Sharjah, June 12, 2015--His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), expressed his satisfaction at the progress and growth witnessed by AUS and approved a number of important initiatives that will further bolster the university's efforts to become the leading teaching and research university in the region. The Sharjah Ruler, who is the Chairman of the AUS Board of Trustees, delivered these remarks during the Board of Trustees' quarterly meeting held today, June 12, at the university campus.

Chief among the initiatives sanctioned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan was the approval of a proposal presented for the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering as a partnership between the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. This latest initiative follows the board's earlier approval of proposals for various graduate programs including PhD programs in business administration and engineering. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan said that this is another step towards making AUS a premier research university.

Sheikh Sultan also thanked members of the board for their efforts as well as those who had completed their tenure. The board also designated Dr. Roderick French and Dr. Leroy S. Fletcher as Emeritus Trustees.

The board discussed and approved a number of other matters pertaining to the efficient running of the university, including the university's FY 2016 budget, and the income distribution for endowed chairs and professorships as well as the awarding of rolling contracts and faculty promotions to more than 45 faculty members. The board also discussed the future course of action with regards to the Research Technology and Innovation Park and the need for coordination with Sharjah government entities and how to move forward with the master plan. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan for his continued support to AUS. "AUS is committed to providing the best education and research, both at the undergraduate and the graduate level," said Dr. Kjerfve. "The addition of new graduate programs is part of the university's drive to become one of the elite institutions for research in the Gulf and beyond. The university's future has been clearly charted and it is well on its way to achieving its goals with the guidance of His Highness and the support of the board," he added.

Prior to the board meeting, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan was presented with an artwork done by final year students from the College of Architecture, Art and Design as a token of their appreciation for his unconditional support.

For more information, please contact:
Miriam Kiwan 
Director of Strategic Communications and Media
+971 6 515 1040
mkiwan@aus.edu

Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu

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 26 majors and 52 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 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 Administration. 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 is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware.  

The bachelor of science programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering offered by the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, 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).

© Press Release 2015