By Gureni Lukwaro

American University of Sharjah (AUS) welcomed 12 prominent authors from all around the world to give lectures about their works as part of the university’s Fall 2015 Visiting Authors Week, which was held in conjunction with the Sharjah International Book Fair.

The Visiting Authors Week ran November 5-15, 2015 and it attracted students, faculty, staff and other members of the AUS community.

In addition to speaking generally about their lives, work and experiences, the visiting authors read from their books and held workshops. The authors who came were:

Sefi Atta

Sefi Atta was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1964. She was educated there, in England and the United States.

A former chartered accountant and CPA, she is the author of Everything Good Will Come (2005), Swallow (2010), News from Home (2010), and A Bit of Difference (2013).

In 2006, she was awarded the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, and in 2009 the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa.

In 2010 she was on the jury for the Neustadt International Prize for Literature. Also a playwright, her radio plays have been broadcast by the BBC and her stage plays have been performed internationally.

She divides her time between Nigeria, England and the United States.

Ben Okri

Ben Okri has published many books, including The Famished Road, which won the Man Booker Prize. His work has been translated into 26 languages and won numerous international prizes including the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for Africa, the Paris Review Aga Khan Prize for Fiction, and the Chianti Ruffino-Abtico Fattore International Literary Prize. His most recent book is The Age of Magic, which was his first novel for seven years.

Okri is a vice-president of the English Centre of International PEN and was presented the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum for his outstanding contribution to the Arts and cross-cultural understanding in 1995. He has been a Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge and is an honorary fellow of Mansfield College, Cambridge. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature since 1987 he was awarded an OBE in 2001.

He was born in Nigeria, and lives in London.

Fatima Bhutto

Fatima Bhutto was born in Kabul. She is the author of The Shadow of the Crescent Moon and Songs of Blood and Sword.

A Pakistani poet and writer born into the Bhutto family, she is the granddaughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto, niece of Benazir Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto, and daughter of Murtaza Bhutto.

Bhutto came to public note after the publication of her first book, a collection of poems, Whispers of the Desert. She received notable coverage for her second book, 8:50 a.m. 8 October 2005.

Bhutto is active in Pakistan's social-political arena, supporting her stepmother Ghinwa Bhutto's party the Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto), but has no desire to run for political office.

Joan Bauer

Joan Baehler Bauer is an American writer of young adult literature and currently resides in Brooklyn. The main characters in her books are typically teenagers who are dealing with complicated family issues, such as alcoholism, abandonment, illness and self-esteem issues, but such issues are faced with a light touch and humor is added in to lighten it up.

Bauer was born in River Forest, Illinois, in 1951. Before publishing her first book, she worked for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill Books and WLS Radio. She has won several awards for her writing including a Los Angeles Times Book Prize (for young-adult literature, Rules of the Road, in 1998), a Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (for fiction, Rules of the Road, in 1999), and a Christopher Award (Close to Famous, one of six Books for Young People named in 2012). Bauer is married and the parent of one daughter.

Bauer's first book was set in rural Iowa: Squashed, published in 1992 by Delacorte Press, a Dell Publishing imprint. According to Delacorte, she won its annual Prize for an Outstanding First Young Adult Novel. "Sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan's life would be almost perfect if she could just get her potentially prize-winning pumpkin to put on about 200 more pounds—and if she could take off 20 herself ... in hopes of attracting Wes, the new boy in town."

The novel Hope Was Here, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2000, was one of four Newbery Honor Books, or runners-up for the 2001 Newbery Medal. The American Library Association award recognizes the year's most distinguished contribution to American children's literature; a distinct award for young-adult books had been introduced in 2000, the Michael L. Printz Award. Hope Was Here features Hope Yancey, a 16-year-old waitress in small-town Wisconsin. According to the Newbery Committee chair, "Bauer juggles story lines as well as Hope juggles plates, and the lessons of waitressing expand into lessons about the essentials of life."

As part of her presentation at AUS, Bauer ran a creative writing workshop.

Elizabeth Buchan

Elizabeth Buchan began her career as a blurb writer at Penguin Books after graduating from the University of Kent with a double degree in English and History. She moved on to become a fiction editor at Random House before leaving to write.

Her novels include the prizewinning Consider the Lily and Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman which was an international bestseller and was made into a CBS Primetime Drama. Later novels include Separate Beds and Daughters. Her latest, I Can’t Begin to Tell You, a story of resistance in wartime Denmark, was published in paperback in 2015.

Her short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in magazines. She reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail, and has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes. She was a judge for the Whitbread First Novel Award and for the 2014 Costa Novel Award. She is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and of The National Academy of Writing, and sits on the author committee for The Reading Agency.

Sorayya Khan

Sorayya Khan is the author of three novels, Noor (2003), Five Queen’s Road (2009) and City of Spies (2015).

She was awarded a US Fulbright Research Grant to conduct research in Pakistan and Bangladesh for one of her novels, and received a Malahat Review Novella Prize for what became a window into City of Spies.

In 2006, she received a Constance Saltonstall Artist Grant, which took her to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, where she interviewed tsunami survivors.

Over the years, her work has been published in various literary quarterlies, including The Kenyon Review and North American Review, and several anthologies. She is the daughter of a Pakistani father and a Dutch mother, was born in Europe, and moved to Pakistan as a child. She now lives in New York with her husband and children.

Arun Budhathoki

Arun Budhathoki (born September 19, 1986), also known as Daniel Song, is a Nepali poet and fiction writer from Kathmandu, Nepal. He did his undergraduate studies in Nizam College, Hyderabad, India, and pursued master's degree at the University of Northampton, England. He has written five books so far. Because of his nomadic nature, he likes travelling around. At present he lives in Fredericton, Canada.

Budhathoki was born and grew up in Kathmandu. He has an MA in International Relations from the University of Northampton. He's pursuing an MPhil in Policy Studies at University of New Brunswick.

Edge, his first poetry book was published on 2011 and launched on January 24, 2012 by renowned Nepali poet Yuyutsu Sharma. His novella The Lost Boys of Kathmandu became available as an ebook by Amazon.com on May 30, 2012, and he has published a book, Poems, on Sikkim. Edge was favorably reviewed by Cha: An Asian Literary Journal.

His poems have appeared in The Kathmandu Post and The Weather Report, and selected poems have been published in Journeys (anthologies by Sampad), Happy Birthday to Me (anthology by The Asian Writer) and Inspired by Tagore.

He's also regularly featured in MadSwirl and is the founder for The Applicant, an online magazine. He was interviewed by República about getting published in Nepal. His poetry book Prisoner of an iPad has been released. His poems have been published in various journals. He is a contributor to The Brunswickan.

“Was good to talk at American University of Sharjah,” wrote the 29-year old Budhathoki on his Facebook page after his lecture at AUS.

Susan Abulhawa

Susan Abulhawa is a novelist, poet, and political and human rights activist.

A Palestinian-American writer, her debut novel, Mornings in Jenin, was an international bestseller, translated into 26 languages. Her second novel, The Blue Between Sky and Water, was released in June 2015. Her 2012 poetry collection is titled My Voice Sought The Wind.

Kerby Rosanes

Philippines-based illustrator Kerby Rosanes works mainly with ordinary black fine liners to magically illustrate his “doodle” world. The 24-year old artist considers his art as a personal hobby which turned out to be his part-time freelance work after being recognized by various design blogs, international magazines and online communities.

He recently left his job as a graphic designer in a local company to finally pursue his passion: creating more art for personal projects and for various clients and collaborating with other artists and design agencies around the world.

After his electrifying presentation at AUS, Rosanes wrote on his Facebook page, “Thanks for having me AUS! It was an awesome experience!”

Colette Dartford

Colette Dartford writes contemporary fiction for adults. Her books evoke a strong sense of place: the sun-drenched Napa Valley in Northern California; the fertile vineyards of South West France; England’s vibrant capital and its windswept countryside.

Her debut novel, Learning To Speak American, will be published in November 2015 and her second novel, The Sinners, will follow in early 2017. Dartford is currently working on a third novel, Writing For Prizes.

Darren Shan

Darren Shan (Darren O’Shaughnessy) was born in London but lives in Ireland with his wife and one-year-old son. Shan studied sociology and English at Roehampton University in London. He then worked for a cable television company, before setting up as a full-time writer.

Shan’s breakthrough came with the publication of Cirque Du Freak in January 2000. He has now published over 40 books and counting. His work has been adapted into a manga and a movie, and his books have sold twenty-five million copies worldwide. His books are on sale in 39 countries, in 31 languages. He has made bestseller charts in America, Britain, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

A big film buff, Shan also reads lots of comics and books. Other interests include art, football, pop and rock music, theatre and travel.

“American University of Sharjah, Thanks for having me in. I had a great time. I hope you guys enjoyed it too!” Tweeted Darren Shan after his talk at American University of Sharjah.

Mahesh Rao

Mahesh Rao was born and grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. His short fiction has been shortlisted for various awards, including the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, The Baffler, Prairie Schooner and Elle.

His debut novel, The Smoke Is Rising, won the Tata First Book Award for fiction and was shortlisted for the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize and the Crossword Prize. One Point Two Billion, his collection of short stories, is being published in October 2015.

“American University of Sharjah, thank you, it was a real pleasure to be there.” Tweeted Mahesh Rao following his inspiring talk at American University of Sharjah.

To see pictures of the Visiting Authors Week lectures please visit http://on.fb.me/1Lgegso

Gureni Lukwaro is a Social Media Specialist at the American University of Sharjah. Authors' Bios were provided by the Sharjah International Book Fair.

For more information about American University of Sharjah, please visit www.aus.edu

By Gureni Lukwaro

AUS was the only educational institution to attend this conference, which is organized by the Association of Certified Anti Money-Laundering Specialists (ACAMS).

“The 19 students are from the Financial Crime course, which is being offered for the first time this semester at American University of Sharjah,” said Tanya Gibbs, the course instructor and a long-time ACAMS member. “The majority of these students would like to pursue careers in anti-money laundering and anti-corruption compliance.”

In response to industry demand, American University of Sharjah developed the new course, MGT 34910 Financial Crime: Management Controls and Countermeasures.

“We realized that there is a huge worldwide demand for compliance professionals not only by the financial industry but also by other business sectors. Whether required by the regulators or driven by corporate social responsibilities (CSR) policies, the compliance function is growing and becoming an essential part of any business,” said Gibbs, who was instrumental in the development of this course at AUS. “Organizations are now seeking a competent workforce to fill these upcoming positions. We developed this course to try to fill this skill gap. And as far as I know, this course on financial crimes is the only one offered in the UAE at the undergraduate level.”

The course is structured to give students strong fundamental knowledge of financial crime typologies, an understanding of international and local legislative and regulatory requirements to mitigate it, and skills to detect, investigate and report financial crimes.

“It is also meant to give students maximum exposure to how they can apply their academic knowledge to the actual professional field. We do this through case studies, guest lectures and participation in professional events,” said Gibbs.

In addition to this conference, students taking the course this semester have participated in other professional forums including:

• Raising Anti-Corruption Standards in the Gulf Region (Pearl Initiative & the World Economic Forum)
• Policing and Security Conference (Rabdan Academy)
• Anti-Money Laundering Obligations in the UAE (Academy & Finance)
• International Anti-Corruption Day (Anti-Corruption Department Abu Dhabi Police)

The conference attendance was made possible through generous support by the Foreign Exchange and Remittance Group (FERG), which sponsored all 19 students to attend. Osama Al Rahma, the Chairman of the FERG and the CEO of Al Fardan Exchange, was especially helpful in registering the AUS students for the conference.

ACAMS officials also visited the American University of Sharjah campus. They were met by the Dean of AUS School of Business Administration Dr. Robert Grosse and were given a tour of the AUS School of Business Administration.

Gibbs is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London, examining the effectiveness of the Anti-Money Laundering legislation and regulatory framework in the UAE in light of international standards.

Gureni Lukwaro is a Social Media Specialist at the American University of Sharjah.

For more information about American University of Sharjah, please visit www.aus.edu

By Naila Tariq

Entrepreneurship has become a hot topic in the UAE, with the past few years seeing a rise in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To keep up with this trend, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further boost economic development in the emirate of Sharjah. The agreement will help establish a culture of entrepreneurship and support the creation of a framework to enhance Sharjah’s reputation as an entrepreneurial leader in the field of innovation in the region.

Sheraa is an initiative by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), designed to develop people's business ideas and help the UAE achieve first place in international entrepreneurship. Shurooq Chairperson Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qassimi said that the center aims to be a platform to share new ideas and help youth make a difference in the community.

Sheraa is headquartered at American University of Sharjah, located in the library building. Najla Al Ansari, the center's Marketing and Outreach Manager, said AUS was chosen because of the concentration of talented students, the university's position as one of the top educational institutions, and the desire to “instill a culture of entrepreneurship” in the youth. Eventually, the Entrepreneurship Center plans to expand its space at AUS and to also have multiple “hubs” throughout Sharjah, plus one large warehouse facility to act as a home base.

There are four stages to Sheraa’s program: Inspire, Learn, Exhilarate, and Grow. “Inspire” focuses on creating awareness, both about the center itself and about entrepreneurship in general. This initial phase is meant to help people generate ideas and think about how they can apply those ideas and mold them into a full-fledged business. Additionally, Sheraa is trying to spread the word about what the center is all about and what it does. Towards this end, Sheraa officials will be giving speeches in classes throughout University City and hold open house sessions at the center. At AUS, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center has also connected with the School of Business Administrations Dean's Business Team, the Student Council, the Office of Student Affairs, the Emirati Cultural Club, and the Film-makers Club, and they also intend to reinstate the Entrepreneurship Club. All this reflects the center's desire to build a network and involve as many young minds as possible in its development, so it can better cater to their needs.

The “Learn” phase involves hosting workshops, panels and “boot camps” that will help would-be entrepreneurs to develop the skills they will need for their business. For example, Al Ansari mentioned an eight-week coding workshop to be held on Saturdays. The ordinarily AED 1,700 course will instead cost interested students a one-time fee of AED 200, with Sheraa bearing the rest of the cost. Similar events will continue to be sponsored by the center.

Next is the “Exhilarate” stage. This is a three-month program aimed more at seniors who are about to graduate, in which they turn their ideas into a concrete business plan and work out any kinks. Once students have made it through this stage, Sheraa funds them and provides mentorship, guidance and access to resources to help their idea become a reality. However, Al Ansari stressed that this stage would not be introduced until later. For now, she said, the emphasis remains on creating awareness and letting people know that they're out there.

Last is the “Grow” phase, to be implemented one year down the line. This is for companies that have already been set up and are looking to expand their business. All four stages encompass Sheraa's goal of helping start-ups as much as it can. The general manager explained that even the center's name reflects their mission. Sheraa means “the sail of a ship” in Arabic, and symbolizes the riskiness of starting a business through the metaphor of a ship at sea having to overcome large waves and storms. The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center is not only trying to make the process smooth sailing, but also to create, as Al Ansari said, “the next wave of entrepreneurship.”

Sheraa is currently hiring. According to Al Ansari, it is not the CV that matters but rather energy, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn and grow. To get in touch with Sheraa, please visit them at their office at the American University of Sharjah campus, near the AUS Library and just across from the AUS Bookstore or visit their website.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Ismaa Al Aloul

Students transitioning from high school to university are faced with multiple challenges. Fortunately, American University of Sharjah offers help to make this transition easier. Advising at the AUS Academic Support Center (ASC) is a good place to start for any struggling student, any student exploring majors, or any student interested in developing their skills. Students who are facing academic challenges can work with ASC advisors to develop the skills needed to succeed in their academic careers. A wide variety of services are offered at ASC to support students.

Exploring Majors

Students who are still exploring what major to pursue can contact the Director of the ASC, who is the Academic Advisor for Undeclared students and can assist with information about admission requirements for the various colleges. ASC also offers the Strong Interest Inventory, a tool that measures interest in various fields of study. Students can take this questionnaire to help them with their education and career path search.

Academic Accommodations for Students with a Disability

Whether a student has a physical, mental or learning disability, ASC will work with them to provide equal access to educational opportunities at AUS through appropriate academic accommodations. Any student with a disability wishing to receive accommodations should apply at the ASC by the fifth week of classes. Please contact ASC for information on the application process and the accommodations offered.

Study Skills Workshops

Study skills workshops are held regularly each semester covering a wide range of topics. Students who are trying to create a routine suitable for university are highly encouraged to attend these workshops in order to improve and develop skills such as note taking, test taking, time management, goal setting and much more. One of the newest workshops to be offered starting this Spring 2016 semester is the Awesome Apps workshop, which will introduce students to a number of smartphone and tablet apps that will help them get through course work the smart way.

Peer Advisors

One distinctive service that ASC offers is the Peer Advising program. Peer Advisors are current AUS students who are academically successful. They are available to meet students to recommend strategies for success in their specific college at AUS, answer any questions from a student's perspective, and provide mentorship for undergraduate students. Please contact ASC to find out the Peer Advisors' availability.

Advising

ASC advisors help students clarify their educational goals, develop study skills and educational plans, and connect to appropriate resources. ASC advisors come from a variety of backgrounds—including counseling, mentoring and coaching—and can relate to students and guide them as they make academic goals and decisions. Advisors use various tools to assess students’ study skills, such as the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), and can use that information to support the student. Students on probation are required to meet with an ASC advisor to fulfill the requirements of their probation contract.

Campus Resources

Besides the in-house services mentioned above, ASC collaborates with many other departments and can refer students to a variety of campus services. The following free services are available on campus:

• Mathematics Learning Center (MLC): One-on-one math tutoring. A MLC tutor is available weekly in the ASC.
• Writing Center: One-on-one writing assistance and writing workshops. A Writing Center tutor is available weekly in the ASC.
• AUS Library: A study space full of resources. The library recently introduced an accessibility workstation with assistive technology for students with disabilities. A Library Primer workshop is presented in the ASC each semester for students interested in learning more about how to use AUS Library services.
• Faculty office hours: All instructors hold weekly office hours (listed in the course syllabus), which give students the opportunity to seek help directly from the instructors.
• UPA 200: This university preparation course is mandatory for freshman students on academic probation and is offered through the Achievement Academy.
• University Counseling Services (UCS): The UCS helps students achieve their educational goals, learn the processes of problem solving and decision making, enhance their capacity for satisfying interpersonal relationships, define their career goals and maximize the ability for continued emotional growth beyond their educational experience. ASC refers students for counseling when needed.
• Career Services: Offers many services to guide current students in terms of career planning and preparation for life after graduation.
• Faculty Development Center: Offers ongoing workshops covering topics that are of interest to faculty as well as students. These are listed on the Events section of the AUS website.

Knowing your campus and the resources available is a key to success. The ASC collaborates with these departments because we believe that they all provide valuable assistance to make your experience at AUS stress-free, productive and enjoyable.

ASC recognizes that sometimes students who were academically successful in high school struggle with the transition to university. Regardless of the reasons why a student may be struggling academically, ASC is here to help students improve their academic performance. Students are highly encouraged to be proactive in their learning experience and to make use of the resources available to help them. Seeking help early is advisable. To find out more about any of the services offered at ASC, check out our website: www.aus.edu/asc. You can call +971 6 515 2180 to schedule an appointment with an ASC advisor. Visit us in the Main Building, room M-M01.

Ismaa Al Aloul is the Senior Academic Advisor for the Academic Support Center at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

American University of Sharjah’s Road Safety Awareness Committee held a Road Safety Awareness Campaign from February 28–March 3, 2016 to raise awareness and change people’s attitudes towards safe driving.

According to Dr. Rana Raddawi, Faculty Senate President, the senate formed the ad hoc committee “with a primary mission to change the behavior and attitudes of reckless drivers on campus and help save human lives.”

The senate president explained that the campaign is part of the Road Safety Awareness Program, which the senate is initiating this year in collaboration with the administration, the academic units and the Office of Student Affairs.

The program aims to promote road safety among all members of the campus community, as well as among visitors, such taxi drivers, bus drivers and delivery drivers. Since one of the Senate’s functions is to ensure the safety of the community, road safety is considered a “serious matter of welfare,” Dr. Raddawi continued.

The AUS Faculty Senate President emphasized the importance of starting with education. The program is designed to be sustainable, with a Road Safety-themed event every year.

One of the main events at the awareness week was a panel made up of members of the Sharjah Police, ER and trauma doctors, an AUS Safety and Security officer and a student, who will discuss issues related to road safety. A number of videos were also shown throughout the week: a filmed visit to victims of car accidents, testimonial and informative videos about road safety on campus, and another on safety regulations and measures.

As part of the campaign, Dr. Raddawi hosted a workshop on the emotional intelligence of drivers. Another workshop was also held on the psychology of bad drivers.

 To make the campaign progressive, information desks will be set up in every AUS academic building, where people can get informational pamphlets and get answers to their road safety related questions.

The campaign was not limited to students and faculty only, it also included faculty spouses and even the children living on campus. The Epicenter, a center for the children of AUS faculty and staff, showed cartoons and told stories about road safety in order to encourage good driving habits early on.

“Any change in cultural behavior needs communication,” said Dr. Raddawi, explaining why the awareness week was important.

Some students expressed interest in the campaign.

“If you made it in such a way that they make people aware that this could happen to anyone, you could be the driver or you could be the one getting hit, then it could be helpful,” said AUS student Mariama Osoble.

“A lot of people when they drive here, they don’t really think about the consequences of it. They’re thinking about ‘Oh I need to get to class on time,’ or ‘Everyone is in a hurry so it’s okay if I am as well,’” said senior Azmat Fatima Siddiqui.

Siddiqui added that she thinks it would be helpful to talk to people about it.

The committee also recommended that faculty members should show their support by encouraging their students to learn the importance of road safety through engaging in “projects, research, essay writing, reflection and discussion in class,” on the topic of road safety, Dr. Raddawi said.

Students who registered to participate in the Awareness Week received certificates of participation.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Malvika Garia

Culture is a colorful way to express one’s heritage and identity. At American University of Sharjah, we believe that celebrating culture is not only an important way to educate our students about the deep history of the region, but also a means to keep it alive among the future generations.

This year the university decided to take a different approach towards celebrating culture and developed a creative desktop calendar that commemorates the achievements of great individuals from around the region and their significant influence in fields of arts, literature and sciences. The calendar celebrates individuals who have—through their extraordinary talents, dedication to their craft and their commitment to knowledge—carved a name for themselves on the canvas of history.

To know more about how this idea came about, we spoke to Hatim Al-Sharif, Senior Graphic Designer in the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing at American University of Sharjah, who explained that the aim behind the calendar is “to not only deliver stories that remind one of the region’s great Arab and Islamic heritage but to give students role models to look up to while inspiring them to work harder and excel in their fields.” The calendar is the product of months of work that involved considerable brainstorming and intensive research to choose the right individuals—such as singer Umm Kulthum, physician Ibn al-Nafis and mathematician Al Khwarizmi to name a few—who are not only iconic personalities but also individuals who have made substantial contributions to the prosperity and name of the Arabian region.

A visual communication graduate of the AUS College of Architecture, Arts and Design, Al-Sharif explained that the aim of the project was to design artwork where he could connect the past with the present by merging digital illustrations of these icons with contemporary designs and watercolor backgrounds. He noted that this amalgamation of classical and modern art methods helped deliver an attractive end result of 12 different visual stories.  

Al-Sharif emphasized that the project required working with his colleagues from the office’s content and creative teams to develop the right creative brief, and this inspired him to create unique themes for each icon’s background based on their fields of work.

While talking about his future plans and ideas for such creative efforts that help the university celebrate culture in an educational way, Al-Sharif explained that he plans on continuing to use culture elements as the focal point of such projects while infusing them with modern and digital creativity.

As for next year’s calendar, Al-Sharif said he is currently in the process of brainstorming ideas, but one of the possible ideas could be to focus on modern cultural legends.

Malvika Garia is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

We are now two months into this semester and experienced AUSers know what this means: midterms, projects, and research papers are coming in fast. But there's no need to panic. AUS is home to a wealth of free services that provide academic help, and who knows? Maybe one of them will end up being exactly what you need.

So just take a moment to remind yourself of the various kinds of free help you can take advantage of in order to do well in all your courses. These may be new to some, especially those who just joined AUS this semester. But all we need to know and always remember is that, there is help, free help that is available for you to get that extra help you need to improve your grades and GPA.

Office Hours

This one is obvious, yet a lot of people tend to avoid it. Especially freshmen. All professors dedicate at least two hours a week to being available in their office for students who have questions or concerns about the material.

It might feel scary, but most professors are actually impressed when students show up. It indicates to them that you care about doing well and you are making an effort to learn. Plus, if you're worried you'll embarrass yourself in class with your questions, talking to the professor one-on-one will be a lot easier. If their office hours clash with your schedule, email them and ask for an appointment. They'll be happy to accommodate you.

Academic Support Center

This little gem is hidden away in the Office of Financial Grants and Scholarships, but the center provides a ton of resources for those struggling with their studies. It has two main focuses: accommodation for students with disabilities – such as arranging for them to have extra time during exams – and helping improve academic performance.

Counselors are on-hand to teach skills and strategies that will improve focus and learning. While they primarily work with people on probation, they are also available for anyone who wants do better in their studies.

The center also has Peer Advisors. These are exceptional students from each of the four colleges who act as role models and provide an “insider's view” on how things work. They have set timings that depend on their availability, which are posted on a board behind the center's front desk.

Additionally, the Academic Support Center hosts workshops throughout the semester that teach valuable skills for excelling at university.

To visit the center or meet with a Peer Advisor, you need to make an appointment either at the front desk or via phone call or email [asc@aus.edu].

The Writing Center

Almost every major at university will involve writing at some point. Whether you feel you're a weak writer, or would just like to make sure you're on the right track, a visit to the AUS Writing Center is in order. They have two branches, one in the library and a smaller one in SBA, and they're open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every weekday.

Writing tutors offer help with citations, grammar, spelling, different types of essays, and any other difficulties you may have. The tutors are current students who have been trained to help you, so if professors are too intimidating, not to worry. You get a session with someone close to your age who has probably been exactly where you are and understands what it's like.

You can't just drop in, though. You have to book an appointment through their website. You will have to make an account if you don't have one already; it doesn't log in with your regular AUS credentials. Happy writing!

Research Help Desk

If it's not the writing that's got you worried, but the lack of sources for your topic, then why not try the Research Help Desk in the library? From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday (and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays) a librarian is available to help you search for resources. Not only do they help you find sources for your topic, but they also teach you how to improve your research skills. The desk is located on the first floor, right in front of the glass doors that lead to the Reference books. No appointment necessary.

Math Learning Center

Maybe words aren't your problem. Maybe you're an A-grade writer and master researcher. Maybe the problem is... numbers. I feel you. I'm a journalism student and one of my professors likes to joke that “Journalism plus Math always equals Error.” He isn't entirely wrong. (At least not in my case). Luckily, AUS has its very own Math Learning Center. It's similar to the Writing Center in that student-tutors are available to help you get the hang of everything from quadratic equations to advanced calculus.

The center is on the top floor of NAB, near the Math Department's offices. It's open from Monday-Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but be sure to check their schedule for more details, as each tutor only helps with specific courses.

So there you have it, five different services that AUS offers, designed to help make academic life just a little bit easier. You may find you need none of these resources, or end up making use of all of them during your time here. Both are more than okay. As long as you're doing the best you can, you'll be just fine.

Best of luck!

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

In a constantly changing world, with evolving technology and different mindsets, it can be difficult to hold the attention of today's students. However, AUS has managed to just that with Active Learning Spaces, a new and exciting way to teach.

Two years ago, eight professors, from the English and Writing Studies Departments at the American University of Sharjah attended a seminar on flipped learning at the Faculty Development Center. They were inspired to introduce Active Learning Spaces, which are now used to teach academic writing a whole new way.

Active Learning Spaces, Assistant Professor and Department of Writing Studies Head Dr. Bruce Gatenby explained, allow for a more engaging learning experience, with “very little lecturing.” Instead, class time is used for group work, peer review, or in-class writing, made easier with the technology in the rooms.

An Active Learning Space has modular furniture – tables and chairs that can be moved around with ease – to help facilitate group activities and discussions. The professor makes use of a large touch screen monitor instead of projected slides, through which he or she can critique essays in real time or present other instructional materials. Additionally, there are six smaller screens with laptops connected to them which students can use to show their work. They can also connect their own computers, tablets, or even phones to the displays. Even the carpets are sound-dampening to avoid the noisiness of moving furniture as well as to prevent the buzz of discussions and activities from reaching other classrooms.

About 24 classes are making use of the learning spaces this semester, said Gatenby, namely Academic Writing I and II (WRI 101 and 102) and, as a new experiment, Basic Academic Writing (WRI 001). According to Gatenby, since the introduction of these specialized classrooms students have been doing better, with higher grades and fewer absences.

“They want to come,” said Gatenby, “because they actually get to do things.”

That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. Gatenby admitted that the first semester the College of Arts and Sciences was difficult since this was a completely different form of teaching. “There was a lot of trial and error,” he said.

In addition, professors had to be trained to use the technology, with the department's IT technician holding both individual and group tutorials. Training is required, Gatenby emphasized. “You can't just go in cold.”

The original eight professors who started the program also formed a committee and held meetings to discuss what worked and what didn't.

Overall, Gatenby said he felt that almost all courses could benefit from using the Active Learning Spaces. In fact, more professors and departments are finding out about them, he added, and they have expressed interest in trying them for their own classes.

However, he acknowledged that it isn't for everyone, as active learning “fundamentally changes the way you teach.”

“You have to be comfortable with a bit of chaos,” he added.

There are currently three Active Learning Spaces on campus: two in the Language building and one in the Physics building. Construction of two more, one in the New Academic Building and another in Physics, is set to begin soon and will be completed in time for the Fall semester, said Gatenby. While he hopes that more will be added over time, the department head acknowledged that they are extremely expensive to build.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

American University of Sharjah is one of the most multicultural campuses in the UAE. With students from over 90 nationalities, AUS boasts a number of cultural clubs where students can learn about, embrace and teach each other about their cultures. Global Day is a celebration of both the multicultural community and the spirit of tolerance and acceptance celebrated at AUS.

Over 2,000 AUS students, faculty, staff and members of the community attended the annual two-day event— and enjoyed a variety of traditional foods from the clubs' pavilions as well as both indoor and outdoor cultural performances. Students got to show off their talents through dances, skits and musical acts that captured some aspects of their country’s culture. Each pavilion was designed to represent its country, from the pyramids for Egypt to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe for France. Students were encouraged to embrace the day and wear traditional clothing, and everyone was free to browse the pavilions and learn more about each culture.

There were a number of changes this year, however, designed to improve the experience for both the clubs and the attendees. For instance, there was a greater emphasis on sustainability to reduce the ecological footprint of such a large event. Clubs were encouraged to use recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, with a sustainability award given to the most eco-friendly pavilion. This is part of AUS' commitment to becoming a more environmentally sustainable campus. The winner of the Global Day sustainability award, as well as other AUS Global Day awards such as best corner, best performance, etc., will be announced during the Student Appreciation Awards ceremony which will be held on May 2, 2016.

The constantly changing weather was also given consideration. Stronger building materials were used for this year's pavilions to make sure that they could resist potential heavy winds and rain storms.

Furthermore, as part of the event's “Peace throughout the World” theme, the GCC clubs collaborated together for the first time, sharing one large pavilion and even performing as one group. Four countries from North Africa—Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia— also shared a pavilion. Both collaborations symbolized unity and harmony, and a commitment to uphold those values and relationships.

Students said they thought this year's changes made Global Day a better experience.

It is incredible to think about how much the festival has grown since the first one was held in 1998. Back then, there were eight student organizations and about 400 students at AUS. This year, the 18th anniversary of the event, 32 countries were represented and welcomed the 6,000-strong, multinational student body.

In a world mired by conflict, stereotypes and suspicion, events like Global Day prove that it is still possible to stand together in solidarity.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Malvika Garia

Using their creative abilities and ideas for the greater good, two students from American University of Sharjah (AUS) won recognition for their submissions to the Masar Student Creative Award for Print at the Dubai Lynx Festival 2016, which is an annual celebration of creativity and design in the region. Noor Garatli and Lynn Bizreh, both from the Department of Mass Communication at the College of Arts and Sciences, were awarded third and fifth place respectively for their creative posters which aim to increase attention towards pressing social issues like women and child abuse. The posters are stated to be used by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children in their campaign efforts to combat domestic abuse.

While Garatli’s submission “Child Abuse is not Just Physical”, focussed on breaking the traditional train of thought that child abuse only translates to physical abuse, Bizreh’s poster “Touch them Only to Raise their Chin up”, aimed to highlight that positive connotation of touch in the symbolic sense of support and love that help children grow better. However, having a successful end result means having the right inspiration to start with and so we sat down with Garatli and Bizreh to find out what triggered the creativity behind their work. Garatli explained that she drew inspiration for her poster from the fact that various forms of child abuse such as mental and emotional abuse are neglected in this region’s culture. “What I found out was that such abuse does not only seriously damage a child’s cognitive and emotional development but also about 30% of abused and neglected children will later on abuse their own children and thus, continue the horrible cycle of abuse,” said Garatli.

Furthermore, Garatli explained that her poster focusses on simplicity of elements such as visuals as she wanted a straightforward way to portray the abuse against children, “especially in ways that one would not immediately think of it as abuse like shutting up a child, not allowing them to speak their minds or whenever they wanted to speak, ordering them not to talk about something horrible they have witnessed, these are all forms of subtle abuse that parents or adults in general most probably would not realize”.

On the other hand, Bizreh chose to research various forms of abuse to find inspiration for her work and narrowed it down to physical touch as it can be symbolic of both, good or bad actions. She wanted to convey the message that “adults should not touch or in other words abuse children. Instead, they should lift their chin up and be their backbone when they are feeling sad or when they are going through a tough time.”

Though their journey to this achievement was not easy as they had to overcome a number of challenges. Garatli and Bizreh both state that the most challenging part of the submissions was the visualization process of their ideas, working around deadlines and managing their time.  But regardless of these challenges, both agreed that Dubai Lynx is an exciting experience for those interested in creativity and advertising at its best. Through their participation, they also want to encourage fellow AUSers to participate in activities such as creative brief pitches, ad and poster making competitions as well as attending workshops and professional talks given by the who’s who of the creative arts industry in the region.

Bizreh added that she, not only had the chance to participate in the Masar Student Creative Award for Print, but was also able to attend the Leo Burnett Dubai Lynx Academy, where she had first-hand experience of working under pressure like in a creative agency. This taught her a lot about working in a fast paced environment and learned how, when and what to compromise in order to deliver projects on time.

According to Gartali “Dubai Lynx is the Oscars of the advertising and marketing industry here” and that even though the event mainly focusses on the work of established agencies and professionals, “it is a wonderful experience to attend and meet key people in the industry as well as give out your resume for amazing job opportunities!”

Congratulations Noor Garatli and Lynn Bizreh for a job well done.

Malvika Garia is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

When you ask people about universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), some may be familiar with universities and other higher learning institutions that occupy a floor or two in a business building and run all their classes, activities and administrative work from that space. But there are few universities in the UAE, such as the American University of Sharjah (AUS), which have full-fledged campuses with distinct state-of- the-art structures for academic spaces, administrative offices, dormitories, a modern library, sports complexes and other facilities that enhance the quality of life for students, faculty and staff studying and working in the university.

Many new students and visitors to American University of Sharjah may be familiar with the academic and administrative buildings, but there is more to the university than just these. AUS has a number of outlets, such as the bank, post office and bookstore. Do you know that AUS also has two laundries, a travel agency, a barbershop and more?

AUS is actually home to several retail outlets that make living—or even just studying—on campus a lot more convenient. We will introduce some of them here for you.

The Practical Stuff

Buying groceries, keeping up with finances, picking up mail...with all the coursework, those day-to-day chores can get neglected, especially if they require driving around the city. However, there are outlets at AUS that make things much easier, all within walking distance from each other.

Bookstore

Whether you need textbooks for your courses or even an interesting paperback to read during your down time, All Prints has it all. It's located on the ground floor of the library building, next to Blends & Brews. In addition to books, the store also sells stationary, art supplies, notebooks, and even headphones and power banks, all of which you can choose to pay for using Campus Cash. And at the beginning of every semester, All Prints buys back selected textbooks at a reduced price. All Prints is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. You can contact them at 06 515 2013.

Bank

A branch of the Sharjah Islamic Bank is located on the west side of the Main Building, on the ground floor, with full banking services. There's a 24-hour ATM just outside the bank, with two more around campus– one in the Student Center and the other in front of the Women's Welcome Center. The bank is open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.

For more information on their services, you can call at 06 599 9503 /04 /05.

Minimarts

There are two Sharjah Cooperative Society groceries—one in the Student Center basement and the other outside the Women's Welcome Center. They may be called “mini” marts, but they stock a wide range of products, including household items and fruits and vegetables. Payment can be made by cash or credit card. They're open from 9 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. Saturdays to Thursdays, but they close at 5 p.m. on Fridays. You can get more information by calling 06 558 5767.

Post Office/Copy Center

This dual facility is on the east side of the Main Building, on the ground floor. The post office deals with both incoming and outgoing mail, as well as express delivery and parcel pick-ups. The copy center offers photocopying, laminating and binding services. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can contact them at 06 515 2019.

Pharmacy

Al Manara University Pharmacy is just next to the travel office. It's fully functional, selling products ranging from antibiotics and painkillers to canes and heat packs. If the University Health Center–located below the LAN building –gives you a prescription, you can fill it here.

For more information, you can call06 558 9004.

Travel Office

ITL World Travel Office is located in the basement of the Student Center, in the little alcove past Starbucks. They offer airline ticket and hotel bookings, travel insurance and UAE tours.

The office is open from Sunday – Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and on Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm.

You can contact them for all your

i. Holidays and Leisure needs at Holidays.aus@itltravel.com and you can arrange for all your personal leisure and holiday bookings or,

ii. Corporate Travel and Ticketing needs at Traveldesk.aus@itltravel.com and you can arrange all business travel request.

Or you can contact the Travel Office by Phone: 06 515 2010.

Keeping Up Appearances

You don't need to have an interview or presentation to look good, and luckily you don't have to venture off-campus either. Here are some of the services on campus that help keep you looking neat and well-groomed.

Laundry Service

You might have an important interview or presentation coming up, your best clothes are miserably wrinkled, and you've got no iron. Have no fear, because AUS is home to not one, but two laundries that can clean and iron with the best of them. There's one on the east and another on the west side of campus located in the faculty and staff housing areas. Please note that they accept cash payments only. For more information, you can call 06 515 3106.

Mens' Barbershop

Hair in need of a trim? Beard in need of a shave? There's no need to leave campus to get a good grooming. Just pay a visit to the barbershop near the pharmacy and enjoy services ranging from the regular haircut and shave to oil massages and scalp treatments. Please note, however, that they only accept cash payments. For more information, you can call 06 515 2793.

Ladies' Salon

Ladies, you can get your hair needs attended to as well. Not only that, the ladies' salon also offers manicures and pedicures in addition to a range of other services. You can find it just behind the Women's Welcome Center, near the women’s dorms. For more information, call 06 558 9655.

The Food Stuff

AUS is also home to a number of restaurants and coffee shops, most of them at the Student Center. These include Burger King, Grab N' Go, Subway, Blends and Brews, Yogurberry, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and many more. Most of them also deliver, so if you're just not up for a walk across campus, feel free to call! Click here for locations and contact information.

Bonus!

Maybe you'd just prefer something outside campus. If so, AUS also has arrangements with a ton of retailers and outlets across the UAE, providing discounts for students who present their IDs. Examples include a 40 percent discount from Budget Car and Van Rental, and a 50 percent discount from Limar Medical Center. For a full list, feel free to check out the AUS Discount Program page.

The main takeaway from this article is that American University of Sharjah tries to make living, working and studying on campus as easy as possible for the community. Having these outlets on campus helps create as self-sustaining a community as possible.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

While earning an education is extremely important, learning how to apply the knowledge you have gained is even more so. American University of Sharjah recognizes this, and tries to provide students with opportunities to apply what they've learned through both internal and external programs, events, and competitions.

One such event is the National Model United Nations, an international conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association. It is the largest and one of the most prestigious of its kind, with conferences in New York City, Washington, DC, the Northwest, and multiple international locations such as France, China and Ecuador.

This year, AUS sent a team of seven to the New York edition of the conference, which was held from March 27 to 31, 2016. The delegation consisted of international studies students Hanan Arab, Reem AlNuaimi, Mehak Ayaz, Hend Mitkis, Nasser Anwahi, Ahmad Azari and Omar Khattab, all of whom were selected through an interview process by the Student Leadership Program (SLP). They are all also active participants with SLP and/or the AUS Model United Nations.

The team won the Outstanding Delegation Award, the highest possible recognition, out of 2,500 delegates from 230 universities. AUS was the only participating university from the GCC, adding prestige to both the delegation's involvement and their win.

They received the award at the March 31 concluding ceremony, at the General Assembly Hall in The United Nations Headquarters in New York.

At the conference, participants act as model diplomats. Each delegation is assigned a country and must work with their team to solve issues related to it, then represent their state through different committees. AUS was assigned Vietnam.

“It looks simple, but even with MUN experience it's a whole different program,” said delegate Hanan Arab, who also trained the group.

Arab noted how intense the event is. Participants have to be on their feet, talking, debating and negotiating for all five days. Additionally, both undergraduate and graduate students compete with each other.

“No one is below you. They're either equal or better than you,” she said. In that high-pressure environment, “even drafting a two-page paper is challenging.”

The delegate said that the conference teaches new skills no matter one's prior experience, as there are different positions one can hold. However, one of the main takeaways from the event is learning how to work and brainstorm with people from different communities and backgrounds.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Gureni Lukwaro

American University of Sharjah student L'Emir Mohamed Chehab has won the 2016 UAE Autocross Championship after an outstanding season that saw him dominate all rounds he has participated in so far.

Chehab, who is a mechanical engineering student at American University of Sharjah (AUS), drove a rear-wheel drive Silvercar ST2 for the BMC airlifters Racing Team for the four rounds of the UAE Autocross Championship five-round season.

The 19-year-old clinched the overall championship after winning each of the four rounds which, according to the sport’s regulations, gives him the title, as the final championship standing is determined by the drivers’ performance in any four of the five rounds of the championship season.

Autocross is a kind of competition where drivers drive through a defined course, one at a time and the driver who finishes the courses safely using the shortest amount of time wins. This is a form of motorsport that emphasizes safe competition among competing drivers. The main difference between autocross and other kinds of racing competitions is that in autocross one driver, at a time, races against the clock not against other drivers.

“On the race day, it rained a little. So the driving range was wet. Driving in the wet brought a lot of pressure that’s for sure, but it spiced up the whole event, hoping it will dry in which it did, and brought the win home. Proved at a young age that I am capable to stand with the legends of this sport, but the problem that I’m always facing is the support needed to compete in many other championships, and without my father’s support I wouldn’t stand where I am today,” said Chehab.

Prior to this season, the Lebanese motorsports enthusiast had won other competitions, such as  the Junior Buggy category of the Emirates Motorsports Club’s First Rallycross held in April 2015 in Sharjah; Overall Winner and First Category Winner of the ADNEC Drift in March 2015; Novice Class Winner at the Sharjah Rally 2015; UAE Autocross in All Wheel Drive and Rear Wheels Drive Stock categories in January 2015; and Third Overall Winner at the Toyota Yaris Cup and Novice Class Winner at the UAE Motoplex 24 Hours Endurance 4x4 Rally in December 2014.

“I would like to thank BMC Racing Team for being my first sponsor and thanks to Silvercar UAE for their continuous support. Of course, I would also like to thank my father, whose support has been essential in my career. My future is still up ahead. There are many talented students who wish to be where I am, so I am grateful and blessed to be doing what I’m doing,” added Chehab. 

L'Emir Mohamed Chehab is a good example of how AUS students strive for excellence in both academic and extracurricular activities.

Gureni Lukwaro is a Social Media Specialist at the American University of Sharjah.

For more information about American University of Sharjah, please visit www.aus.edu

By Naila Tariq

Receiving knowledge is one thing, but generating new knowledge that has real-world applications for society is another entirely. That's where research and development come in, and one of the prime sources for such research is universities, from both faculty and students. American University of Sharjah has always been a part of that, forging a path towards becoming a full-on research university.

For twelve years now, the AUS Office of Research and Graduate Studies has held a Student Research competition— sponsored by BP UAE and Sharjah Islamic Bank— to recognize the important, potentially world-changing research students have generated in that academic year.

The projects participants submit are judged through a two-tier process: first at the level of the students' college, then at the university level. BP UAE categorizes its awards through the company's brand values, offering the Respect Award, the Courage Award, the Excellence Award and the One Team Award. The Sharjah Islamic Bank offers first, second, and third place prizes, as well as an honorable mention.

This year's awards ceremony was held on the April 12 (a fitting date for the 12th ever ceremony) in AUS's Main Building, Lecture Hall A. There were winners from every college, with research related to subjects ranging from international studies to environmental science.

“We really learned to work with each other in this award, and we're all glad that it actually got recognized,” said Sara Aleem, College of Architecture, Art and Design student and one of the winners of the 16-member One Team Award. “Our project was built on site, so it's actually part of the university and getting recognized for that is great.”

Dr. Khaled Assaleh, Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies, moderated the event, while AUS Chancellor Dr. Björn Kjerfve and Interim Provost Kevin Mitchell gave opening speeches thanking the sponsors and expressing their pride in the winners.

Dr. Kjerfve also discussed AUS's determination to become a research university. “Technology has made distances disappear. What happens in one corner of the globe has an immediate impact across the globe. On the positive side, that means that issues we work on and solve at AUS can have benefits for societies facing similar challenges everywhere,” said the Chancellor. He also mentioned the upcoming Research, Technology and Innovation Park being built west of campus as an example of the way AUS is furthering its research goals.

In addition, SIB representative and Head of Organizational Excellence Jassem Al Baloushi as well as BP UAE representative and Technical Advisor Mohammed AlNakhi each made remarks congratulating the winners. Both emphasized the impact research like this will continue to have on the UAE and the world at large.

The winners were then presented their awards, with recognition given to their advisors, after which thanks was given to the committee members in charge of judging the entries.

Undergraduate students from all colleges and backgrounds are welcome to answer the call for next year's awards when it comes. The Student Research Award is AUS's way of reminding you: You are the future, and the gaps in knowledge and research are yours to fill. Some of it may just change the world.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

While American University of Sharjah is well-known for its intense academics, another key focus of the university is extracurricular activities. AUS has a huge variety of extracurricular activities, including student clubs and organizations, community service opportunities, leadership programs, and athletics program’s sports teams that get to compete in international tournaments. Additionally, there is the Student Council for those interested in representing the student body and voicing their concerns to the administration.

All these activities— organized by the Office of Student Affairs— take a lot of time and effort, especially with assignments, exams and classes. In acknowledgement of this, every year AUS shows its appreciation by honoring the students who have actively participated in AUS extracurricular activities with awards, a dinner and even a raffle draw.

This year, more than 600 students were honored at the AUS Annual Student Appreciation Award ceremony held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Sharjah's Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. The ceremony recognized the dedication, hard work and achievements of athletes, volunteers, Student Council members and university leaders.

In addition to honoring individual students, cultural clubs were also awarded for their participation in this year's AUS Global Day. Categories included Best Corner awards, Performance awards, Club of the Year awards and, for the first time, Best Sustainable Pavilion.

“This year, we encouraged our students to work together to strengthen the unity between clubs and to reflect the event’s theme of ‘Peace throughout the World.’ This initiative forms part of our sustainability efforts as we move towards a sustainable approach in organizing events. In collaboration with our faculty members specialized in the field of sustainability, we offered the Global Day 2016 Best Sustainable Pavilion Award this year to encourage our students to use recycled or recyclable materials, use energy-efficient lighting and to properly dispose of wastes for recycling,” said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students at American University of Sharjah.

However, none of the events, or individual and club achievements would have been possible if it were not for the efforts of the various AUS administrative departments that foster and encourage the active participation of its student members. The Student Leadership Program, Student Athletics and Recreation, the Student Council and Community Services were all recognized for their efforts.

The ceremony was a hit, showing AUS's appreciation for this year's successes and giving renewed energy and enthusiasm for the myriad of upcoming events and extracurricular activities.

Eight AUS students received the Most Outstanding Active Student Award for their contributions in extracurricular activities in Academic Year 2015-2016. The awardees were:

Student Athletics and Recreation

Adam Abouelghr

Manal Machou

Ahmed Mohammed Eladl

Student Clubs and Organizations

Mohammed El Kalbani

Hamdan Shahid

Khalid Mohammed AbdulRahman

Leadership Program

Hanan Arab

Community Services

Karan Mohan

The following awards were presented for participation in AUS Global Day 2016:

Best Corner Awards

1st Place: Emirati Cultural Club

2nd Place: Egyptian Cultural Club

3rd Place: Lebanese Cultural Club

• Best Corner Idea: Syrian Cultural Club
• Best Teamwork (Corner): Northern Africa Clubs

Performance Awards

1st Place: Indian Cultural Club

2nd Place: Jordanian Cultural Club

3rd Place: Pakistani Cultural Club

• Best Performance Idea: Chinese Cultural Club
• Best Teamwork (performance): Bangladeshi Cultural Club

Club of the Year Awards were given to the following clubs:

Ethnic: Emirati Cultural Club

Interest-oriented: Photography Club

Best Sustainable Pavilion Award

Winner: Sri Lankan Cultural Club

Honorable Mention: Japanese Cultural Club

"AUS has gained a well-earned reputation for its academic excellence," said Dr. Björn Kjerfve, AUS Chancellor as he congratulated all the winners. "But your contributions outside the classroom - on campus and beyond - as athletes, student volunteers, university leaders and ambassadors have played a significant role in enhancing the standing of our university.”

"As you know, the university has always stressed the importance of activities that help enrich and broaden the campus experience. It is experiences such as these which will stand you in good stead in the future," Dr. Kjerfve added.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Malvika Garia

An eye for creativity and flair for innovation go a long way, and American University of Sharjah student Hinjal Kumar learned just that when she won Urban Commissions 2016, the annual design competition of Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Initiated under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Urban Commissions aims to engage with the creative community, whether students or professionals, in the UAE and promote its diverse industry. For its most recent edition, participants were asked to design a multipurpose public shelter that would serve as a meeting point for d3 while fulfilling functional, social and community roles in Dubai’s most creative area.

No stranger to public acclaim and recognition, Kumar has previously received the Sheikha Manal’s Young Artist Award in the Fine Arts category and in this recent Urban Commissions 2016 competition, she was the only student to be shortlisted among 10 other creative geniuses in the UAE. The fifth-year architecture student from the College of Architecture, Art and Design won the competition with her project, Bike d3, a bike parking station and shelter design that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as provide a chic meeting place to rendezvous with friends.

“Bike d3 is designed with a spiral twist to the slatted bicycle storage system that offers an alternative mode of commuting, while providing shade and an intimate space for its visitors,” Kumar noted. She further explained the idea behind the intricate design as a “concept that has evolved as a result of mapping and indexing public life in Dubai along with doing a cross-comparison with urban metropolises like Paris, New York, Chicago and Copenhagen and associating the usage of bicycles across these cities.”

Although Kumar’s creative abilities served her well, she said she had her fair share of challenges to overcome, such as dealing with contractors and learning the art of effective communication to achieve accuracy in the design work. Furthermore, as the process developed from research, concept, detail design, construction to exhibition, it was also necessary for her to work within the competition budget limitation of AED 50,000. However, it was all worth it in the end, as Kumar said that she was able to take away valuable lessons of production, time and budget from this process, something which will be helpful in her future career prospects. Kumar also encouraged her peers to not wait for projects to come but “to take as many outside opportunities as possible, as it builds experience like being in school never will.”

Malvika Garia is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Vida Moradinasab

American University of Sharjah (AUS) is aiming to get an international environmental certification, ISO14001, to endorse the environmental management system and the sustainability progress the university has achieved so far.

The ISO14000 certificate represents a series of environmental management standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for organizations. The ISO14000 standards provide a guideline or framework for organizations that wish to systematize and improve their environmental management efforts. The aim is to protect the surrounding environment against adverse environmental impacts and respond to changing environmental conditions without asking the future generations to compromise.

American University of Sharjah, in addition to its academic excellence, is committed to shaping a sustainable future for the community and the world. Sustainability planning is one of the main priorities in the university’s Institutional Effectiveness Strategic Direction.

To ensure steady progress in shaping a sustainable future, the university established a Sustainability division in 2008. AUS believes that sustainability is an essential part of its philosophy, policy and purpose, as well as of the campus community.

To help the university reduce its carbon footprint and as part of AUS Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), an Environmental Management System (EMS) manual was developed in 2015 and is being implemented across the university. The university, therefore, is aiming to become a leader in areas of recycling, energy conservation, water and waste management, transportation and purchasing processes. In addition, AUS is now incorporating green building standards into all its new construction and building renovation projects.

AUS works closely with many environmental organizations, such as Bee’ah, Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah (EPAA), Estidama, Green Emirates, Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) as well as Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS-WWF), all of whom support our sustainability initiatives and awareness campaigns.

On February 14, 2013, in recognition of the university’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, AUS was recognized by the Heroes of the UAE program—which was organized by the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF—as the first university in the Middle East to be a verified Corporate Hero. As a result, AUS pledged to develop a measurable strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 10 percent in a year, to document the results as a case study and to implement a long-term strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

Last May, AUS won the Green School category at the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) 2015 Awards. The university received this award for its Campus Service Center, which reflects its efforts and commitment to providing a sustainable and efficient campus environment.

“As a university, we aim to enhance our organizational and operational structures to ensure the efficient utilization of physical, human and financial resources in achieving our academic goals,” said Stephen Fenn, Executive Director of Operation at American University of Sharjah.

The university put energy and water conservation initiatives in place in 2010. It also targeted a 30 percent saving in energy over a three-year period, of which a 24 percent energy saving was achieved within the academic footprint by the end of 2013. Due to the broad success of this first initiative, the sustainability project plan was extended for a further six years to 2019.

This is all possible because AUS strives to deliver excellent education and research in a sustainable manner. The university recognizes its responsibility to the environment and is committed to reducing its environmental impact and improve its environmental performance. By implementing proper practices, we aim to ascertain sustainable use of natural resources and to prevent any wasteful or polluting exercises. AUS strives to be a living model for sustainability, exemplifying values and actions that demonstrate our commitment to stewardship of resources and respect for the environment, now and in the future. Awareness and hard engineering are the two key components that comprise our sustainability initiatives at the university.

The hard engineering facet of AUS sustainability projects involves collaboration with the university’s Facilities team of engineers and technicians who work closely with internal, external and third parties to ensure the effective delivery of projects. In synch with AUS sustainability plans, the Operations department is performing a comprehensive review of the implementation and utilization of solar energy throughout the entire campus.

“Therefore, we are now pursuing ISO14001 to strengthen and complement the progress we have achieved thus far in our commitment to forge a more sustainable future,” said Fenn.

The certification will support the university in a number of ways, including:

• complying with environmental objectives and requirements
• reducing significantly the university’s carbon footprint
• raising awareness and engagement of the AUS community with the surrounding environment
• improving reputation and raising confidence among AUS community members
• facilitating continual system improvement
• providing competitive and financial advantages in sustainability

The certification will also motivate various AUS departments to work together and to continuously coordinate with students, faculty and staff in environmental projects and to make AUS an example of the best “Green Campus” in the UAE and beyond.

Vida Moradinasab is the Sustainability Administrative Coordinator at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Naila Tariq

For about a week this month, the American University of Sharjah's campus was covered in ribbons and cloth of red and blue. Wrapped around rails and lampposts, trees and pillars, the decorations added extra brightness to the campus. The reason? AUS was holding its elections to determine the new members of Student Council for the Academic Year 2016–2017.

A lot of work goes into making AUS run as smoothly as possible, with dozens of departments and hundreds of employees. As part of that effort, the needs of students are constantly considered, and that requires a mediator between both the administrative body and the students. Hence, the existence of the Student Council. Members of the council are responsible for giving a platform to the needs of the student body, working directly with administration to advocate for student interests. The Student Council allows for a dialogue between the student body and the administration, proving AUS’s dedication towards doing the best it can for its community.

Elections are held every spring semester. Both new candidates, as well as previous council members who are seeking re-election, can nominate themselves for a position. This year, the candidates divided themselves into two teams—Red and Blue—with 14 members on each team. There are 14 available positions on the Student Council, and each team hoped that all its own members would be elected for them. During the week campaign season, candidates from both teams and their supporters went around campus and talked to their fellow students to canvas for votes.

All registered students at American University of Sharjah are eligible to vote in the Student Council election and all students, except for the seniors who will be graduating, are also eligible to run for any of the elected Student Council offices. To leverage resources, especially for candidates with like-minded visions on how and what the council could do in the coming year, students come together to form coalitions, hence the Red and the Blue teams that ran this time around.

All voting at American University of Sharjah is done electronically. A number of voting booths are set at the university’s Student Center building with laptops serving as electronic voting devices. Students are required to log into the system using their AUS identification number and password to allow them to vote. This helps to ensure that every eligible voter votes only once and it simplifies and expedites the vote tallying as all votes, once cast, are tallied automatically and results can be ready immediately after voting finishes.

Both teams were excited, hoping that when the last vote was cast and tallied, their side would come up victorious, so they did not leave any stone unturned. They posted posters everywhere with pictures of their candidates, what their team promised to do, and why students should vote for them. Many students were seen wearing shirts, scarves and other items representing their preferred team, talking to other students and trying to convince them to vote for their side.

Come voting day, each team believed they had done everything they could do to earn their fellow students’ votes. Each team was hopeful that their team would be elected to form the new Student Council. Ultimately, however, the final results were a mixed bag, with voters choosing candidates from both teams for various positions.

Elected to the Student Council for the year 2016–2017 were:

Executive Board

Abdallah Moufeed Alzeer - President

Reem Salem AlNuaimi - Vice President

George Victor Marachli - Vice President for Public Relations

Haitham Moh'd Alawawdeh - Executive Secretary and Office Director

Qasim Ali - Treasurer

Community Outreach Committee

Ahmed Mohamed Hassan - Events and Activities Coordinator

Yousof Elshamashergy - Athletics and Sports Coordinator

Fatima Jasim Al Shamsi - Communication and Media Coordinator

Aashna Tandon Student - Organizations and Campus Services Coordinator

School and College Representatives

Yara Masoud Manla - College of Architecture, Art and Design Representative

Dima Ayman Kusaibati - College of Arts and Sciences Representative

Rami Nasr Alkhatib - College of Engineering Representative

Rama Farouq Tolimat - School of Business Administration Representative

Malek Safar Malke - Achievement Academy Bridge Program Representative

The continued success and enthusiasm for the Student Council elections shows how students care about being given a voice, and are active in deciding who their representatives will be.

Please click here to watch a video when the election results were being announced.

Naila Tariq is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah

By Gureni Lukwaro

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has one of the best libraries in the region. It’s not only very well designed, but it has vast resources to help students, faculty and other researchers find a wealth of information.

Something that some people may not be aware of is that the current state-of-the-art library is much younger than the university itself. When AUS was established in 1997, there were not as many buildings as there are now. Up until 2006, the AUS Library was located on the top floor of the university’s Main Building.

On May 31, 2006, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the American University of Sharjah, inaugurated the current building to be used as the official, dedicated library building for American University of Sharjah.

Renowned as one of the premier libraries in the region, the AUS Library provides collections, services and programs to support the curricular and research needs of the university community.

The majority of the AUS Library's rapidly growing physical collection of 140,000 items is in English; the library provides access to over 200,000 electronic books and there are also many materials available in Arabic. The online catalog can be used to search for library materials from any location on or off campus. Using the library website, students and faculty can access e-books, online databases, full-text journals and other digital resources.

The AUS Library facilities include the Information Commons with 135 desktop computers, group study rooms, quiet study areas and media viewing rooms. The library offers hands-on information literacy classes to teach students research skills. It also works in conjunction with all parts of the university to provide academic resources for all classes taught at AUS.

To mark the 10-year anniversary of continuous and outstanding service to the AUS community, the AUS Library ran an Instagram photo competition in April. More than 100 very creative, library-related images were submitted. The competition was open to all current AUS students and required contestants to capture their favorite library spot or moment and submit their entries marked with #AUSLibrary10.

A panel of qualified judges reviewed each entry. The winners, which were announced at the awards ceremony held at the AUS Library on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 were:

First Place: Abdukarim Umarov from the College of Architecture, Art and Design at American University of Sharjah

“The judges were impressed with how this photo successfully captures a moment in the life of the library, encompassing three floors, books and people. In addition to contrasting the rectangular book within the circular rotunda, the photo portrays the diverse individual activities that occur within our communal space,” said Daphne Flanagan, University Librarian, at the awards ceremony.

Second Place: Abdurahim Umarov, a marketing senior from the School of Business Administration at AUS and older brother of the first-place winner

“Throughout history, books have been a fundamental source of knowledge. The judges felt this photo imaginatively evokes the continuing path of learning,” Flanagan noted.

Third Place: Shareen Irshad, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Science in Computer Engineering at the American University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering

“The judges liked how this photo creatively combines the traditional and modern ways students access information,” said Flanagan.

Kevin Mitchell, AUS Interim Provost, presented prizes to the winners: an iPad mini for the first prize winner, a Vox Movie voucher worth AED400 for second place, and an AED200 Campus Cash voucher for third place. A montage of archival images and the Instagram entries were displayed during the ceremony.

Congratulations to the AUS Library on your 10th anniversary!

Gureni Lukwaro is a Social Media Specialist at the American University of Sharjah.

For more information about American University of Sharjah, please visit www.aus.edu

By Tayiba Ahmed

Every year more than a billion Muslims from all around the world fast for a period of one month. This is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims fast for this one month duration daily from dawn till sunset. While Muslims in some countries have to fast for around nine hours, fasting time in some of northern hemisphere countries can last for more than 20 hours.

As a non-Muslim, one might wonder why an entire community would chose follow this act so religiously. There are several reasons why the Muslim community takes the month of Ramadan so seriously. For one, since it is one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting is seen as one of the greatest forms of worship. It also is believed to help one’s spirituality and self-discipline, since fasting not only requires one to refrain from lawful acts such as eating and drinking, but it also requires one to abstain from committing any acts that are viewed as being sinful in Islam; these can be acts such as gossiping or backbiting. Muslims are also encouraged to do acts of kindness, and worship their God as much as they can during this month by praying, reading the Qur’an and giving charity, because it is believed that each righteous act is rewarded more during this month than any other time of the year. Moreover, by not eating and drinking and by suppressing one’s desires, it is believed that fasting allows one to feel more compassionate towards the less fortunate, and truly appreciate the blessings bestowed upon them, which are often taken for granted. Also, during this month all the fasting Muslims around the world follow a similar routine, which creates a sense of brotherhood amongst the Muslim community.

If you are a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country, or are around people from the Muslim community during the month of Ramadan, here is a list of etiquette that you should follow:

1. Do not eat, drink or smoke in public

It is easily understandable that eating or drinking in front of a Muslim who has been fasting is like tempting them and as common courtesy, it should be avoided when possible. However, in some countries, such as the UAE, it is not just unethical but also illegal to eat or drink in public places during the fasting hours. Even doing so in public or private transport could land you in trouble. Smoking in public is also prohibited.

2. Dress modestly

During Ramadan, make sure to avoid wearing revealing clothing. This would include clothes made out of sheer cloth, tight-fitting clothes, clothes with low-cut necklines, or ones showing too much skin.   

3. Do not listen to loud music

Refrain from listening to loud music when out. Also avoid loud music in cars.

4. Be aware of workplace rules

In most Muslim countries, office hours are reduced during Ramadan. If you are a non-Muslim working with Muslim colleagues, be aware of this when scheduling meetings or work events.

5. Avoid public display of affection

In most Muslim countries public display of affection is already frowned upon. However, during the month of Ramadan, it is highly unacceptable to engage in those.

If you want to do more during Ramadan, you can help out with charity work, or volunteer to distributing food during Iftar time. You can even join Muslims in celebrating the Eid festival that follows Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak to the American University of Sharjah community.

Tayiba Ahmed is a student at American University of Sharjah.

Visit www.aus.edu for more information about American University of Sharjah