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Since 2006, AUK students have travelled to Hanover, New Hampshire, USA to immerse themselves in true American academic college experiences at Dartmouth College. This opportunity comes as a result of the Dartmouth-AUK Internship Exchange which was a component of the Dartmouth-AUK Memorandum of Understanding. The student exchange program offers students internships in various disciplines and promotes professional and personal growth in academia and labor productivity.

This summer, 4 AUK students participated in the exchange program: Budour Al-Ansari, Vincent Puyat, Hadeel El-Liethy, and Omar Khalil. Each student interned in departments and programs that ranged from Budour's internship at Dartmouth's Office of Communications, Hadeel and Vincent's internship at the TUCKGO-office- that enabled MBA students to have first-hand experiences of different cultures through travel-to Omar's intensive two-week SISMAT program that explored the ins and outs of hacking, including ethics and creative techniques.

Each student gave a detailed account of their month-long experience at Dartmouth. Their tales included many anecdotes involving several aspects of their lives that would undoubtedly be affected when one delves into a new environment and culture. The following section details some of their experiences that would shed light on what future exchange students could look forward to and expect during their time at Dartmouth:-

Culture, Environment & Activities
The students who participate in this program not only represent AUK, but Kuwait as a whole. Therefore, they have the opportunity to represent one culture, while exploring another in ways that would bridge cultural gaps and stereotypes. Bedour Al-Ansari says, "Not only is the environment friendly in Hanover, but the people are too. Once, while I was eating my lunch alone in the diner, two Dartmouth students asked if they could join me at the table, which gave me an idea of how friendly the students are." The ability to communicate with locals initiates a mutual understanding of customs and tradition.

While most of their time is spent on the Dartmouth campus, the students did have the opportunity to explore their surroundings. Led by program manager for the Dartmouth-AUK Program, Elizabeth Hindmarsh, many outdoor activities were planned to immerse the students in their new surroundings. Hiking beside the Connecticut River and the Gile Mountain Tower Trail, kayaking and paddle boarding are a few that the students experienced during their stay. They were also able to attend the 4th of July Hanover parade, which made for a well-rounded cultural experience between nature and history.

Academics
There was something to be learned in every aspect of the students' time at Dartmouth; through this experience, they learned lessons and acquired skills that can not only be beneficial for their professional careers, but can also be utilized in their academic careers as well. While Budour audited a history class she found herself inspired by the other students to participate in a class debate, "Some of the students who contributed were very energetic, ready to share their ideas with everyone. I hope that this taught me a lesson to always speak up in class and to never be afraid to participate in future classes." Omar Khalil signed up for Dartmouth's two-week intensive SISMAT program; he claims, "I feel that my cognitive ability and problem solving skills are now in a state that is much more developed than it used to be before undertaking the SISMAT program, which I believe was the aim all along."

Work Experience
A part of the internship at Dartmouth is to work in an office environment, which provides the students with a glimpse of what is to come after they graduate. Hadeel El-Liethy and Vincent Puyat both interned at the TUCKGO office which involved sending MBA students abroad to learn about other cultures. The office consisted of three teams and the students had the opportunity to work for all of them which gave them a deeper understanding of how the department operated. Hadeel said, "Working and researching for all three teams was beneficial not only to the team but to myself too. I learned how to deal with ambiguity in instructions that were given to me at work. I was able to research and use their library database (which was HUGE by the way) and accommodate my own needs." Self-sufficiency and effort are important attributes for anyone entering the workforce, and the students were able to acquire these skills through their internship.

Personal Growth
For several of the students, it was their first time travelling alone for a long period of time. This gave them courage to rely on themselves and prompted them to organize their schedules to be efficient with their time. They faced challenges from delayed flights, figuring out local bus routes, to encouraging themselves to speak up in class, and living up to the responsibilities they were entrusted with.

This summer marks 10 years since Dartmouth has welcomed AUK students for the purpose of this program. Students have returned with confidence, drive and knowledge which would undoubtedly serve them greatly in their future endeavors.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 1st September 2016

Last week marked the opening of Red Bull's Art of Can Exhibition at 360 Mall in Kuwait (June 15 - June 25). Out of 200 participants, 50 projects which were created out of Red Bull cans were exhibited. 11 of those projects were by AUK students, developed as part of a course on 3 Dimensional Design (3D Design) taught at AUK's Department of Art & Graphic Design.

This was the first time for the majority of the students to be producing 3D art; they did a lot of iterations through initial sketches and sketch models prior to launching into final production. This practice not only helped students overcome their inhibitions but also helped them plan and produce within given time frames. Merrit Riad, a junior in Graphic Design says that, "Learning the elements and principals of design really changed how I speak about art. It taught me how to understand it better and be professional in expressing and talking about it."

Taiba Al-Nafisi reflects that, 'on a purely technical level, my actual piece would not have been completed in the allotted time were it not for the practice of producing throughout the semester.'

While brainstorming ideas for their project, the students themselves chose their area of design interest while developing her/his own tactility method for crafting with metal.The students' exhibited designs ranged from product design, lighting, sculpture, fashion and furniture design, each was crafted with uniquely resolved technical details. Lubna Khader shares that, 'at the exhibition, I received comments about the high quality and minute details in my dress design. This encourages me for future projects I am going to do in the university.'

The Art of Can is an exhibition that was featured by Red Bull since 1999. Held in different countries, the exhibition allows artists of different disciplines to showcase their creativity using Red Bull cans. A panel of professional judges offers critique and interpretation to the exhibited artists and a winner is chosen on opening night.

AUK Students exhibiting at Art of Can 2016, Kuwait:
Muhannad Al-Wazzan
Taiba Al-Nafisi
Taiba Ismail
Karim Omran
Shaymaa Al-Safar
Manal Fares
Shouq Al-Suraie
Jumana Mohammad
Lubna Khader
Merrit Riad
Dua'a Al-Qattan

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 22nd May 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

AUK is pleased to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Algonquin College (AC), Kuwait's first Canadian College. The MOU will enable the two institutes to collaborate in several areas, such as academics, and social and cultural activities.

AUK President, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, looks forward to establishing a long-lasting relationship with the college. "Algonquin College shares the same dedication towards its students as AUK. The relationship between the two institutes is a mutually beneficial one; one that enables smooth academic, intellectual, and extracurricular exchange," he said.

Dr. Dave McHardy, President of AC-Kuwait, said "Algonquin College provides students with the practical skills they need to enter the workforce and the academic skills they need to successfully pursue further studies. This agreement with AUK establishes the framework for us to create clear pathways for AC-Kuwait graduates to gain admission to Bachelor's degree programs at AUK and to explore other potential areas of collaboration with AUK. It is agreements like this that will help institutions like AC-Kuwait make significant contributions to the Government of Kuwait's efforts to train effective leaders and build the capacity of its workforce."

About Algonquin College

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.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 22nd June 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

Two AUK teams competed in the 2016 Startup Kuwait National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge held in Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa on 29 and 30 May, 2016. The initiative was launched by Kuwait University's Global Center to enable students to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions in the face of current social and economic challenges.

Kuwait Startup is under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Yousef Al-Ali and Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Bader Al-Eissa who attended the event along with the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.

Over 600 students competed in the challenge from GUST, ACK, Box Hill College and Kuwait University.

Participating teams presented their business ideas to a panel of judges consisting of entrepreneurs, Dr. Saad Al-Barrak, Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and John Preseton from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in addition to audience members that included investors and fellow students.

One of the two AUK teams was selected as one of 5 winners of Kuwait Startup; students Ahmed Khalil and Abdullah Al-Ansari received KD 3000 to start their project, and were honored in an awards ceremony that was attended by AUK Dean of the College of Business and Economics Dr. Jin Wang.

Startup Kuwait is an initiative that was formally launched in November 2015 by the Global Center at Kuwait University's College of Business Administration. It is backed up by a Government allocation of KD 2 Billion to fund and support businesses.  

Image from the Event

AUK welcomed its eighth pair of graduate interns, Nicholas (Nick) Martin and Jeffry Neuhouser, who will spend eight weeks of the summer completing graduate internships. Martin will be working with the Office of Student Life and the Office of Admissions, while Neuhouser will spend his time at AUK working for Academic Advising & Learning Support Services and on study abroad initiatives in the Office of the President.

Martin is a graduate student from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, where he is pursuing a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. He completed his undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management. Before beginning his graduate studies at Virginia Tech, Martin served as a Program Specialist Intern within the Student Life and Recreation Department for a year at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. His duties included advising the Campus Activities Board and supervising a small staff of work-study students.

When asked about his experience in Kuwait thus far, Martin said he finds it exciting. "Seeing how the American model of higher education that I've grown accustomed to can be transposed onto Middle Eastern culture has been fascinating. The Office of Student Life and the Office of Admissions have been very friendly and welcoming while never hesitating to answer any of my many questions. I feel that I'm learning new strategies for student development every day in addition to helping my respective offices consider new perspectives based on my past experiences. In short, I'm very thankful for this opportunity and I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the summer brings!" he said.

Meanwhile, Neuhouser is completing his Master's degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He completed his undergraduate education at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where he received his BA in History with a minor in Political Science. He then completed a Master's degree in History from Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. At Ball State, his graduate assistantships were in the Office of Study Abroad as well as the Academic Advising Office. Neuhouser is passionate about university excellence as well as teaching and is pursuing a certificate in University and College Teaching. He will complete his degree in summer 2016 and, shortly after graduating, will begin his first fulltime position at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana as a Career Advisor.

When asked about his reasons for coming to the Middle East, Neuhouser explained that he wanted to experience higher education outside of North America. "To add an international perspective to my program, I decided to look into internships and positions outside of the United States. I believe that the American University of Kuwait will open up doors to work in higher education internationally for the rest of my career and I pursued the internship because I deeply believed that the experience would challenge and strengthen me. This has been true thus far and has been an eye opening experience," he said.

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.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 14th June 2016

In May, the Art & Graphic Design Department at AUK concluded its 9th annual Capstone Exhibition. The Exhibition offered seniors an opportunity to showcase their creative work, which covered to a range of topics that included social and cultural awareness, corporate identity and entrepreneurship, to the public and have their designs considered by renowned experts from the industry.

Under the supervision of Rita Merheb Khair, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at AUK, participating students investigated a topic of their choice, researched and analyzed it, and designed communication tools that addressed their target audiences through the medium of Graphic Design.

The exhibited projects reflected a culmination of semester-long, self-initiated, and self-directed ideas implemented through diverse applications. The projects were evaluated 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.

The Capstone Exhibition is held annually. It 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. According to Merheb, "This exhibition is an opportunity for our students to present themselves, their creative capabilities, and their technical skills, through a project in which they have utilized everything they have learned over the past four years. It also gives them exposure, a good body of work to include in their portfolios, and most importantly the strength and the courage they need to move on to the next stage in their lives, whether it is further studies, or the professional world of Graphic Design"

As one of the final year courses, the GDES Capstone course is designed to teach graduating students how to visualize the complex intersection between personal voice, conceptual understanding, and the use of research for a graphic design exhibition. Maryam Hosseinnia, Chair of the Department of Art & Graphic Design, explained that the showcased designs displayed the students' capabilities. "The Capstone is meant to be the culmination of four years of learning for our Graphic Design majors, showcasing their design, talents, abilities, and learning. The faculty of Art & Graphic Design is constantly working to improve the learning environment for the students. The faculty is involved throughout their creative project learning and development. This Capstone shows the hard work and earned expertise of our students as well," she said.

AUK's Graphic Design Capstone represents an opportunity for senior students to fully incorporate their design strengths and learning into a focused, extended process of research and visual expression. The projects are diverse, reflecting individual student investigations into their topic of choice.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 12th June 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

AUK held its annual graduation commencement for the Class of 2016 on Thursday June 5th, where 367 students officially became AUK graduates, amongst whom where 24 graduates with honors, 21 with high honors and 6 with highest honors. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait's Council of Ministers, and was attended by His Excellency Dr. Bader Al-Essa, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Professor Dr. Habib Abul, Secretary General of Private Universities; and Shaikha Dana Naser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Founder and Chair of AUK's Board of Trustees, along with 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 11th graduation ceremony and officially inaugurated the ceremony by introducing the traditional processionals of the faculty and graduates. After the processional, all attendees were asked to rise for the National Anthem, which was followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran that emphasized the value of education for humanity.

In his opening remarks, Professor Dr. Nizar Hamzeh addressed the graduates and congratulated them for their successful completion of an important phase in their lives. In his speech, Hamzeh explained that education is a bundle of learnt experiences and self-disciplines that stay with the graduates for life. "We set out to prepare leaders who will excel in their fields and apply the critical thinking skills they acquired from the liberal arts education they received at AUK to make the best decisions that will benefit their countries and communities. I am confident in your abilities and believe in each of you to carry on AUK's legacy of producing strong and successful alumni," he said.

President Hamzeh then invited this year's keynote speaker, H.E. Dr. Bader Al-Essa, to stage to deliver his keynote address.

The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Bader Al-Eissa addressed the graduates saying, "It is a great honor to have His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah present to celebrate the sons and daughters of this dear nation."

Dr. Eissa congratulated the students on achieving their goal of graduating with academic and professional skills that they could utilize in the future, "As it is their duty now to contribute to the development of this country."

Following the keynote address, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, the Dean of Student Affairs, addressed the attendees and the graduates. "We are confident that they will excel in whichever path their future leads them to, for we were witness to this excellence while being honored to nourish it in the last few years. This group has often been vital in enriching our lives at AUK, staff and faculty alike, and here we are today, ready to follow their progress as they move to enrich your lives," Dean Muzaffar said.

Dr. Muzaffar then announced this year's valedictorians, Batul Sadliwala from the College of Arts & Sciences, who earned the valedictorian distinction with a 4.0 GPA, and Sara Lobbad from the College of Business & Economics, who earned the valedictorian distinction with a GPA of 3.99, and invited Sadliwala to deliver a speech to her peers and guests.

In her speech, Sadliwala explained that her experience at AUK was one that exposed her to a diverse community of talented individuals who challenged, motivated and mentored her throughout the past four years. "Everyday, we embrace and celebrate the diversity amongst our ranks. And as we leave here today, my fellow graduates, let us make a promise to always remember that celebration, to remember that difference is always enriching," she said.

Following the Valedictorian remarks, H.H. Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; H.E. Dr. Bader Hamad Al-Essa; and Professor Dr. Nizar Hamzeh were invited to present the graduation diplomas for the AUK Honors graduates

The event then proceeded to the part of the ceremony most anticipated by the students; the distribution of their earned degrees. The Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Rawda Awwad, recommended the conferral of degrees for the graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences, while Dean of the College of Business & Economics, Dr. Jin Wang, recommended the conferral of degrees for the graduates of the College of Business & Economics to President Hamzeh, who then conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees. The graduates were then awarded their bachelor's degree diplomas by Dr. Hamzeh, H.E. Dr. Bader Al-Essa, Dean Rawda Awwad, and Dean Jin Wang.

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.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 8th June 2016

Since its establishment in 2009, the American University of Kuwait's College of Business & Economics Advisory Board (CBE - AB) has been working closely with the College Dean to support initiatives that advance the College. The Advisory Board is comprised of business leaders who are interested in quality education and are committed to serving and advocating for the College and offer practical insight to the academic curriculum.

In May 2016, Sara Akbar, Chief Executive Officer of the Kuwait Energy Company, was appointed as Chairperson of the Advisory Board, following the departure of the former Chairman, Mr. Robert Drolet, former Senior Vice President of Technology & Media at KIPCO. Mr. Drolet has served as Chair of the CBE Advisory Board since its inception in 2009.

Dean of the College of Business & Economics, Dr. Jin Wang thanked Mr. Drolet for his services and dedication to the advancement of the College and welcomed Ms. Akbar as the new chair saying "Ms. Akbar brings with her 30 years of experience in areas such as strategy development, portfolio management and strategic relationships, which are essential to further developing new plans for the future and earning accreditations".

Wang explained that it is critical for the College to have the Advisory Board, as its members can be supporters of the College and serve as public ambassadors to reach the larger community. "I am enthusiastically looking forward to working with Ms. Sara Akbar and the Board members to develop a new plan for the future, focusing on our AACSB accreditation. The Board's support, guidance, and leadership contribute greatly to our commitment to relevant programs, outstanding opportunities for students, and ethical and impactful graduates. The board members also provide a role model for students," Wang said.

"It is a great privilege to serve on the advisory board of the collage of business and economic. Together with the other members of the board we will work very closely with Dean Jin Wang to achieve the vision of the school and deliver the best in class business education to the students of AUK," said Akbar

Key responsibilities of the Advisory Board include assisting in securing internship and employment opportunities for CBE students, fostering the research efforts of CBE faculty, and generating financial support to implement programs that enhance the overall quality of CBE's students and programs.

Current members of the Advisory Board are Dr. Jin Wang, Dean of the College of Business & Economics at AUK; Mr. Rami Wadie, Partner Enterprise Risk Services at Deloitte & Touche; Mr. Bader Alabduljader, Managing Partner at Bader Al Abduljader & Partners; Ms. Henadi Al Saleh, Chairman of Agility; Mr. Basil AlSalem, Chairman & Managing Director at Kuwait Food Concepts K.S.C.; Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout, Senior Partner in Meysan Partners; and Mr. Faisal M. Sarkhou, CEO of KAMCO.

The Advisory Board members are in the process of creating a list of topics they would offer to classes, providing valuable and high quality internship opportunities for our students, and have donated money to support student entrepreneurship competitions.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 2nd June 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016