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On the 19th of July, 2017, AUK graduate interns Aryka Rice and Adrienne Bocci met with the U.S. Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Lawrence Silverman. As participants in AUK's Summer Student Affairs Internship Program, Aryka and Adrienne used the opportunity to learn more about higher education administration in Kuwait and partnerships between U.S. and Kuwaiti institutions. The interns also discussed their experiences at AUK-including their dual placements in different Student Affairs and Student Services departments on campus. During their 8-week experience, which concluded on July 20th, 2017, Aryka worked in the Registrar's Office and the Office of Student Life; while Adrienne worked in the Counseling Center and with Learning Support Services.
Regarding the conversation with the Ambassador, Adrienne said, "It was such a unique and valuable experience to meet with him. He shared a number of insights about the strong relationship between Kuwait and the United States, and in particular how their status as allies has translated into some wonderful international opportunities for college and university students. The Ambassador encouraged us to consider how we might be able to further expand upon this opportunity even after the internship has ended. He was also very interested to hear what we had learned from our time at AUK, which provided a chance for me to further reflect on the skills I have developed and the knowledge I have gained as a result of the internship. Meeting him was an honor and a privilege, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. It was an incredible way to complete my experience here."
Reflecting on her visit to the Embassy, Aryka said, "This experience was truly amazing. Being able to walk through the Embassy, taking in history, was absolutely breathtaking. The Ambassador was easy-going and seemed to be very interested in our internship experience, how we interacted with the AUK community, what we learned about Kuwait, and how we can help to create partnerships with our home institutions in Kuwait. As a result of this afternoon chat with the Ambassador, I will continue to find ways to tell people about Kuwait in hopes of encouraging them to visit the Gulf Region and continue to travel the world learning about other people, places, and cultures. This experience was definitely the grand finale of a wonderful summer abroad experience."
This semester, AUK welcomes a new pair of interns from Dartmouth College-Alexis Colbert and Mary Versa Clemens-Sewall.
Alexis Colbert will be working in the Marketing and Public Relations Department, the Office of Student Life, and the Writing Center. She is a Gates Millennium Scholar in the Dartmouth College class of 2019. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri she worked with her local congressman as a member of the Congressional Youth Cabinet and was highly engaged with her local Young Men's Christian Association where she later became an employee. Her major is Anthropology with a focus in cultural studies, and she will be participating in the anthropology study abroad in New Zealand in the winter. At Dartmouth, she serves as the Historian of West House, works for America Reads tutoring and mentoring local elementary students, and is a freshman outreach chair for Sigma Delta sorority.
Working in different departments during their stay, both Alexis and Mary will be on campus until mid-to-late November and share an interest in the field of education. The pair also has Dartmouth study abroad programs with different departments in their repertoire.
Mary Versa Clemens-Sewall will be working in the Math and Natural Sciences Department, the Tutoring Center, and in the Intensive English Program. She is a Dartmouth class of 2020 student majoring in mathematics with teaching in mind. Mary is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended a performing arts magnet school where she studied dance and theatre which she continues to participate in at Dartmouth. On campus, Mary dances with the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble, with whom she toured in Costa Rica, and is an Arts Ambassador. In high school, Mary stayed with a host family in Ghana as an exchange student, an experience that helped expand her knowledge of global awareness. This past summer she also participated in a language study abroad program in Morocco and hopes to further global knowledge through her time at AUK and through future travel.
This is the twenty-second time since 2005 that interns have joined the American University of Kuwait from Dartmouth College.
The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) at AUK graduated the first group of trainees from the Training of Trainers (TOT) Certificate Program; a program launched in April in partnership with the Public Authority for Applied Education & Training (PAAET). The two-week program trained the participants on how to assess the levels of knowledge in training venues, identify key elements that promote learning and application, and apply the best practices of instructional methods and teaching strategies in the classroom.
A graduation ceremony was held for the participants upon completion of the program at the CCE premises in AUK, during which they received their Professional Certificates of Achievement.
Buthaina AlKhubaizi, Director of CCE, explained "This partnership is a great example for knowledge transfer between private sector training and public sector education establishments. We believe that the programs that will run under this partnership will not only benefit in the advancement of PAAET teachers, but also will broaden their knowhow and their exposure to new tools & ideas".
The Training of Trainers (TOT) Program goes in line with CCE's commitment to offer professional training to help advance the professional community in Kuwait. It is designed for trainers, instructors, teachers, and facilitators from all industries, and two more cycles will run throughout 2017.
CCE succeeded in developing and delivering Teacher Development courses & programs since 2015. Programs such as the Teacher Training Certificate: Educational Training, Teacher Training Certificate: Educational Leadership Training, and the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) focus on developing teachers anywhere from 1 year experience up to 10 years and above. While other programs, such as the Train The Trainer (TTT) ISTD Certified Program, is an internationally certified training program which focuses on developing trainers.
The center also preparing international certification programs in the field of Teacher Development, working alongside elite universities & organizations in the UK and USA to bring the Kuwaiti society an educational experience like no other.
CCE was established in 2004 and offers an array of workshops, courses, and programs aimed to assist in the personal and professional development of individuals and groups within the public and private sectors. Course offerings are specifically tailored to meet the needs of their clients, whether they are independent groups or corporations.
Images from the event
The Art & Graphic Design Department at AUK concluded its 10th annual Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition which took place from May 21st until June 1st at the Promenade Cultural Center at The Promenade Mall in Hawalli. The Exhibition offered senior students an opportunity to display their creative work, which covered to a range of topics that included social and cultural awareness, corporate identity and entrepreneurship, to experts from the industry and the public. Under the supervision of graphic design professors, Maryam Hosseinnia and Marcella Kulchitsky, participating students researched the topics of their choice and used graphic design as the medium to address their topics to target their audiences. The projects were then evaluated by the industry experts based on their creativity and presentation, their ability to conduct and use graphic design research strategy effectively, and their ability to plan and implement a compelling graphic design display.
Hosseinnia explained that the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition showcases the accumulation of all the learning outcomes rooted in the course offerings in the Graphic Design curriculum. "When students enter in the Art & Graphic Design program, often, they are quiet or shy. By the time they reach to capstone, they gained a personal voice and able to visually communicate through text and image, and they have a strong sense of critical thinking about their environment and their role as designers. As educators, our aim is to teach them about the importance of principles in design, to make them aware that through good design they can bring change within their small community and at large. They] the participating students [have a clear sense of purpose and direction as citizens of this community to advance further in their studies or professional practice," she said
Held on an annual basis, the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition brings together visitors from the field of graphic design, including experts from graphic design studios, publishing houses, film and video production companies, advertising, and multimedia firms. Mr. Richard Halabi, Creative Director of Horizon FOB Kuwait, who has been serving as exhibition jury since 2014, found this year's exhibition exceptional in many ways. "I have served as a jury since 2014 and with each year the students were getting better but this year they were exceptional in executing the concepts, ideas, presentations and designs. Also, I found that the idea of moving the exhibition out of campus to a gallery gave me the feeling as if I was in a design exhibition and not a capstone," he explained.
"With this year's Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition, we are celebrating a few extra things at AUK. First this is our largest graduating class, also, it's the tenth year graphic design is a degree program at AUK and finally, this is our first Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition being held off campus at our own alumnus' beautiful art gallery, the Promenade Cultural Center. We have a lot to celebrate along with the senior design students' final projects that demonstrate their wide ranging skills and creative abilities. At the opening event, students were already receiving job offers! Can't get much better than this!" Kulchitsky expressed.
AUK's Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition presents an opportunity for senior students to fully incorporate their design strengths and learning into a focused, extended, process of research and visual expression.
Senior student Fajer Alfadalah, who created the "Voice of Women" campaign concept, explained that her project was an effort to advocate for gender equality in Kuwait. Alfadalah remarked that the process of working on her project helped her evolve on the personal level. "Throughout my project, I did a lot of research and I met with a lot of people inside and outside of Kuwait. The experience has educated me a lot and made me stronger as a woman," she said.
Senior student Nada AlKharashi, developed a project concept called "Ta3reeb" (ta'rïb: Arabization), which was based on her observation that the GCC region lacks on Arabic type design. "In working on previous projects, it was very challenging for me to find Arabic fonts that were elegantly developed, so I decided to come up with a new Arabic font, inspired by the gulf region," she said.
AUK welcomed its ninth pair of graduate interns, Aryka Rice and Adrienne Bocci, who will be working with different AUK administrative offices until July 20th, 2017.
Aryka earned her B.A. in Health Policy Studies with a focus in Human Resources and a minor in Economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2014. She is currently enrolled in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program at Eastern Michigan University, where she serves as a graduate assistant with the McNair Scholars Program. In this role, she assists with planning programs and events for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented undergraduate students who have demonstrated strong academic potential in their journey in obtaining their Ph.D.
Additionally, Aryka is a graduate intern at the University of Michigan in the Center for Campus Involvement (CCI). Her work there is focused on enhancing the work experience for student staff by coordinating learning and professional development initiatives. As an undergraduate, she became interested in the field of student affairs during her employment in the Office for Student Engagement's Community Involvement and Volunteerism Center (CIViC), which nurtured a passion for student development and engagement.
While at AUK, Aryka has been working in the Office of the Registrar and in the Office of Student Life.
"My time in Kuwait has been truly eye-opening and culturally enriching. I have had the amazing opportunity to engage with students, staff, and faculty to learn more about the AUK community, Kuwait, and the Gulf region. Through my internship placements, I have been challenged to think quickly and critically, in hopes of making a positive contribution, as well as, gaining invaluable skills to be used in my professional career and beyond. The AUK community has made me feel connected, welcomed, and included and I am most grateful. My experience thus far has been awesome and I look forward to what the next few weeks brings," she said.
Adrienne spent five years volunteering, working, and traveling, in the hopes of discovering her calling after she had earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Oregon in 2010. She had volunteered as a tutor for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Portland Community College, served in the United States Peace Corps in Kazakhstan, and held a position as a Mental Health Counselor/Assistant in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly two years. During that period, she also backpacked through eight countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America.
Adrienne is currently completing her M.S. in Educational Leadership & Policy with a concentration in Post-Secondary, Adult, & Continuing Education (PACE) at Portland State University (PSU) in Oregon. Her degree will include graduate certificates in Student Affairs in Higher Education and Service-Learning in Higher Education. During her first year as a graduate student, she interned with TRiO College First through Mt. Hood Community College and was an Academic Advising Assistant in PSU's Computer Science Department.
Since September 2016, Adrienne has been serving as PSU's Education Abroad Graduate Assistant. Through this role, she has been working with international faculty-led programs, providing administrative support, and assisting with event planning.
Through all of these experiences, Adrienne has developed an interest in student affairs and working with adult learners. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a career in international affairs in higher education.
While at AUK, Adrienne will be working in the Counseling Center and with Learning Support Services.
"My experience in Kuwait so far has exceeded my expectations. Everyone at AUK (students, staff, administrators, and even the security guards) has been so friendly. I feel very welcome here. It has also been fascinating to experience what Ramadan is like in Kuwait, and I've really enjoyed exploring Salmiya," she expressed.
The internship program started in 2009, and in 2011 won the NASPA Best Practice Award for International Exchange Programs, it is designed to provide graduate students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience within the professional areas of Student Affairs/Student Services. Several past interns have returned to work professionally in the Arabian Gulf region, and almost half have conducted presentations at either the NASPA annual conference or Gulf region conference following their experience. Through these collective experiences interns gain a deeper understanding of higher education administration, are provided multiple placements to gain varying perspectives and experiences, and acquire specific skill sets which will help prepare them for a career in the profession.
The College of Business & Economics at AUK hosted a talk entitled "Kuwait Law 116 of 2013 - Changing Business & Economic Landscape in Kuwait" by Mr. Hamad Faisal AlSaad, an administrator in the Licensing and Investment Registry Section of One Stop Shop Department at the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The talk was organized for BUS 321 - International Business students and was open to the AUK community.
The primary objective of the talk was to expose students to a major shift in Kuwait's policy and orientation, which is paving the way for more significant role of the private sector in Kuwait's economy.
"Mr. AlSaad is a graduate of AUK, and the College of Business and Economics takes pride in having its graduate come back as a guest speaker. A significant number of CBE students attended today to learn about how foreign investment contributes to Kuwait's efforts toward building a more sustainable economy" said Dr. Ralph Palliam, Associate Professor of Management and Dean of the College of Business And Economics at AUK.
As an oil-based economy, Kuwait launched in 2013 Kuwait Vision 2035 in an effort to diversify its economy. Through Kuwait National Plan, branded as "New Kuwait" Kuwait hopes to transform the country into a regional financial and cultural hub in the next two decades. The Plan includes positioning Kuwait as a global hub for the petrochemical industry and increases direct foreign investment by 300 percent. Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) was established to promote and facilitate foreign investment in vital economic sectors such as information technology, services, and renewable energy, among others.
Hamad Faisal AlSaad received a BBA in management from AUK in 2014. He went on to work as an administrator in the Licensing and Investment Registry Section of KDIPA, and he earned an MBA from GUST in 2016. Hamad is passionate about making Kuwait more conducive for business through direct investment in Kuwait. He frequently conducts presentations in Kuwait and around the world and was an enthusiastic promoter of KDIPA sharing its success stories.
About Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) was established in accordance with Law No. 116of 2013. This Law grants KDIPA financial and administrative independence to attractvalue added investment opportunities through incentives, exemptions and guarantees granted to investors. It establishes economic zones in coordination with the government authorities to promote direct investment in the State of Kuwait. Through One Stop Shop, KDIPA handles investment licenses and Coordinates with other public authorities to facilitate doing business in Kuwait. KDIPA is one of Kuwait's economic implementation arms, taking on developmental, promotional, regulatory, and advocacy roles.
Image of the event
The Drama Program at AUK presented its annual spring theatre production, The Games Afoot, in April, in the Black Box Theatre. The play was written by Ken Ludwig and the production was directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre/Drama, Dr. Kathleen R. Downs, under the auspice of the Music and Drama Department. The company consisted of 27 members and volunteers and featured a cast of veteran AUK actors. Over a period of eleven weeks, the cast and crew worked together to bring the words to life.
Ludwig's play centers on the famous 19th century American actor, William Gillette. Gillette was famous for his portrayal of the Sherlock Holmes character on stage and a pioneer in the realistic style of acting. Playing Holmes made Gillette wealthy and famous. He used his wealth to build a 24-room castle with many futuristic gadgets built into it, on the Connecticut River . In this tale of intrigue, set in 1936, the audience was introduced to Gillette (Faisel Alluhaidan), his somewhat dotty and overprotective mother, Martha (Yasmeen Abdelnaeem), a not very clever up-and-coming young actor, Simon Bright (Samer Abou Zeid), a beautiful young actress, Aggie Wheeler (Sarah Al-Khulaifi), Felix (Yousef Maged Nayef), who plays Watson to Gillette's Sherlock, Felix's wife, Madge (by Maryam Hassanein), and theatre critic Daria Chase (Raghda Rustom). Ludwig aslo adds police Inspector Harriet/Harry Goring (Rama Sabbagh/Omar Al-Farsi), who manages to solve crimes despite often missing obvious clues.
The crew combined their technical and artistic talents to create the setting and mood for the play. Maryam Bin-Jassem and Dalal Al-Zaid handled the lighting, while Mohamad Abdulasalam and Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed managed the sound. Fatema Al-Mazyed and Tamara Khodor Labbane put the costumes together and Tamara Khodor Labbane applied the makeup with help from Maryam Hassanein, while Layali Al- Qarooni and Mohammed T. Al-Saeed supplied the props. Set Construction was led by Mubarak M. Al-Mushwit, assisted by Sarah Yousef Mukhaizeen and Dorotes De Leo. The poster was designed by Muhannad Al-Wazzen, who also recorded the play with help from Al-Anoud Ahmed.
Maryam Hassanein served as Stage Manager, Ken Downs as the Set Designer/Technical Director, and Masswo Issi, aided by Nezar Fouad, was the Public Relations Director/ House Manager.
"As we all struggle for a semblance of order in our lives, at a time when maybe we all don't laugh enough, this hard-working ensemble group of students, graduates and faculty offered the AUK community a chance to laugh. We hope you enjoyed it!" Said Downs
Some of the students were registered for the Theatre Production class, while others were returning alumni. The Department of Music and Drama offers a wide range of opportunities for both beginning and advanced students within the context of a liberal arts education. The Music and Drama faculty of talented professionals work closely with students to prepare them for campus concerts and plays, and to academically challenge them in courses on performing arts. The department fosters artistic proficiency, cultural appreciation, a sense of community, and a lifelong commitment to the arts.
Images from the play
Students who were invited to the reception were:
| Zainah S Ben Salamah | Dana J Al-Zuraiqi |
| Noura A Zaher | Ramina M Ghorban Daei |
| Abdulmohsen A AlQattan | Hanzada A El-Kordy |
| Rabab A Al-Shamaa | Sara K Al-Hussaini |
| Shaikhah F Al-Ofan | Aaliyah A Behbehani |
| Hind O Al-Sahaf | Mohammed Khaled Al-Hussaini |
| Dima F Jadayel | Munira M Al-Marzook |
| Leena M El Hawary | Esra'a Ahmad Al-Kandari |
| Batoul S Chahine | Merna Hamed |
| Fatemah A Al-Attar | Fahad N Al-Thakeer |
| Nora M Al-Sabah | Nosaiba A Binnaji |
| Maha S Al-Mulla | Sarah R Behbehani |
| Ahmad M.Al-Naqeeb | Wadha N Al-Rashid |
| Naser M AlQadiri | Abdulaziz K Burashed |
| Nada M Al-Kharashi | Dalal K Al-Sane |
| Deemah A Al-Suraiee | Munirah M Mohammad |
The Exhibition was coordinated by Professor William Andersen and the showcased artwork came from classes of professors William Andersen, Maryam Hosseinnia, Marcella Kulchitsky, Joo Won Lee, Clark Stoeckley, Antonia Stamos, Rita Merheb, and Claire Giddings.
The Exhibition will remain on display in the President's Office until Spring 2018 available to be viewed by dignitaries and other honored visitors to the University.
Images from the event
Members of the Model United Nations at the American University of Kuwait (AUKMUN) acquired several awards during the United Ambassadors Model United Nations Conference, which was held at the United Nations building in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 2017. The theme of the conference was "the road to Sustainable Global Development in light of social, economic and security-related challenges in the modern world." The AUKMUN delegation consisted of 6 members: Sabah Al-Sabah (President), Ali Al-Qallaf (Vice President), Hunter Headaphol, Anjan Sethi, Moneera Al-Shatti, and Hussain Khashab.
The Conference featured an accurate simulation of the United Nations, which allowed delegates to acquire a practical understanding of how the United Nations operates and learn about its decision-making processes. Throughout its four days, Sabah Al-Sabah was elected as the Vice President of the General Assembly and was in charge of coordinating and supervising the various sessions of the Assembly.
Ali Al-Qallaf and Hunter Headaphol served as members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and represented the Republic of Italy. Their objective was to write a resolution and provide press and presidential statements that addressed issues on aviation and cyber security amidst escalating terrorist activities. Ali and Hunter created a consensus among all members of the Committee and worked with other members to pass a resolution by unanimous consent, despite the fact that they did not possess UNSC veto privileges. Hunter also participated in a media stakeout, where he was required to respond to questions posed by the press regarding Italy's involvement in the negotiations. Ali and Hunter were both presented with the Diplomacy Award.
Anjan Sethi represented Japan in a committee called "Empowering of Women," which focused on ending discrimination and violence against women. The objective of the Committee was to write a resolution with consensus. The task was particularly challenging, as different countries had their own take on topics such as forced prostitution, women's sexuality and the problem of domestic violence. After two days of intense negotiations among the delegates, a consensus was reached. Anjan firmly believes that the format of the conference made him understand the power of diplomacy. "I will forever cherish this amazing experience, which not only made me more aware of the United Nations, but provided me with an opportunity to meet an amazing group of people from across the world," he explained.
Moneera Al-Shatti represented Japan as a member of the Economic and Financial Committee. Her main objective was to find solutions for climate change based on the UN sustainable development goals. Japan was known to have achieved the highest level of energy efficiency in the world, so its role in this conference was significant when it came to drafting the final resolution. Moneera was praised for sharing the information she gathered about the subject prior to the conference with other delegates and for coming up with viable proposals. This allowed the group to arrive at a consensus on preparing the final document. In the process, Moneera was presented with the Best Position Paper Award.
Finally, Hussain Khashab served on the Disarmament & International Security Committee (DISEC). He took a bold initiative and decided to form the G77+China political Block. The Block, which consisted of more than 8 delegates, unanimously elected him as leader. Hussain's Committee was unique in that it was the first UA-MUN Committee to break the previous record of inserting operative clauses in a resolution and raising the number from 33 to 42. Hussain also won the Best Position Paper Award.
For their performance at the conference, AUKMUN received the Outstanding Delegation Award, which was accepted by Sabah Al-Sabah on behalf of himself and his delegates. This year, under the leadership of Sabah Al Sabah as President and Ali Al-Qallaf as Vice President, AUKMUN has acquired the highest number of awards as a single delegation.
While in Geneva, members of AUKMUN also got the chance to meet with H.E. Jamal Al-Ghunaim, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations within the United Nations complex.
AUKMUN serves as one of the active Student Clubs at AUK. Since 2015 its financial and advisory support has been under the direct supervision of the Department of International Relations, which enables AUKMUN to function and plan according to its long term objectives.
"The AUKMUN, under the sponsorship and direction of the Department of International Relations has managed to take practical steps to provide the opportunity for all students at AUK to experience the art of diplomacy and negotiation in an increasingly globalized world. The students representing AUK in Geneva were representatives of the College of Business and Economics and the College of Arts and Sciences," said Dr. Gholam R. Vatandoust AUKMUN Advisor and Professor of Near Eastern Studies and History at AUK.
Images from the event
Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was awarded with a Doctorate of Humane Letters for founding Kuwait's first and only liberal arts university.
By Mohammad Al-Otaibi NEW HAMPSHIRE, US, June 12 (KUNA)
US Ivy League member, Dartmouth College, awarded on Sunday Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with a Doctorate of Humane Letters for founding Kuwait's first and only liberal arts university.
Dartmouth, that is consistently ranked among the world's greatest academic institutions, recognized nine accomplished men and women including Sheikha Dana, the first Arab women, with honorary degrees at the College's 2017 Commencement.
During his speech, President Phil Hanlon, acknowledged Al-Sabah's guidance to the institution as Chair of the Board of Trustees with "creativity, integrity, and a deep commitment to pluralism and global learning." As a devoted partner to Dartmouth, Hanlon said Al-Sabah has enriched the experiences of students, faculty and staff at both institutions through "robust cross-cultural internships, fellowships, and research partnerships." Therefore, for her pioneering spirit, commitment to academic excellence in the liberal arts tradition, and dedication to providing students in Kuwait with the breadth and depth of knowledge required for leadership in the contemporary world, Dartmouth's president proudly awarded her the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
After the ceremony, Al-Sabah, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait (AUK), told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) she is honored and proud for receiving such distinction from a prestigious institution as Dartmouth College, and being the only Arab today among notable scientists, athletes, philanthropists, artists, entrepreneurs, and journalists. "I dedicate this distinction to my country, its leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, my family, AUK's cofounders and the beautiful dedicated AUK community without whom I would not be here," she said. She emphasized on the role played by the Government of Kuwait for believing and supporting private universities.
In 2001, an Amiri Decree was issued to enable the private sector of investing in establishing institutions of higher education.
Al-Sabah who is also the chairwoman of United Education Co. (UEC), Kuwait's leading company in the educational sector, said she was first exposed to Liberal Arts Education at Indiana University, Bloomington in 1990, where she took courses in philosophy, literature, art history, and critical thinking. In 2003, a University based on the American model of Liberal Arts education was established. According to Al-Sabah, their aim was to build a model that inspires intellectual curiosity and critical thinking and that encourages both students and faculty to think across disciplines, ask better questions, and prepare for a world in which change is inevitable, sometimes disruptive and often unpredictable, especially in the Middle East region.
Thirteen years later, with over 3,500 graduates, many of whom have and are pursuing their higher education in the US, some in Ivy Leagues institution, Al-Sabah said "we find ourselves as the leading institution in the Liberal Arts realm in Kuwait." Such accomplishment, she added, would not have been possible without Dartmouth's continuous guidance and support throughout their journey from inception to present. "Our partnership is instrumental as we continue to advocate the liberal arts over more conventional forms of education," she said. Dartmouth College, founded in 1769, in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the international partner institution to the AUK.
Both institutions have worked closely together since 2003, when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding that facilitated a series of advisory, consultative, and cooperative projects. The initial agreement was recently renewed for a third time in April 2013 to extend through 2018. Dartmouth and AUK share a commitment to excellence in higher learning, and the agreement between them reflects AUK's growing stature as a premier academic institution in the Gulf region and beyond.
Images from the event
Photos courtesy of Dartmouth College
Republished Article: Courtesy of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
12/06/2017 |LOC09:20 06:20 GMT | Kuwait News
