News
24, Jun 2018
Interview with Dartmouth Intern Arjun Bhatt at AUK
1) Please describe briefly your role at the different departments you worked with during your internship at AUK. And what accomplishments are you most proud of?
I worked in admissions, the library, and the College of Business and Economics. In admissions, I gave campus tours and helped with file archiving. I was really excited to hear students from other universities in the admissions department talking about transferring-it made me proud to know I was part of something bigger. In the library, I helped with website development, which was really cool as I was able to learn and immediately help implement. In the CBE, I got to help do actual research, which was amazing as it helped me familiarize myself with the region on a wider scale.
2) Your jobs involved interactions with students, professors, and staff members at AUK, how did you find this experience in terms of learning about the people and the culture?
I was able to learn a lot about the people living in Kuwait and their culture. It was a really immersive way for me to examine Kuwait, and I'm very grateful for it.
3) Was this your first visit to Kuwait? What is your impression of it, and how does it compare to other countries in the Middle East (if visited)?
This was my first visit to Kuwait, and I found that a lot impressed me. I did not travel elsewhere in the Middle east.
4) During your stay in Kuwait, you happened to witness the holy month of Ramadan, one of the most important events of the year for the Arab and Muslim world. How did you find these days in Kuwait?
I found that this time brought out the spirituality that was always within a lot of people. I witnessed a lot of charitable giving, the propagation of many traditions, and I found it to be a very enriching experience.
5) In a few days you will be concluding your internship at AUK and in Kuwait, what were the highlights of your visit?
I really liked how great the beach access was. I have a lot of fond memories of night time visits to the beach during Ramadan, and enjoying how active Kuwait was late at night. I also really enjoyed my interactions with the cats which were all very friendly.
6) What experience will you take back home after finishing the internship at AUK?
I will really remember how friendly all of my placements were. They were always looking to take me out to some new and exciting places, and I really appreciated how everyone was so welcoming to me.
7) What was one thing you would have done if your internship duration was longer?
I think I would have explored Bayan Palace. Between odd hours and variable weather I never got the chance to see it. However, this kind of thing is definitely the exception-I'm really fortunate in that I was able to accomplish the vast majority of what I came to Kuwait to do.
8) What are your plans after completing this internship? Any future plans?
This summer I'll be resuming my research in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. I'm really excited for this as I've become rather fond of the lab where I'm working.
9) Any final comments you'd like to share with us?
I would like to extend my gratitude to the AUK students, Tadd Kruse, and my placement supervisors for giving me such a memorable experience. I'm wishing you the best for the future, and I look forward to AUK achieving new heights.
I worked in admissions, the library, and the College of Business and Economics. In admissions, I gave campus tours and helped with file archiving. I was really excited to hear students from other universities in the admissions department talking about transferring-it made me proud to know I was part of something bigger. In the library, I helped with website development, which was really cool as I was able to learn and immediately help implement. In the CBE, I got to help do actual research, which was amazing as it helped me familiarize myself with the region on a wider scale.
2) Your jobs involved interactions with students, professors, and staff members at AUK, how did you find this experience in terms of learning about the people and the culture?
I was able to learn a lot about the people living in Kuwait and their culture. It was a really immersive way for me to examine Kuwait, and I'm very grateful for it.
3) Was this your first visit to Kuwait? What is your impression of it, and how does it compare to other countries in the Middle East (if visited)?
This was my first visit to Kuwait, and I found that a lot impressed me. I did not travel elsewhere in the Middle east.
4) During your stay in Kuwait, you happened to witness the holy month of Ramadan, one of the most important events of the year for the Arab and Muslim world. How did you find these days in Kuwait?
I found that this time brought out the spirituality that was always within a lot of people. I witnessed a lot of charitable giving, the propagation of many traditions, and I found it to be a very enriching experience.
5) In a few days you will be concluding your internship at AUK and in Kuwait, what were the highlights of your visit?
I really liked how great the beach access was. I have a lot of fond memories of night time visits to the beach during Ramadan, and enjoying how active Kuwait was late at night. I also really enjoyed my interactions with the cats which were all very friendly.
6) What experience will you take back home after finishing the internship at AUK?
I will really remember how friendly all of my placements were. They were always looking to take me out to some new and exciting places, and I really appreciated how everyone was so welcoming to me.
7) What was one thing you would have done if your internship duration was longer?
I think I would have explored Bayan Palace. Between odd hours and variable weather I never got the chance to see it. However, this kind of thing is definitely the exception-I'm really fortunate in that I was able to accomplish the vast majority of what I came to Kuwait to do.
8) What are your plans after completing this internship? Any future plans?
This summer I'll be resuming my research in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. I'm really excited for this as I've become rather fond of the lab where I'm working.
9) Any final comments you'd like to share with us?
I would like to extend my gratitude to the AUK students, Tadd Kruse, and my placement supervisors for giving me such a memorable experience. I'm wishing you the best for the future, and I look forward to AUK achieving new heights.
Arjun Bhatt, Dartmouth Intern at AUK
12, Jun 2018
AUK First-Year Student Wins 1st Place at COMFEST
AUK proudly announces the great achievement of one of its outstanding graphic design students, Lindsay Gomes, who won the 1st place prize at COMFEST, receiving KD500.
COMFEST-Comic Festival Convention-is a three-day pop culture convention which combines film, television, comics, anime, games, cosplay, and music. The event brings people from all around the world, offering the ultimate fan experience with an international line-up of celebrity and entertainment guests, artists, and cosplayers.
Gomes participated in one of the recently held competitions at COMFEST in Kuwait. He submitted a digital art poster to COMFEST's movie poster design competition-which he had created the project in Assistant Professor Joo Won Lee's digital foundations class (GDES110).
According to Dr. Joo Won, this is the second time one of her students has won an award for a project created in an entry 100 and 200 levels class. Dr. Joo Won expressed her excitement about the award, "I now believe in our students' creative potential even more."
Dr. Joo Won praised her students' strong abilities and attributed much of their success to her class' emphasis on the rich values of Arabian culture. Dr. Joo Won further stressed that family, culture, and values are the core to any achieved success, as they will never go out of trend, "Digital is just a trend. But everyday life is a foundational thing. Be selective. Keep your values."
1st Place movie poster designed by AUK student, Lindsay Gomes
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12, Jun 2018
Three AUK Art & Graphic Design Students Win Positions in the 29th Joint Art Exhibition
In association with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), the Ministry of Education held the 29th Joint Art Exhibition where higher education students across Kuwait showcased their artistic talents and competed for various prizes. This included AUK's representation, where 16 students from the Graphic Design Department participated and won several prizes, under the supervision of Ms. Jasmine Singh, Adjunct Instructor of Graphic Design.
Among the 30 winners at the University-Level category were 3 AUK Students. Rounan Wang exhibited a product-design light using layers of cardboard showcasing nature's beauty (Image 1); Mais Al-Muhailan exhibited a series of nine tiles using polymer clay inspired by her childhood memories spent by the ocean while also raising awareness on preserving aquatic life (Image 2); and Nervana Bakr who also exhibited a series of 9 tiles inspired by the five natural elements.
The names of participating Graphic Design students (Image 3) who represented AUK at the 29th PAEET Exhibition are:
Huseen BuOlayyan
Ronan Wang
Jumanah Husain
Mais Al-Muhailan
Hafsa Shabbir
Shaikha Al Mousa
Fatema Al Shawaf
Jumana Khalil
Liyan Bin Essa
Nancy Haggag
Zaina Al-Ruwaih
Nora Al-Sabah
Maryam Aziz
Ramina Ghorban Daei
Nirvana Bakr
Mishary R Al Mesafer
AUK student Rounan Wang with her design
Polymer clay tiles designed by AUK student Mais Al-Muhailan
Group photo of the AUK students who participated in the PAEET Art Exhibition
11, Jun 2018
Active Minds: First Middle Eastern Affiliate Chapter in AUK
Active Minds is the premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students in the US, and AUK is the first affiliate chapter in the Middle East.
With over 450 university chapters, Active Minds is 'changing the conversation' about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States, and now in Kuwait.
The unique student-led organization reflects the voices of young people who are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and the way mental health is addressed on campuses and in society. Student initiatives are dedicated to building stronger families and communities through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on students and young adults aged 14–25. A core belief is that young people will be the drivers of change to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and create communities of support.
AUK's Active Minds kickoff carnival was a prime example of the special student-to-student approach that is unique to Active Minds. The members are passionate advocates and educators for mental health. Students encourage their peers and networks to learn about, talk about, and seek help for mental health issues just as they would for a physical issue, without shame or silence.
During the carnival, students connected with each other to define friendship, explore healthy self-help strategies, receive positive affirmation, learn simple techniques to support each other through the 4-step R U OK Q*? process, and had fun with a selfie booth and free hugs. Over 100 students expressed an interest in joining the Active Minds AUK organization during the upcoming academic year.
Students also participated in table events in multiple locations on campus to raise awareness for mental health issues and encourage mutual support.
The final event of the year was in conjunction with the First Year Experience showcase during which students were able to support each other by interacting with student civic awareness projects. Students were also invited to anonymously 'ask the expert' about mental health issues. AUK Psychology Professor Dr. Juliet Dinkha fielded questions, as did Psychologist Dr. Nisrine Aboulhosn. Also invited were Dr. Abeer Hamadah and Dr. Hamad Al-Khenaini from the Kuwait Center for Mental Health and psychiatrists who initiated the Mind_me_campaign (Mental illness does not define me) in Kuwait to support those who suffer with mental health issues.
With over 450 university chapters, Active Minds is 'changing the conversation' about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States, and now in Kuwait.
The unique student-led organization reflects the voices of young people who are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and the way mental health is addressed on campuses and in society. Student initiatives are dedicated to building stronger families and communities through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on students and young adults aged 14–25. A core belief is that young people will be the drivers of change to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and create communities of support.
AUK's Active Minds kickoff carnival was a prime example of the special student-to-student approach that is unique to Active Minds. The members are passionate advocates and educators for mental health. Students encourage their peers and networks to learn about, talk about, and seek help for mental health issues just as they would for a physical issue, without shame or silence.
During the carnival, students connected with each other to define friendship, explore healthy self-help strategies, receive positive affirmation, learn simple techniques to support each other through the 4-step R U OK Q*? process, and had fun with a selfie booth and free hugs. Over 100 students expressed an interest in joining the Active Minds AUK organization during the upcoming academic year.
Students also participated in table events in multiple locations on campus to raise awareness for mental health issues and encourage mutual support.
The final event of the year was in conjunction with the First Year Experience showcase during which students were able to support each other by interacting with student civic awareness projects. Students were also invited to anonymously 'ask the expert' about mental health issues. AUK Psychology Professor Dr. Juliet Dinkha fielded questions, as did Psychologist Dr. Nisrine Aboulhosn. Also invited were Dr. Abeer Hamadah and Dr. Hamad Al-Khenaini from the Kuwait Center for Mental Health and psychiatrists who initiated the Mind_me_campaign (Mental illness does not define me) in Kuwait to support those who suffer with mental health issues.
Carnival attendee participating in the activities
General photo of the carnival held at the AUK campus
General photo of the carnival attendees
11, Jun 2018
AUK Holds its 13th Annual Academic Showcase
AUK held its 13th Annual Academic Showcase that highlighted the achievements of AUK students across varying disciplines through presentations, performances, and displays. The ultimate goal of the showcase is to provide an opportunity for students to further their education and careers, and to expose the public and the entire student body to the various disciplines at AUK.
The showcase covered a variety of presentations-ranging from educational presentations, visual artwork, and academic field trips-as well as music and drama performances. In addition to stage presentations, there were also booth displays of selected projects from various departments, including Engineering, Graphic Design, and Foreign Languages. The projects showcased students' creativity, success, and innovative prowess, displaying the strengths of their respective departments.
A true testament to the liberal arts education at AUK, "Faculty are required to curate the most outstanding initiatives across the full breadth of the curriculum, into a day of presentations," as Dean of the College of Business and Economics Dr. Ralph Palliam said. This years' showcase was particularly diverse, including projects on the depiction of love in the 20th Century, Kuwaiti family-owned companies, and the portrayal of Muslims in Hollywood films.
Dr. Ali Charara, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, praised the hard work of the participants, saying, "We are celebrating not only the fruits of academic excellence, but also the intellectual process that led up to them. As any of our students can tell you, bringing an idea or a project to completion is a long, complex, sometimes frustrating process, yet very rewarding."
The Academic Showcase is held annually as a celebration of AUK's mission to foster an environment encouraging critical thinking, effective communication, personal growth, service, and leadership.
The showcase covered a variety of presentations-ranging from educational presentations, visual artwork, and academic field trips-as well as music and drama performances. In addition to stage presentations, there were also booth displays of selected projects from various departments, including Engineering, Graphic Design, and Foreign Languages. The projects showcased students' creativity, success, and innovative prowess, displaying the strengths of their respective departments.
A true testament to the liberal arts education at AUK, "Faculty are required to curate the most outstanding initiatives across the full breadth of the curriculum, into a day of presentations," as Dean of the College of Business and Economics Dr. Ralph Palliam said. This years' showcase was particularly diverse, including projects on the depiction of love in the 20th Century, Kuwaiti family-owned companies, and the portrayal of Muslims in Hollywood films.
Dr. Ali Charara, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, praised the hard work of the participants, saying, "We are celebrating not only the fruits of academic excellence, but also the intellectual process that led up to them. As any of our students can tell you, bringing an idea or a project to completion is a long, complex, sometimes frustrating process, yet very rewarding."
The Academic Showcase is held annually as a celebration of AUK's mission to foster an environment encouraging critical thinking, effective communication, personal growth, service, and leadership.
Click on the Image to view the Photo Gallery
10, Jun 2018
The American University of Kuwait Graduates its 2018 Class
AUK held its annual graduation commencement for the Class of 2018 on Thursday 7th of June where 424 students-269 from the College of Arts and Sciences, and 155 from the College of Business and Economics-officially became AUK graduates, amongst whom were 7 graduates with highest honors, 19 with high honors, and 20 with honors. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Hamed Al-Azmi, Minister of Education and Higher Education.
The graduation was attended by Shaikha Dana Naser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Founder and Chair of AUK's Board of Trustees, Dr. Habib Abul, Secretary General of Private Universities, members of the AUK Board of Trustees, diplomats, dignitaries, and the families and friends of this year's graduates.
Ms. Amal Al-Binali, Vice President for Admissions & Public Affairs, welcomed the guests and family members of the graduates to AUK's 13th graduation ceremony and officially inaugurated the ceremony by introducing the traditional processionals of the faculty, graduates and President’s Party.
Following the National Anthem and the Holy Quran recitation, AUK President, Dr. Earl (Tim) Sullivan gave an opening speech, in which he offered his best wishes to the graduates after successfully completing an important phase in their lives. "To the graduates: We hope you will live life to the fullest and will contribute to the welfare of your family, community, and country. And we want you to know that you will always be welcome to come back home to AUK!" he said
The commencement keynote address was given by AUK Founding Member of the AUK Board of Trustees and Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, Dr. Thomas Bartlet. In his speech, he delved into the different phases of change that the world had to endure from social and political, to economic and technological developments throughout history to modern day. Dr. Bartlet stressed the importance of accepting and allowing oneself to explore the new changes happening in the world, saying, "For my part, I hope you will remember when AUK was encouraging you in your general education courses, the liberal arts, to be curious about the world, to keep learning beyond your profession or job, and understand that change is normal and inevitable, and can be exciting and creative and very positive."
Following the keynote address, the class valedictorians were announced by Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Dean of Student Affairs. This year, three valedictorians were chosen-from the College of Business and Economics, Jaber Al-Shammary who double majored in Accounting and Management (3.93 GPA); and from the College of Arts and Sciences, Leena El-Hawary who majored in Graphic Design (3.95 GPA), and Abdulaziz Al-Mahmeed who double majored in International Relations and English Literature (3.95 GPA) who also delivered the valedictorian speech.
AUK Provost, Dr. Rawda Awwad, also gave a speech in which she affirmed the skills and knowledge possessed by the graduates to instill positive change in the world. "Our graduates have become our daughters and sons, and today we will be entrusting them back to a nation, a region and our world as members of a new generation of young women and men who are trained to aspire to make a difference and affect positive change that is forward looking and constructive," she said.
The event then proceeded to the part of the ceremony most anticipated by the students-the distribution of their earned degrees. Upon, the Recommendations of the Deans and the Provost, President Sullivan, conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees. The graduates were then awarded their diplomas by President Sullivan, H.E. Dr. Hamed Al-Azmi, Dr. Habib Abul, Provost Rawda Awwad, Dean Ali Charara for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dean Ralph Palliam for the College of Business & Economics.
In keeping with the academic tradition, the graduates were requested to shift their tassels from right to left, thereby marking their official graduation from AUK. As the ceremony drew to its conclusion, the graduating class celebrated the occasion and took photos with their families and friends.
The graduation was attended by Shaikha Dana Naser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Founder and Chair of AUK's Board of Trustees, Dr. Habib Abul, Secretary General of Private Universities, members of the AUK Board of Trustees, diplomats, dignitaries, and the families and friends of this year's graduates.
Ms. Amal Al-Binali, Vice President for Admissions & Public Affairs, welcomed the guests and family members of the graduates to AUK's 13th graduation ceremony and officially inaugurated the ceremony by introducing the traditional processionals of the faculty, graduates and President’s Party.
Following the National Anthem and the Holy Quran recitation, AUK President, Dr. Earl (Tim) Sullivan gave an opening speech, in which he offered his best wishes to the graduates after successfully completing an important phase in their lives. "To the graduates: We hope you will live life to the fullest and will contribute to the welfare of your family, community, and country. And we want you to know that you will always be welcome to come back home to AUK!" he said
The commencement keynote address was given by AUK Founding Member of the AUK Board of Trustees and Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, Dr. Thomas Bartlet. In his speech, he delved into the different phases of change that the world had to endure from social and political, to economic and technological developments throughout history to modern day. Dr. Bartlet stressed the importance of accepting and allowing oneself to explore the new changes happening in the world, saying, "For my part, I hope you will remember when AUK was encouraging you in your general education courses, the liberal arts, to be curious about the world, to keep learning beyond your profession or job, and understand that change is normal and inevitable, and can be exciting and creative and very positive."
Following the keynote address, the class valedictorians were announced by Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Dean of Student Affairs. This year, three valedictorians were chosen-from the College of Business and Economics, Jaber Al-Shammary who double majored in Accounting and Management (3.93 GPA); and from the College of Arts and Sciences, Leena El-Hawary who majored in Graphic Design (3.95 GPA), and Abdulaziz Al-Mahmeed who double majored in International Relations and English Literature (3.95 GPA) who also delivered the valedictorian speech.
AUK Provost, Dr. Rawda Awwad, also gave a speech in which she affirmed the skills and knowledge possessed by the graduates to instill positive change in the world. "Our graduates have become our daughters and sons, and today we will be entrusting them back to a nation, a region and our world as members of a new generation of young women and men who are trained to aspire to make a difference and affect positive change that is forward looking and constructive," she said.
The event then proceeded to the part of the ceremony most anticipated by the students-the distribution of their earned degrees. Upon, the Recommendations of the Deans and the Provost, President Sullivan, conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees. The graduates were then awarded their diplomas by President Sullivan, H.E. Dr. Hamed Al-Azmi, Dr. Habib Abul, Provost Rawda Awwad, Dean Ali Charara for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dean Ralph Palliam for the College of Business & Economics.
In keeping with the academic tradition, the graduates were requested to shift their tassels from right to left, thereby marking their official graduation from AUK. As the ceremony drew to its conclusion, the graduating class celebrated the occasion and took photos with their families and friends.
Click on the Image to view the Photo Gallery
05, Jun 2018
Editor of Kuwait Times Discusses Journalism in Kuwait at AUK Communications Class
Ms. Jamie Etheridge, Managing Editor of the Kuwait Times newspaper, recently gave a lecture concerning the state of journalism in Kuwait to students in Dr. Mohamed Satti's Mass Media Writing class at the American University of Kuwait (AUK).
Ms. Etheridge's lecture focused mainly on the challenges that journalists face in Kuwait such as the low wage structure in the industry and the limited amount of respect that journalists receive. In addition, the internet has created new challenges to media organizations. Etheridge noted that social media has allowed individuals to share stories "without regard for facts or verification." Media outlets such as the Kuwait Times have to check the validity of news before they publish it. Despite these challenges however, Etheridge stated that the media environment in Kuwait is the healthiest in the Gulf region, with journalists constantly pushing boundaries as they seek objective reporting of the news.
"It was great having Ms. Etheridge talk to the students. This was a chance for students to interact with a professional journalist and to learn about the challenges that they face in the profession on a daily basis," said Dr. Mohamed Satti, Assistant Professor of Communication & Media.
The class is intended to provide students with fundamental writing techniques used in the media industry. Particular attention is paid to the development of objective writing skills used across print, broadcast and online platforms. In addition to class instruction, visits from media professionals like Ms. Etheridge provides the students with additional insight into how real-world media operates, and how to navigate through certain challenges to produce unbiased and verified news.
Ms. Etheridge's lecture focused mainly on the challenges that journalists face in Kuwait such as the low wage structure in the industry and the limited amount of respect that journalists receive. In addition, the internet has created new challenges to media organizations. Etheridge noted that social media has allowed individuals to share stories "without regard for facts or verification." Media outlets such as the Kuwait Times have to check the validity of news before they publish it. Despite these challenges however, Etheridge stated that the media environment in Kuwait is the healthiest in the Gulf region, with journalists constantly pushing boundaries as they seek objective reporting of the news.
"It was great having Ms. Etheridge talk to the students. This was a chance for students to interact with a professional journalist and to learn about the challenges that they face in the profession on a daily basis," said Dr. Mohamed Satti, Assistant Professor of Communication & Media.
The class is intended to provide students with fundamental writing techniques used in the media industry. Particular attention is paid to the development of objective writing skills used across print, broadcast and online platforms. In addition to class instruction, visits from media professionals like Ms. Etheridge provides the students with additional insight into how real-world media operates, and how to navigate through certain challenges to produce unbiased and verified news.
Group photo of the students in the Mass Media Writing class with their professor Dr. Mohammed Satti, and Ms. Jamie Ethridge, Managing Editor of the Kuwait Times newspaper
30, May 2018
Interview with Dartmouth Intern Devon Kurtz at AUK
AUK has welcomed Dartmouth student Devon Kurtz to intern on campus during the Spring, 2018 semester. Devon has worked in the PR and Marketing Department, The Writing Center, and Admissions Department.
Devon is a member of the class of 2020 at Dartmouth College and is studying economics, classical literature, and English. He was an intern for State Senator Donald Humason and was later appointed to the Massachusetts Governor's Statewide Youth Council advising Governor Charlie Baker and other top state officials on the opioid addiction crisis plaguing the state. On Dartmouth's campus, he is a managing editor at The Dartmouth Review, the college's conservative newspaper. He is also a part of the First-Year Student Enrichment Program, a group for first-generation college students.
Upon successful completion of his internship, an interview was conducted to get his feedback on living in Kuwait and working at AUK:
1) Please describe briefly your role at the different departments you worked with during your internship at AUK. And what accomplishments are you most proud of?
My internship was split among Public Relations (PR), the Writing Center (WRC), and Admissions. In PR, I wrote press releases and covered events around campus. In the WRC, I worked as a writing consultant, helping students improve their writing assignments. In Admissions, I did a variety of tasks, but the most valuable was speaking to high school students who were visiting the campus.
2) Your jobs involved interactions with students, professors, and staff members at AUK, how did you find this experience in terms of learning about the people and the culture?
Since most students are from the GCC region, meeting students was the best way to learn about the culture of Kuwait. Staff and professors were helpful in learning about the experiences of ex-patriates living in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. I have made lifelong friends-including students, staff, and professors-during my time here.
3) Was this your first visit to Kuwait? What is your impression of it, and how does it compare to other countries in the Middle East (if visited)?
This was my first time in Kuwait, and I found the country to be quite different from America. Kuwaitis take a unique approach to life and family, and I think that Americans could learn a lot from that; the U.S. privileges the identity of individuals, whereas family retains its place as a significant facet of identity in Kuwait. I have only been to one other country in the Middle East-Lebanon. Kuwait and Lebanon are quite different from one another. American media tends to portray this region as homogenous, but my time here has definitely shown how richly diverse the Middle East is.
4) During your stay in Kuwait, you happened to witness the holy month of Ramadan, one of the most important events of the year for the Arab and Muslim world. How did you find these days in Kuwait?
I was grateful for my opportunity to be here during Ramadan. Fasting was challenging, but it was a humbling experience. The month of Ramadan required me to be carefully disciplined about an area of my life that I typically did not pay as much attention to.
5) In a few days you will be concluding your internship at AUK and in Kuwait, what were the highlights of your visit?
Despite how most people feel about the weather here, the heat and sun was the major pro of this internship. Leaving New England just days after a horrendous snow storm, Kuwait seemed like a paradise. While most of my experience was positive, I found it very difficult to not drink water during Ramadan. With the intense heat, I struggled with this a lot.
6) What experience will you take back home after finishing the internship at AUK?
I think that it will be difficult to be impressed by American malls and shopping centers after seeing The Avenues. The Avenues is a true testament to Kuwait's architectural prowess.
7) What was one thing you would have done if your internship duration was longer?
If I had a few additional weeks, I would have liked to travel around the region more. I would've liked to see Oman, Egypt, and UAE.
8) What are your plans after completing this internship?
This summer I will be back at Dartmouth taking classes and doing research. This autumn, I will be in London to study English Literature at King's College London.
9) Any final comments you'd like to share with us?
I am thankful to have been accepted into the AUK family!
Devon is a member of the class of 2020 at Dartmouth College and is studying economics, classical literature, and English. He was an intern for State Senator Donald Humason and was later appointed to the Massachusetts Governor's Statewide Youth Council advising Governor Charlie Baker and other top state officials on the opioid addiction crisis plaguing the state. On Dartmouth's campus, he is a managing editor at The Dartmouth Review, the college's conservative newspaper. He is also a part of the First-Year Student Enrichment Program, a group for first-generation college students.
Upon successful completion of his internship, an interview was conducted to get his feedback on living in Kuwait and working at AUK:
1) Please describe briefly your role at the different departments you worked with during your internship at AUK. And what accomplishments are you most proud of?
My internship was split among Public Relations (PR), the Writing Center (WRC), and Admissions. In PR, I wrote press releases and covered events around campus. In the WRC, I worked as a writing consultant, helping students improve their writing assignments. In Admissions, I did a variety of tasks, but the most valuable was speaking to high school students who were visiting the campus.
2) Your jobs involved interactions with students, professors, and staff members at AUK, how did you find this experience in terms of learning about the people and the culture?
Since most students are from the GCC region, meeting students was the best way to learn about the culture of Kuwait. Staff and professors were helpful in learning about the experiences of ex-patriates living in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. I have made lifelong friends-including students, staff, and professors-during my time here.
3) Was this your first visit to Kuwait? What is your impression of it, and how does it compare to other countries in the Middle East (if visited)?
This was my first time in Kuwait, and I found the country to be quite different from America. Kuwaitis take a unique approach to life and family, and I think that Americans could learn a lot from that; the U.S. privileges the identity of individuals, whereas family retains its place as a significant facet of identity in Kuwait. I have only been to one other country in the Middle East-Lebanon. Kuwait and Lebanon are quite different from one another. American media tends to portray this region as homogenous, but my time here has definitely shown how richly diverse the Middle East is.
4) During your stay in Kuwait, you happened to witness the holy month of Ramadan, one of the most important events of the year for the Arab and Muslim world. How did you find these days in Kuwait?
I was grateful for my opportunity to be here during Ramadan. Fasting was challenging, but it was a humbling experience. The month of Ramadan required me to be carefully disciplined about an area of my life that I typically did not pay as much attention to.
5) In a few days you will be concluding your internship at AUK and in Kuwait, what were the highlights of your visit?
Despite how most people feel about the weather here, the heat and sun was the major pro of this internship. Leaving New England just days after a horrendous snow storm, Kuwait seemed like a paradise. While most of my experience was positive, I found it very difficult to not drink water during Ramadan. With the intense heat, I struggled with this a lot.
6) What experience will you take back home after finishing the internship at AUK?
I think that it will be difficult to be impressed by American malls and shopping centers after seeing The Avenues. The Avenues is a true testament to Kuwait's architectural prowess.
7) What was one thing you would have done if your internship duration was longer?
If I had a few additional weeks, I would have liked to travel around the region more. I would've liked to see Oman, Egypt, and UAE.
8) What are your plans after completing this internship?
This summer I will be back at Dartmouth taking classes and doing research. This autumn, I will be in London to study English Literature at King's College London.
9) Any final comments you'd like to share with us?
I am thankful to have been accepted into the AUK family!
Devon Kurtz, Dartmouth Intern at AUK
30, May 2018
AUK Learning Support Services Staff Present in BETT Summit, UAE
Director of the Learning Support Services (LSS), Hanouf Aljuhail, and Academic Support Specialist at the Writing Center, Hala Botros at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) presented at the BETT Summit-in partnership with the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The presentation was titled, Redefining Learning Support Services for Higher Education; Aljuhail and Botros shared their experience in developing and diversifying digital platforms for learning support at AUK. The Writing Center introduced platforms such as TutorTrac, Timestation and Zoom to enable further communication with students off campus, and offer personalized tutoring sessions via video sessions online. Aljuhail and Botros further shared the students' feedback and the progress seen when these digital platforms were implemented within the LSS conventional practices. Since these services are only offered exclusively to AUK students, the response has been positive as it is seen as an additional service that facilitates their learning experience, even after official working hours.
Aljuhail also facilitated a roundtable discussion for the topic of Special Education Needs & Inclusive Education. She was joined by academics from different institutions where they explored the benefits of implementing digital platforms for students with special needs and ways it can assist them in their learning processes.
The Summit was held for the first time in 2016 and brought together the leading decision makers and buyers within the education technology space from across the Middle East and beyond. It is a great networking opportunity that allows the delegates to share in their experiences and learn about the effective implementation of technology in the classroom.
Hala Botros, Academic Support Specialist at the Writing Center, and Hanouf Aljuhail, Director of Learning Support Services at AUK attending the BETT Summit
Hanouf Aljuhail and Hala Botros during their presentation, Redefining Learning Support Services for Higher Education
21, May 2018
AUK Celebrates Top Students during Student Academic Achievement Awards
The American University of Kuwait held a Student Academic Achievement Awards ceremony where top students were honored for excellence in their studies and extracurricular activities. Students from all departments were nominated by faculty and department chairs, and one student was chosen from each department for the award.
The awards were split into two categories, the Outstanding Student Award which is given to students from each department for their excellence in academia, and the Competition Recognition Award which recognizes a student or team who participated and won in a regional or international competition during the current academic year.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the President and Dean's Honor Roll, and was attended by the honored students' families and friends. The chosen students were announced for the first time during the ceremony where department heads called the students to the stage and awarded them with crystal plaques. AUK Provost Dr. Rawda Awwad closed the ceremony with a speech in which she elaborated on the outcome of a liberal arts education-which the awarded students have mastered during their time at AUK, "Our liberal arts tradition will prepare you emotionally, intellectually, and academically. Our liberal arts tradition, therefore, expects that you will have the strength and the frame of mind to do exactly that: figure out how you can be that transformative agent for the betterment of society: in other words, making a difference as an individual or as a collective that is real and sustainable."
The awardees are:
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Department of Arabic & Foreign Languages
Bashayer Abdulhadi
Department of Art & Graphic Design
Leena El Hawary
Department of Communication & Media
Layal Boulos
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Ali Kelkawi
Department of Computer Science & Information Systems
Samy AbdelAal
Department of English
Abdulaziz Al-Mahmeed
Department of International Relations
Moudhy Al-Khalaf
Department Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Noha Mahmoud
Department of Music & Drama
Dana Al-Zuraiqi
Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Sumaya Al Hunayan
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Department of Economics, Management & Marketing
Shehryar Ali - Management
Tasneem Darkhabani - Marketing
Ismail Al-Tahan - Economics
Department of Accounting & Finance
Farah Nabaa - Finance
Dania Moftah - Accounting
INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM (IEP)
Turki Al Ajmi - Gold Track
Al Hawraa Al Baghli - Gold Track
Nour Allaho - Silver Track
Mohammed Saad - Silver Track
Competition Recognition Awards - 2017-2018
Department of Electrical & computer Engineering
Batool Hasan
Department of Computer Science & Information Systems
Abdulazez Karam
Department of International Relations
Ali Al-Qallaf
Department of Accounting & Finance
Raunak Singh
The awards were split into two categories, the Outstanding Student Award which is given to students from each department for their excellence in academia, and the Competition Recognition Award which recognizes a student or team who participated and won in a regional or international competition during the current academic year.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the President and Dean's Honor Roll, and was attended by the honored students' families and friends. The chosen students were announced for the first time during the ceremony where department heads called the students to the stage and awarded them with crystal plaques. AUK Provost Dr. Rawda Awwad closed the ceremony with a speech in which she elaborated on the outcome of a liberal arts education-which the awarded students have mastered during their time at AUK, "Our liberal arts tradition will prepare you emotionally, intellectually, and academically. Our liberal arts tradition, therefore, expects that you will have the strength and the frame of mind to do exactly that: figure out how you can be that transformative agent for the betterment of society: in other words, making a difference as an individual or as a collective that is real and sustainable."
The awardees are:
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Department of Arabic & Foreign Languages
Bashayer Abdulhadi
Department of Art & Graphic Design
Leena El Hawary
Department of Communication & Media
Layal Boulos
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Ali Kelkawi
Department of Computer Science & Information Systems
Samy AbdelAal
Department of English
Abdulaziz Al-Mahmeed
Department of International Relations
Moudhy Al-Khalaf
Department Mathematics & Natural Sciences
Noha Mahmoud
Department of Music & Drama
Dana Al-Zuraiqi
Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Sumaya Al Hunayan
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Department of Economics, Management & Marketing
Shehryar Ali - Management
Tasneem Darkhabani - Marketing
Ismail Al-Tahan - Economics
Department of Accounting & Finance
Farah Nabaa - Finance
Dania Moftah - Accounting
INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM (IEP)
Turki Al Ajmi - Gold Track
Al Hawraa Al Baghli - Gold Track
Nour Allaho - Silver Track
Mohammed Saad - Silver Track
Competition Recognition Awards - 2017-2018
Department of Electrical & computer Engineering
Batool Hasan
Department of Computer Science & Information Systems
Abdulazez Karam
Department of International Relations
Ali Al-Qallaf
Department of Accounting & Finance
Raunak Singh
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