Sharjah, Wednesday, January 11, 2012--American University of Sharjah (AUS) signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, Tuesday, with Al Mawakeb School and International School of Arts & Sciences at a ceremony held on campus. The partnerships provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between AUS and the two educational institutions on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of mutual interest in the United Arab Emirates.

The Sharakah program is a new strategic initiative by the Office of Enrollment Management at AUS in collaboration with selected schools from across the United Arab Emirates that will serve as an important tool to help the university engage with educational institutions at the local as well as national level.

The MoUs were signed by Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS; Omar Hatoum, Director of Al Mawakeb School; and Muheiddine Soubra, Principal of International School of Arts & Sciences.

"The Sharakah agreement aims to enhance the role of AUS in providing the necessary tools for secondary students to prepare for the university journey as well as the right base approach to guarantee success," said Dr. Heath.

"I would like to thank AUS for inviting us to be a part of the Sharakah program, which provides our students with a unique opportunity to avail of activities and workshops that will allow them to prepare for university," said Soubra.

Hatoum remarked, "AUS is regarded as one of the best universities in the Arab region, and it is a privilege to be in partnership with such a prestigious university. We are very pleased to participate in the Sharakah program."

According to the MoUs, AUS will offer workshops to students and teachers of the schools; offer patronage of selected research, cultural, social and sporting activities and events organized by the schools; award partial scholarships to deserving students selected from lists provided by the schools; and offer academic activities that would help the students prepare for university as well as recruitment of outstanding students from varied socio-cultural and economic backgrounds to AUS. The university will also offer SAT and TOEFL preparation courses for the students as required.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Provost; Ali Shuhaimy, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management; and other senior officials from the two schools and AUS.

-Ends-

About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 25 majors and 52 minors at the undergraduate level, and 13 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business and Management. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS has full approval in the United States by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. AUS is also accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and all undergraduate and graduate programs are recognized by the ministry. All six of the bachelor's degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET http://www.abet.org, of the United States. The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) as well as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees offered by the School of Business and Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

For more information, please contact:
Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu 

© Press Release 2012