Commemorating women's impact: AUS celebrates diversity, empowerment and inclusion on International Women's Day

American University of Sharjah (AUS) embraced the spirit of International Women's Day (IWD) with fervor and enthusiasm. Throughout its various colleges and departments, the campus buzzed with an array of activities aimed at honoring the contributions of women in society and promoting inclusivity.

AUS Faculty Senate President Dr. Nawar Al-Hassan Golley organized a senate celebration under the theme “Inspire Inclusion” attended by Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and faculty, which featured a gift voucher distribution ceremony to female employees from the university’s cleaning and security contractors in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

As a Professor in English and Coordinator of the Minor in Women’s Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Dr. Golley also gave a Library EDU Talk where she spoke about her journey into building a professional career committed to social justice and advocacy, particularly in advancing women's rights and recognizing their achievements. Her talk focused on inspiring individuals to follow their passions and pursue fields of study that align with their innate curiosities and values, even if it means diverging from traditional paths. She used the example of her own educational journey to emphasize the importance of recognizing one's own intellectual and emotional needs, and the potential for interdisciplinary learning to provide a more holistic understanding of the world.

“Despite excelling at my first-year engineering courses, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education did not answer all the questions the young inquisitive learner inside me grappled with. An innate feeling that the study of the humanities might be crucial to deal with my questions about life, people, society and justice pushed me to seek answers elsewhere. That was the beginning of an academic journey from STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics),” noted Dr. Golley in her introduction.

Moving from STEAM to STEM, the AUS College of Engineering highlighted the achievements of women in engineering under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” recognizing their faculty in an award ceremony as well as acknowledging the contributions of the Women in Engineering Student Club and students who are role models in their fields.

As part of the celebration, CEN also organized a panel discussion featuring Shaima Salmeen, Middle East and Asia Training Manager at SLB; Nirupa Chander, Vice President of Power Systems in the Middle East and Africa in Schneider Electric; Maha Ashehhi, Vice President of SDG Youth Council; and Dr. Aamena Alshamsi, Data Science Consultant and EdTech Entrepreneur.

“The panel discussions centered on the significant contributions women make to society, education and industry, aiming to glean valuable insights from these role models in various fields. The goal is to empower women, invest in their skills and expedite their advancement in engineering,” said Dr. Vian Ahmed, Professor in Industrial Engineering and Head of the Women’s Committee in CEN.

In a heartwarming display of appreciation, the Office of Student Affairs' Community Service and Outreach (CSO) at AUS paid tribute to widowed mothers for their dedication and perseverance in raising their children despite adversities. Collaborating with the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, a special recognition ceremony took place at AUS honoring 50 widowed mothers.

“It is important to acknowledge the resilience and strength of individuals who face challenges, let alone underprivileged widowed mothers, who are working hard to raise their kids despite social and economic challenges. Our celebration today underscores the value of collaboration and community involvement in recognizing and uplifting those who may be marginalized or facing difficult circumstances. We encourage and support women, while also promoting the importance of community engagement and recognition of their contributions,” said Aisha Ali, CSO Manager at AUS.

The AUS School of Business Administration (SBA) held an SBA International Women Bazaar, which showcased 25 innovative startups by women across the UAE, celebrating their entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity.

“It is crucial to provide a platform to celebrate and amplify the achievements and innovation of women entrepreneurs. By showcasing startups led by women from across the UAE, the event recognizes their entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity and fosters a supportive environment that encourages further growth and success. We aim to promote gender diversity and inclusivity in entrepreneurship, inspiring more women to pursue their business aspirations and contribute to economic growth and innovation in their communities. The event also serves as a networking opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect,” said Dr. Narjess Boubakri, Dean of SBA.

In the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD), architecture students Salma Ali, Yara Soliman, and Zainab Gawhari were invited by CAAD Chapter Representative Tala Alnounou to attend a tea meet at LWK + PARTNERS. The gathering provided students with a valuable opportunity to engage with female employees for a mentoring session, where they shared insights, tips, and experiences.

The AUS Office of Enrollment Management’s Sharakah program also organized a celebration for female school principals, counselors and administrators. The event comprised an inspirational talk focused on women empowerment touching on areas of empowerment through education and skill development, building confidence and resilience, navigating challenges in work and life, and cultivating work-life balance and self-care. Participants also enjoyed several activities and lunch. The Sharakah Program offers a wide variety of activities for high school students and teachers from partner schools and helps high school students get ready for placement tests through the study skills workshops and offers training programs that support teachers in their professional development.