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AUK held its 11th Annual Academic Showcase in April 2016. This event highlights the achievements of AUK faculty and students across varying disciplines through presentations, performances and displays. The ultimate goals for the showcase are to provide an opportunity for students to further their education and careers, and to expose 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, in addition to different music and drama performances, including a faculty duet performance. The Intensive English Program concluded the two-day event with a dramatic rendition of Love & Magic: Houdini Unchained, which involved many students.

"The annual academic showcase, provides us with an occasion to celebrate the process of learning, thinking, and becoming: the bedrock of our institution while reminding us as to why we are here and how we all as a "community of learners" continue to make a difference here and outside of the university walls," said Dr. Rawda Awwad, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Dr. Jin Wang, Dean of the College of Business & Economics commented on the event and said, "The 11th Annual Academic Showcase at AUK is a great success. I was very impressed with the talent, creativity, and accomplishments of students and faculty at AUK. Their diligence, dedication, and accomplishments made AUK a proud higher learning community. I am proud to be part of this academic institution that provides opportunities for talent to grow and develop. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to all the participating students and faculty. I also want to extend my appreciation to Ms. Dalia Hassaan, Senior Faculty Support Coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences, and her colleagues for their time and effort that are indispensable for this successful event."

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."

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 29th May 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

The Drama Program at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) presented its annual Spring 2016 theatre production, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, in the Black Box Theatre, located on AUK's campus. The play was written by Christopher Durang 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 production included performances by veteran AUK actors: Yousef Al Nayef, Raghda Rustom, and Nezar Al Tabaa. The show also introduced newcomers Lena Al-Hijji, Ali Al-Methan, and Farnaz Darvishi to the University's theatre community. Maryam Hassanein served as Stage Manager/Asst. Director for Vanya, and Sonia, and Masha and Spike. The production crew included veteran cameraman Mohammad Al-Adl and Ken Downs on lights and sound. Poster and set design were done by Ken Downs.

The company consisted of international theatre honor society Alpha Psi Omega members and volunteers who met for eight weeks during the semester. Alpha Psi Omega was founded to recognize students at four-year institutions who make significant contributions to university theatre, not just as actors but in set design and construction, lighting, sound, properties, publicity and promotion, video recording, makeup, costuming and other areas. All of the members helped each other with their various duties as they worked together to produce the show.

Durang's play centers on the universal concern about change. The lead character, Vanya, rants about changes in the climate and in life, the insanity of popular culture, and the loss of personal connections that he feels today. The other characters, Sonia, Masha, Spike, Nina and Cass, struggle with changes in their lives as well. Like most of us, they struggle with one sort of change or another as they navigate an ever-changing world. The interwoven narrative balances slapstick humor with genuine pathos as the characters confront themselves on their difficult journeys. Durang's parody on our world ends on a note of hope, symbolized by the Beatle's classic, Here Comes the Sun.

"The AUK community enjoyed entering the magical world of theatre and actors for four performances. They look forward to the next theatrical event, planned for the Fall semester of 2016," said Dr. Downs

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.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 25th May 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

The AUK Women's Volleyball team has won the University Athletics Association of Kuwait (UAAK) league after seeing off the American University of the Middle East (AUM) in the final match 3-0. AUK competed in the UAAK versus teams from Australian College of Kuwait (ACK), Gulf Institute of Science and Technology (GUST), AUM, and Arab Open University (AOU). The Volleyball Women's Coach Tala Nehmeh expressed her absolute pride and joy with the team "What can I say? Every girl on the team deserved this win. I was able to show them the way, the right way, but they have actually done all the walking. They grew as a team, on and off the court. They learned not to take any team lightly and most importantly how to come back from a fall down. The team came a long way from desiring to win to actually make it happen and that is enough to make anyone fall in love with Volleyball, our kind of Volleyball." Congratulations to the Women's Volleyball team!

The AUK Women's Soccer team triumphed in the University Athletics Association of Kuwait (UAAK) finals. Playing in the final opposite the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK), they won the title in a close penalty shoot-out. AUK competed in the UAAK versus teams from ACK, Gulf Institute of Science and Technology (GUST), and American University of the Middle East (AUM). Led by Coach Hannah Farmer, the team's efforts did not go unnoticed as she praises their performance throughout the competition, "I am so proud of the ladies this season they worked so hard and truly deserve to be winners, congratulations". The team displayed outstanding commitment and determination throughout the season, and went undefeated in all their games.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 24th May 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

The International Honor Society in Business, Delta Mu Delta, has established a new chapter at the American University of Kuwait called Xi Eta. A ceremony hosted by the chapter's advisor, Dr. Fatima Shibly was held in the Multipurpose Room on 28 April, 2016 to induct students and faculty. Attendees included AUK President Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics Dr. Jin Wang, among other faculty, staff and inductees' family members.

The ceremony featured a piano piece played by Elena Tsenkova as the inductees walked in. The Xi-Eta chapter was initiated by Dr. Perry Moore, the regional representative of Delta Mu Delta for Region 8- International, who was present via Skype.

Dr. Fatima Shibly, Dr. Mark Speece and Mr. Rabindranath Bhattacharya, were inducted as honorary members of the society by Dr. Moore. Each received a medallion, a certificate of membership and a key to the society by Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and Dr. Jin Wang.

Inducted students recited a pledge to affirm their membership and dedication to the honor society and were presented with certificates and keys to the society by Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and Dr. Jin Wang.

The honor society was founded in 1913, and has included accomplished students who have achieved academic excellence in higher education. In order to be inducted as a member, Xi Eta members must be junior or senior students of the College of Business and Economics with a GPA of 3.5 or above. Xi Eta currently has 18 members in total, along with a faculty advisor who is also an honorary member of the honor society.

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

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

In a formal signing ceremony, The American University of Kuwait (AUK) and The American University in Cairo (AUC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate bilateral collaboration between the two universities on a wide spectrum of academic programs and activities.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by AUK president Nizar Hamzeh, and AUC Provost, Sherif Sedky, to mark the beginning of collaboration between their respective institutions.

AUK President Hamzeh indicated that the purpose of the MOU "is to promote academic collaboration that would allow students and faculty from both institutions exchange knowledge, ideas, and resources contributing to academic excellence". He added, "we are very pleased with this partnership because AUC is one of the few leading universities in the region, and that our mutual goal is to expand this academic collaboration to include development of new programs, including dual or joint degrees in engineering."

"We are delighted to have acquired a new partnership with AUK to share our common goals of academic excellence, said AUC Provost Sherif Sedky. "We are especially pleased because AUK is a sister University in the region and we believe our cooperation will yield benefits to both institutions and reflect positively on the educational experience of students and faculty."

According to the MOU, possible venues of collaboration between the two universities will include, but not limited to: Articulation of course credits, study abroad or student exchange, Collaboration with the AUC Center of Teaching and Learning Collaboration with other potential areas such as executive education programs and dual degrees in engineering, in particular; mechanical, civil, architecture, and environmental

The MOU will enable students and faculty from both institutions to pursue productive academic collaboration through exchange of knowledge, ideas, and resources contributing to academic excellence.

This is not the first time AUK establishes collaboration with academic counterparts; other AUK academic collaborators include Dartmouth College and The George Washington University.

About AUC

The American University in Cairo (AUC) was founded in 1919 and is major contributor to the social, intellectual and cultural life of the Arab Region. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions, and study abroad programs. An independent, nonprofit, apolitical, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.

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

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2016

"AUK students should not only engage in academic, intellectual and public research activities but also should step outside their campus and serve their community," Said Dr. Inas Mahfouz Assistant Professor of English at AUK. Earlier this year, AUK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LOYAC) to enhance students' engagement with their community and facilitate their professional development and personal growth. This spring, Dr. Mahfouz and a total of 67 AUK students volunteered with (LOYAC) as part of their ENGL 102: Writing and Information Literacy course. The students volunteered in "Service is my Joy", a LOYAC program that gives the volunteers the chance to help the less fortunate.

ENGL102: Writing and Information Literacy aims at developing students' critical analysis and response to different issues. To give it a more hands-on dimension, Dr. Mahfouz decided this semester to engage her students with their community through community-based writing. Through LOYAC's "Service is my Joy", the students engaged in different activities at different centers around Kuwait. Some students helped mentally disabled children at Abeer2; others supported autistic people at Paradise; a third group cooperated together to clean beaches and the last group volunteered at Kuwait Red Crescent Society. "Despite some concerns at the beginning, the students enjoyed the experience of giving back to their community and also the fact that they would write about their real life experience," said Dr. Mahfouz

Dr. Mahfouz and her students have taken writing outside the typically protected classrooms and placed it in direct contact with the community and its problems. This community-based writing course has culminated in detailed analyses of the LOYAC website, approximately a 15,000-word blog where students record their feelings about service. Finally, the students have written research papers discussing community service and higher education from different perspectives based on their experience with LOYAC. To students, this was a life changing experience as one of them puts it "When I go there and they [the children] hear my voice talking to the nurses, even before they see me, they start calling me!! That is truly the happiest moment of my Sundays and Wednesdays!"

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 19th May 2016

AUK held its semi-annual President's Honor Roll and Dean's Honor List ceremony in recognition of top student academic achievers for Fall 2015 semester. The ceremony was held in the AUK Auditorium, where students, parents, AUK faculty members and staff, as well as members of the AUK Board Trustees supported the honored students. AUK President Professor Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and the deans were present to honor the students and celebrate their achievements.

In his opening remarks, President Hamzeh inaugurated the ceremony and expressed pride in celebrating the academic achievements of all the students who earned the distinction through their commitment and dedication.

Following the opening remarks, each of the students from the different excellence categories was called to the stage to accept their awards from President Hamzeh and the college deans.

29 students were awarded a place on the President's Honor Roll, a high distinction awarded exclusively to those who maintained a 4.0 GPA for the term. 124 students were recognized for achieving the Dean's Honor List, a distinction awarded by the college deans to students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.7. Dr. Ali Charara, Acting Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), and Dr. Jin Wang, Dean of the College of Business & Economics (CBE) presented the recipients with their awards.

Congratulations to the following achievers:

President's Honor Roll Awardees

Dean's Honor List Awardees

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Business & Economics

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 18th May 2016

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2015