Buresli, Mohamed Alhumaidhi, and Husain Dashti. The contestants were scored based on the articulation and development of their arguments and fluency in which they spoke.
The Arabic debate club is led by Dr. Khitam Al Khouli, associate professor of Arabic at AUK. As the club’s faculty advisor, she expressed best wishes for the team and success in their future endeavors.
In addition to the Arabic debate club reaching the second stage and competing in the semi-finals against 80 fellow competitors, AUK student Sara Edrees won second place as a fluent speaker in the Arabian Gulf.
The following students represented AUK at the tournament: Soud Al Azmi, Sarah Edrees, Dana Buresli, Mohamed Alhumaidhi, and Husain Dashti. The contestants were scored based on the articulation and development of their arguments and fluency in which they spoke.
The Arabic debate club is led by Dr. Khitam Al Khouli, associate professor of Arabic at AUK. As the club’s faculty advisor, she expressed best wishes for the team and success in their future endeavors.
Saud Alazmi, AUK student and member of the Arabic club debate team
Sarah Edrees, AUK student and member of the Arabic club debate team
Mohamed Saad, AUK student and member of the Arabic club debate team
Danah Buresli, AUK student and member of the Arabic club debate team
11, Apr 2021
French Ambassador Visits AUK Campus
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad welcomed French Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre, and Academic Attaché, Dr. Benjamin Taunay to the University’s campus to exchange views on research, academic and outreach-related opportunities that are of mutual interest. These long-term discussions remain ongoing and assist in the advancement of AUK as a liberal arts institution.
“Our American style education based on the liberal arts lends itself to global and multinational outreach and collaboration. We are excited on continuing these conversations that are integral to our institutional growth and development,” stated Dr. Rawda Awwad.
The Ambassador was provided a tour of the campus and its new building which houses the brand-new state-of-the-art communication and media center, recently developed art and graphic design classrooms, and the latest open computer laboratories. The new Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offices and the University library were also part of the tour.
Over the years, AUK has been working closely with the French embassy with consistent meetings combined with regular follow-ups to sustain the relationship and support mutual scholastic opportunities.
“Our American style education based on the liberal arts lends itself to global and multinational outreach and collaboration. We are excited on continuing these conversations that are integral to our institutional growth and development,” stated Dr. Rawda Awwad.
The Ambassador was provided a tour of the campus and its new building which houses the brand-new state-of-the-art communication and media center, recently developed art and graphic design classrooms, and the latest open computer laboratories. The new Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offices and the University library were also part of the tour.
Over the years, AUK has been working closely with the French embassy with consistent meetings combined with regular follow-ups to sustain the relationship and support mutual scholastic opportunities.
French Ambassador, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre receiving a gift from AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad providing a tour of the AUK campus for the French Ambassador, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre
French Ambassador, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre and delegates during a tour of the AUK library
05, Apr 2021
AUK Hosts e-Ceremony to Announce President & Deans’ Honor Roll for Spring 2020
AUK held its semi-annual President & Deans’ Honor Roll ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of top student achievers for the spring 2020 semester. The ceremony was broadcast online on the University’s social media accounts where AUK President Dr. Rawda Awwad was featured to congratulate the students on their achievements. The e-ceremony brought in an impressive amount of views from the University community as well as the general public.
Commencing with opening remarks from Dr. Awwad, she praised the awardees and commended their academic achievements amid the current unpredictable circumstances, she said, “I’m recognizing a very special group of you who performed exceptionally during the Spring 2020 semester. You reached out for excellence over and above mediocrity. You were daring and resolute in pushing forward, no matter what. Take charge of your success and make something out of it.”
The names of the honor students from the University’s three colleges were then shown in the video.
51 students were awarded a place on the President's Honor Roll—a high distinction exclusively awarded to those who maintained a 4.0 GPA for the semester, while a total of 182 students were recognized for achieving the Dean's Honor List—a distinction awarded to students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.7.
To view the eCeremony, follow AUK’s official social media account on Instagram @auk_official, and the official YouTube channel AUK Videos.
President’s Honor Roll
Jannah Al Ghanim
Khalid AlKharafi
Maria Saad
Shamlan Al-Hasawi
Munirah Al-Majdali
Lujain Damerli
Abdulaziz Redha
Chloe Ramey
Dina Elsayed
Roa'a Alawneh
Fawaz Almajed
Nourhan Nour
Malak Hussain
Zamaneh Faezi
Huseen BuOlayyan
Habiba Anwar
Fay AlRuwaished
Fadheela Al-Sabah
Melissa AbouFarraj
Modi AlAdwani
Farah Issa
Nagam Abu Ghoush
Rawan Behbehani
Aisha AlSaqabi
Aliya Al-Mutairi
Nour AlSanea
Leina Bou Fakhereddine
Saja Brejia
Farida Mohamed
Joseph Francis
Saqer Al Hajeri
Abeer Kablaoui
Ayman Kandil
Farah Hamoudah
Mariam Khalil
Reem Qasem
Ali Alsarraf
Hajar Abdullah
Hala Abou Harb
Ahmad Younis
Dana Buresli
Fatima Matook
Ali Darwiche
Adnan Kazi
Ali Raies
Omar Raies
Abdalla Elgohary
Abdullah Al-Anssari
Tala Fahs
Ghada Habeeb Al-Sahhaf
Nashrah Quraishi
Amal Radhwan
Amer Khosla
Sarah AlMutairi
Anas Hasan
Sara El Bab
Lavena Jacob
Dana Yousef
Faisal Amarneh
Khushal Zafar
Salah Malek
Amal Kahwaji
Dean’s Honor List, College of Business & Economics
Ebrahim AlOthman
Zuhair Ali
Fatemah AlSalameen
Mohammad Alidan
Mayar Azab
Nasser Taha
Leen El Ghazzoui
Sara Al-Hussaini
Ahmad Almutawa
Iman El-Husari
Reina Chahhal
Ammar Ban Bochi
Randa Mousa
Ahmed AlThuwaini
Mohamad Dakik
Nada Abdalgadir
Lizzy Fatima Prem
Layal Akar
Taikhum Burhanuddin
Njoud AlMuhareb
Nour Harb
Areej AlKharafi
Dalia Honeine
Naser Ali
Ali AlShamali
Nour Nassar
Sarah Khalid
Dana Najem
Urooj Mudassar
Osama Al-Harbi
Neeshal Rafi
Huzaifa Musamuddin
Shogh Farhanian
Nadin Jamal Eddine
Eman Al-Qattan
Ahmad AlAli
Safwana Basheer
Anouf Alyaqoub
Nadime Bitar
Mariam Kandari
Dina Al-Sabeeh
Yousef Mustafa
Leena Makkaouai
Abdollah Sayadi
Danah BoKubar
Rawan Nabaa
Youssef Fakih
Fatemah BoAbbas
Moneerah Al-bader
Nora Al-Bader
Hiam Yamout
Mariana Samir Sadek
Shahad almelhem
Layla Al-Mutawa
Yara Alwuhaib
Ali Elkmati
Ali AlSalem
Omar AlHaqaq
Abdullah Jiffry Ghouse
Fahad Jandel
Farah Saad
Khaled Alsaad
Abdulrahman AlKhaldi
AbdulMuhsen Al-Beaijan
Dalia ALOwisi
Dean’s Honor List, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Fahed Almenifi
Hasan AlEnezi
Khaled AlArouj
Jumanah Sadeq
Nezar AlTabaa
Omar Al-Najjar
Amal AlHulaibi
Mohammed Bazzi
Jawaher Shah
Hajar Shabkouh
Abdullatif AlQallaf
Ali Alfaili
Khaznah AlRajhi
Abdullah Al-Anzi
Fatima Al-Mufti
Abdulmohsen AlNajdi
Noura Allahow
Haniah AlTabaa
Manar Atieh
Merna Hawary
Rayane Bouhali
Bader AlJumah
Jumanah Husain
Maryam Bin-Jassem
Hamad Al-Hendi
Ahmad Al-Houti
Lina Al-Chaarawi
Shahad Al-Khaldi
Ahlam Dashti
Hussain Al-Matrouk
Ibrahim Al-Azmi
Amer Alazemi
Hussien Hammoud
Lubna Al-Jayyar
Sakinah Al-Amer
Fatemah Ameen
Dawood Boland
Amir AlAghbar
Malak Ahmed
Haya Al-Korki
Anwaar Redha
Rassim Melaab
David Liang
Mustafa Karkour
Abdolaziz Avarian
Laila Dallol
Rawan Abosedo
Majed AlDhafeeri
Mariam AlQalsh
Mohammad AlBayya
Naser Mahdi
Ahmed AboElhiba
Ahmad Al-Dulaie
Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Amera Abdelghaffar
Shafe AlSubaie
Raghad Alsaqran
Abdulrahman Al-Mesbah
Zeinab Deris
Husain AlAli
Farah Khalil
Fahad Alfahad
Mishal Almazidi
Abas AlMaayofi
Dean’s Honor List, College of Arts & Sciences
Reve Charif
Lyla Ibrahim
Muneerah Al-Baidan
Fatmah AlQallaf
Najlah Albusairi
Tesneem Al-Rashed
Hawraa Jabr
Nasser Al-Mutairi
Rawan Abdal
Sarah AlYousef
Sara Al-Arbash
Serli Bedirian
Ayat Albannai
Wafaa Hassan
Asmaa AlEnezi
Basmah Alshami
Ala'a AlAbdullah
Eva Makki
Latifah Al-Sabah
Vironika Faragalla
Jumana Khalil
Abdulaziz Al-Suwaileh
Sarah Jassim
Fatima Al-Mariri
Fatma AlHaddah
Jinan Taqi
Hager Alazab
Fatma Farhan
Joana Shihadeh
Durfishan Rushda
Estabraq Abadi
Zainah AlDouri
Noura Bounassif
Ranya Kholafa
David Muharib
Lara Abdelhaleem
Stephen Sapp
May Al-Qenaei
Nataly Hamayel
Marah Al-Tatawy
Zaina AlFadalah
Nora Alaati
Badreyah Al-Kharji
Ali Abdullah
Nadeen Jallad
Danah Awada
Fahad Al-Qaderi
Hasan Hajiyah
Danah AlGhadouri
Rawan Boutaiban
Farah Abu Eid
Ahmad Al-Sarraf
Mohammed Nimer
Hawraa Al-Ibrahim
Aya Abdrabou
Dalal AlKhabbaz
Susanna Al-Mufti
Sara Zayed
Rafah Al-Shohaty
Sarah Al-Awwad
Sarah Al-Ameeri
Raghad Al-Mustafa
Dana Ben Salamah
Anwar AlMousawi
Noor ElAli
Latifah AlKandari
Retaj Al-Khaldi
Abdulwahab Al-Othman
Ruqayah AlNaqi
Fahad Al-Fahad
Sarah Najem
Sarah Raza
Omar Hedeya
Hessah AlRuwayeh
Joanna ElChanti
Seif AlAghbar
Athraa Al-Ghadhban
Kumail Ibraheem
Baya Thompson
Heba Al-Hooti
Sabah Al-Sabah
Abdullah AlKhuraibet
Janna Al Roomi
Khadeija Al-Shimmiri
Malak AlChmari
Nagham Kheder
Abdullah AlMassaeed
Mesk Alhamad
Ashwaq Miari
Mariem Mahmoud
Khaled AlMeshary
Basma Khedr
Salma Hussain
Sarah Al-Hussaini
Commencing with opening remarks from Dr. Awwad, she praised the awardees and commended their academic achievements amid the current unpredictable circumstances, she said, “I’m recognizing a very special group of you who performed exceptionally during the Spring 2020 semester. You reached out for excellence over and above mediocrity. You were daring and resolute in pushing forward, no matter what. Take charge of your success and make something out of it.”
The names of the honor students from the University’s three colleges were then shown in the video.
51 students were awarded a place on the President's Honor Roll—a high distinction exclusively awarded to those who maintained a 4.0 GPA for the semester, while a total of 182 students were recognized for achieving the Dean's Honor List—a distinction awarded to students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.7.
To view the eCeremony, follow AUK’s official social media account on Instagram @auk_official, and the official YouTube channel AUK Videos.
President’s Honor Roll
Jannah Al Ghanim
Khalid AlKharafi
Maria Saad
Shamlan Al-Hasawi
Munirah Al-Majdali
Lujain Damerli
Abdulaziz Redha
Chloe Ramey
Dina Elsayed
Roa'a Alawneh
Fawaz Almajed
Nourhan Nour
Malak Hussain
Zamaneh Faezi
Huseen BuOlayyan
Habiba Anwar
Fay AlRuwaished
Fadheela Al-Sabah
Melissa AbouFarraj
Modi AlAdwani
Farah Issa
Nagam Abu Ghoush
Rawan Behbehani
Aisha AlSaqabi
Aliya Al-Mutairi
Nour AlSanea
Leina Bou Fakhereddine
Saja Brejia
Farida Mohamed
Joseph Francis
Saqer Al Hajeri
Abeer Kablaoui
Ayman Kandil
Farah Hamoudah
Mariam Khalil
Reem Qasem
Ali Alsarraf
Hajar Abdullah
Hala Abou Harb
Ahmad Younis
Dana Buresli
Fatima Matook
Ali Darwiche
Adnan Kazi
Ali Raies
Omar Raies
Abdalla Elgohary
Abdullah Al-Anssari
Tala Fahs
Ghada Habeeb Al-Sahhaf
Nashrah Quraishi
Amal Radhwan
Amer Khosla
Sarah AlMutairi
Anas Hasan
Sara El Bab
Lavena Jacob
Dana Yousef
Faisal Amarneh
Khushal Zafar
Salah Malek
Amal Kahwaji
Dean’s Honor List, College of Business & Economics
Ebrahim AlOthman
Zuhair Ali
Fatemah AlSalameen
Mohammad Alidan
Mayar Azab
Nasser Taha
Leen El Ghazzoui
Sara Al-Hussaini
Ahmad Almutawa
Iman El-Husari
Reina Chahhal
Ammar Ban Bochi
Randa Mousa
Ahmed AlThuwaini
Mohamad Dakik
Nada Abdalgadir
Lizzy Fatima Prem
Layal Akar
Taikhum Burhanuddin
Njoud AlMuhareb
Nour Harb
Areej AlKharafi
Dalia Honeine
Naser Ali
Ali AlShamali
Nour Nassar
Sarah Khalid
Dana Najem
Urooj Mudassar
Osama Al-Harbi
Neeshal Rafi
Huzaifa Musamuddin
Shogh Farhanian
Nadin Jamal Eddine
Eman Al-Qattan
Ahmad AlAli
Safwana Basheer
Anouf Alyaqoub
Nadime Bitar
Mariam Kandari
Dina Al-Sabeeh
Yousef Mustafa
Leena Makkaouai
Abdollah Sayadi
Danah BoKubar
Rawan Nabaa
Youssef Fakih
Fatemah BoAbbas
Moneerah Al-bader
Nora Al-Bader
Hiam Yamout
Mariana Samir Sadek
Shahad almelhem
Layla Al-Mutawa
Yara Alwuhaib
Ali Elkmati
Ali AlSalem
Omar AlHaqaq
Abdullah Jiffry Ghouse
Fahad Jandel
Farah Saad
Khaled Alsaad
Abdulrahman AlKhaldi
AbdulMuhsen Al-Beaijan
Dalia ALOwisi
Dean’s Honor List, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Fahed Almenifi
Hasan AlEnezi
Khaled AlArouj
Jumanah Sadeq
Nezar AlTabaa
Omar Al-Najjar
Amal AlHulaibi
Mohammed Bazzi
Jawaher Shah
Hajar Shabkouh
Abdullatif AlQallaf
Ali Alfaili
Khaznah AlRajhi
Abdullah Al-Anzi
Fatima Al-Mufti
Abdulmohsen AlNajdi
Noura Allahow
Haniah AlTabaa
Manar Atieh
Merna Hawary
Rayane Bouhali
Bader AlJumah
Jumanah Husain
Maryam Bin-Jassem
Hamad Al-Hendi
Ahmad Al-Houti
Lina Al-Chaarawi
Shahad Al-Khaldi
Ahlam Dashti
Hussain Al-Matrouk
Ibrahim Al-Azmi
Amer Alazemi
Hussien Hammoud
Lubna Al-Jayyar
Sakinah Al-Amer
Fatemah Ameen
Dawood Boland
Amir AlAghbar
Malak Ahmed
Haya Al-Korki
Anwaar Redha
Rassim Melaab
David Liang
Mustafa Karkour
Abdolaziz Avarian
Laila Dallol
Rawan Abosedo
Majed AlDhafeeri
Mariam AlQalsh
Mohammad AlBayya
Naser Mahdi
Ahmed AboElhiba
Ahmad Al-Dulaie
Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Amera Abdelghaffar
Shafe AlSubaie
Raghad Alsaqran
Abdulrahman Al-Mesbah
Zeinab Deris
Husain AlAli
Farah Khalil
Fahad Alfahad
Mishal Almazidi
Abas AlMaayofi
Dean’s Honor List, College of Arts & Sciences
Reve Charif
Lyla Ibrahim
Muneerah Al-Baidan
Fatmah AlQallaf
Najlah Albusairi
Tesneem Al-Rashed
Hawraa Jabr
Nasser Al-Mutairi
Rawan Abdal
Sarah AlYousef
Sara Al-Arbash
Serli Bedirian
Ayat Albannai
Wafaa Hassan
Asmaa AlEnezi
Basmah Alshami
Ala'a AlAbdullah
Eva Makki
Latifah Al-Sabah
Vironika Faragalla
Jumana Khalil
Abdulaziz Al-Suwaileh
Sarah Jassim
Fatima Al-Mariri
Fatma AlHaddah
Jinan Taqi
Hager Alazab
Fatma Farhan
Joana Shihadeh
Durfishan Rushda
Estabraq Abadi
Zainah AlDouri
Noura Bounassif
Ranya Kholafa
David Muharib
Lara Abdelhaleem
Stephen Sapp
May Al-Qenaei
Nataly Hamayel
Marah Al-Tatawy
Zaina AlFadalah
Nora Alaati
Badreyah Al-Kharji
Ali Abdullah
Nadeen Jallad
Danah Awada
Fahad Al-Qaderi
Hasan Hajiyah
Danah AlGhadouri
Rawan Boutaiban
Farah Abu Eid
Ahmad Al-Sarraf
Mohammed Nimer
Hawraa Al-Ibrahim
Aya Abdrabou
Dalal AlKhabbaz
Susanna Al-Mufti
Sara Zayed
Rafah Al-Shohaty
Sarah Al-Awwad
Sarah Al-Ameeri
Raghad Al-Mustafa
Dana Ben Salamah
Anwar AlMousawi
Noor ElAli
Latifah AlKandari
Retaj Al-Khaldi
Abdulwahab Al-Othman
Ruqayah AlNaqi
Fahad Al-Fahad
Sarah Najem
Sarah Raza
Omar Hedeya
Hessah AlRuwayeh
Joanna ElChanti
Seif AlAghbar
Athraa Al-Ghadhban
Kumail Ibraheem
Baya Thompson
Heba Al-Hooti
Sabah Al-Sabah
Abdullah AlKhuraibet
Janna Al Roomi
Khadeija Al-Shimmiri
Malak AlChmari
Nagham Kheder
Abdullah AlMassaeed
Mesk Alhamad
Ashwaq Miari
Mariem Mahmoud
Khaled AlMeshary
Basma Khedr
Salma Hussain
Sarah Al-Hussaini
Dr. Rawda Awwad, AUK President
31, Mar 2021
American University of Kuwait and Algonquin College – Kuwait Sign Articulation Agreement
AUK entered into an articulation agreement with Algonquin College - Kuwait to guarantee a seamless credit transfer process for students and provide a smooth transition from one related program to another. It supports consolidated future academic and course-related collaborations and grants students the opportunity to readily transfer their credits.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad elaborated on AUK’s aim for this agreement, “The education of students in Kuwait is and will continue to be a priority for AUK. We value the agreement with Algonquin College- Kuwait as we value providing students a unique opportunity to pursue an American-style liberal arts education for the betterment of our future.”
Dr. Awwad and Algonquin College president, Dr. David McHardy were both present at the signing of this mutual contract. Alongside them were the AUK college deans and vice president for students affairs; and Dr. Amani Hasan, acting academic dean at Algonquin College - Kuwait
Commenting on the new agreement, Algonquin College - Kuwait president, Dr. Dave McHardy said, “This agreement provides students with specific pathways from AC-Kuwait diplomas to AUK degrees and is an excellent example of private colleges and universities working collaboratively and systematically for the benefit of students in Kuwait. What this agreement means for students is that, if they graduate from high school with a Grade Point Average (GPA) that is too low to gain admission to AUK directly, they can register with AC-Kuwait, complete a diploma, and then transfer their credits to AUK and pursue a degree.”
This agreement commenced in the spring of 2021. To accommodate further collaborations, the contract will be evaluated and reviewed on a biennial basis.
About Algonquin College - Kuwait
Algonquin College – Kuwait (AC-Kuwait) is Kuwait’s first Canadian college. The College was authorized to operate in Kuwait by an Emiri Decree in 2010 and opened in September 2015. Its programs are recognized by the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education and Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. As a branch campus of Canada’s Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, AC-Kuwait’s programs are of the highest quality and its credentials are recognized around the world. Algonquin College ensures that its programs are relevant and up-to-date by continuously interacting with businesses, industries and governments. For more information, please visit www.ac-kuwait.edu.kw.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad elaborated on AUK’s aim for this agreement, “The education of students in Kuwait is and will continue to be a priority for AUK. We value the agreement with Algonquin College- Kuwait as we value providing students a unique opportunity to pursue an American-style liberal arts education for the betterment of our future.”
Dr. Awwad and Algonquin College president, Dr. David McHardy were both present at the signing of this mutual contract. Alongside them were the AUK college deans and vice president for students affairs; and Dr. Amani Hasan, acting academic dean at Algonquin College - Kuwait
Commenting on the new agreement, Algonquin College - Kuwait president, Dr. Dave McHardy said, “This agreement provides students with specific pathways from AC-Kuwait diplomas to AUK degrees and is an excellent example of private colleges and universities working collaboratively and systematically for the benefit of students in Kuwait. What this agreement means for students is that, if they graduate from high school with a Grade Point Average (GPA) that is too low to gain admission to AUK directly, they can register with AC-Kuwait, complete a diploma, and then transfer their credits to AUK and pursue a degree.”
This agreement commenced in the spring of 2021. To accommodate further collaborations, the contract will be evaluated and reviewed on a biennial basis.
About Algonquin College - Kuwait
Algonquin College – Kuwait (AC-Kuwait) is Kuwait’s first Canadian college. The College was authorized to operate in Kuwait by an Emiri Decree in 2010 and opened in September 2015. Its programs are recognized by the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education and Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. As a branch campus of Canada’s Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, AC-Kuwait’s programs are of the highest quality and its credentials are recognized around the world. Algonquin College ensures that its programs are relevant and up-to-date by continuously interacting with businesses, industries and governments. For more information, please visit www.ac-kuwait.edu.kw.
AUK President Dr. Rawda Awwad and Algonquin College - Kuwait President Dr. Dave McHardy sign articulation agreement
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Algonquin College - Kuwait President Dr. Dave McHardy alongside AC's acting academic dean and PR coordinator
23, Mar 2021
AUK Kicks Off Spring eLearning Semester
AUK commenced the spring 2021 online semester by welcoming new and returning students, staff, and faculty through multiple virtual meetings, engaging activities, and orientations. The University’s various services, departments, online networks and new platforms were all showcased and introduced to the campus community.
Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Vice President for Student Affairs, initiated AUK’s orientation meeting by greeting all newcomers directly from AUK’s campus, saying, “I personally can’t wait to get to know every one of you and I will be reaching out to you throughout your time at AUK.” She also expressed her enthusiasm towards starting a fresh semester with the newly admitted students, “We are all very excited to begin a new year with you, even if virtually at this point. You are now part of the Wolfpack community. So welcome!” Upon showing the students a live view of the University’s campus, she concluded her speech by wishing everyone a great semester.
In order to get the students well-accustomed to their campus, footage of events previously held at AUK was displayed alongside departmental presentations that provided information about scholarship and financial aid, IT services, library, the Writing and Tutoring Center, and the Counseling Center.
Towards the end of the orientation, students were divided into several chat rooms where they introduced themselves and played ice-breaker games. This exchange of conversation granted students the opportunity to engage each other as diverse members of the same community.
The University’s Student Life Department, Division of Student Affairs, facilitated an array of online Zoom sessions throughout welcome week to support new students, creating a friendly and collaborative space for everyone to meet one another. There were numerous competitions, interactive games, raffle draws, and prizes given out during these events.
The Student Life Department continuously encouraged students to remain active by joining campus clubs and organizations. “Being involved in a club develops your leadership skills while creating an impact in the community around you and beyond,” stated Student Life director, Shirley Sullivan.
A safe online learning environment with continued virtual connections between students, staff, and faculty will be ensured and provided in AUK’s spring 2021 semester, creating an enriching and rewarding experience for everyone.
Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Vice President for Student Affairs, initiated AUK’s orientation meeting by greeting all newcomers directly from AUK’s campus, saying, “I personally can’t wait to get to know every one of you and I will be reaching out to you throughout your time at AUK.” She also expressed her enthusiasm towards starting a fresh semester with the newly admitted students, “We are all very excited to begin a new year with you, even if virtually at this point. You are now part of the Wolfpack community. So welcome!” Upon showing the students a live view of the University’s campus, she concluded her speech by wishing everyone a great semester.
In order to get the students well-accustomed to their campus, footage of events previously held at AUK was displayed alongside departmental presentations that provided information about scholarship and financial aid, IT services, library, the Writing and Tutoring Center, and the Counseling Center.
Towards the end of the orientation, students were divided into several chat rooms where they introduced themselves and played ice-breaker games. This exchange of conversation granted students the opportunity to engage each other as diverse members of the same community.
The University’s Student Life Department, Division of Student Affairs, facilitated an array of online Zoom sessions throughout welcome week to support new students, creating a friendly and collaborative space for everyone to meet one another. There were numerous competitions, interactive games, raffle draws, and prizes given out during these events.
The Student Life Department continuously encouraged students to remain active by joining campus clubs and organizations. “Being involved in a club develops your leadership skills while creating an impact in the community around you and beyond,” stated Student Life director, Shirley Sullivan.
A safe online learning environment with continued virtual connections between students, staff, and faculty will be ensured and provided in AUK’s spring 2021 semester, creating an enriching and rewarding experience for everyone.
Group photos of newly-admitted students engaging in open conversation with Student Life during orientation day.
