Sharjah Ruler attends AUS Spring 2019 commencement

American University of Sharjah (AUS) is striding towards achieving its multidisciplinary research goals in line with the university’s strategic plans, said His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of AUS, at the university's Spring 2019 commencement ceremony held June 1, at University City Hall, Sharjah.

A total of 610 students graduated in various undergraduate majors and graduate programs offered by the university.

During his address, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, congratulated the graduates and their families on their special day.

“We would like to start by congratulating you, my sons and daughters, graduates of today on this great achievement, and to also congratulate your parents, who have worked hard to see their children succeeding at AUS today.

Commenting on university research efforts, His Highness said:

“I am also very happy to see the university taking strides in achieving its multidisciplinary research goals which are in line with the university’s strategic plans. Accordingly, faculty members have received tremendous support to pursue research in their various specialties. Their work has been published in leading academic and scientific periodicals, presented at research conferences, and won accolades regionally and internationally.”

Addressing the graduates at the end of his remarks, Sheikh Dr. Sultan said:

I look to you, dear graduates, to be the best ambassadors for your university, your countries and for humanity. You have a heavy responsibility to bear, and I am fully confident in what you can achieve; you are our hope for a better, brighter future. Go forth and follow in the footsteps of your fellow alumni and always aim for success. And remember, the doors of AUS will always be open to welcome you back.”

In his opening remarks, AUS Acting Chancellor Professor Kevin Mitchell conveyed his congratulations to the students on their achievement. He said:

“AUS is proud of your many accomplishments as students, and we look forward to your future successes as alumni.”

Professor Mitchell also said:

“Just as you successfully negotiated the challenges associated with pursuing a degree, I am confident that you will rise to the even greater challenges that lie ahead. Given what you have accomplished academically and as contributors to the AUS community through your leadership in student government and student organizations, participation in athletics and extracurricular activities, and community service initiatives, I am confident that you will continue to make a difference in the world.”

The breakdown of the Class of Spring 2019 is as follows:

Total number of graduating students: 610 

Number of undergraduate students receiving degrees: 536

Number of graduate students receiving degrees: 74

Number of male graduates: 248

Number of female graduates: 362

Total number of UAE nationals graduating: 91

A breakdown of the graduating class by college/school is as follows:

College of Architecture, Art and Design: 92 undergraduate and 7 graduate 

College of Arts and Sciences: 92 undergraduate and 4 graduate 

College of Engineering: 198 undergraduate and 54 graduate 

School of Business Administration: 154 undergraduate and 9 graduate

In her address, student speaker Ghaya Al-Saleh, a business administration major, said:

“Coming from over 90 different nationalities, we all come together creating a unifying and accepting group with diverse cultures, religions and ethnicities. With 2019 being declared as the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance,’ nothing exemplifies tolerance like the family we have here at American University of Sharjah: a place of converging, a symbol of giving, a spirit of coexistence. All of that is found right here on this day of graduation, and I am so proud to call myself a member of this family.”

Anna Terekhova, a management information systems major, was declared the recipient of the President's Cup for achieving the highest grade point average. Maryam Khalid Al Qasimi, an international studies major, received the Chancellor's Cup for exhibiting an outstanding combination of academic excellence, general character and service to the university.

To commemorate the commencement, on behalf of the graduating Class of Spring 2019, the Sharjah Ruler was presented with a selection of two outstanding artworks especially chosen for the occasion and produced by students from the College of Architecture, Art and Design.

Founded in 1997, AUS has fulfilled His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan's vision of a quality institution catering to the aspirations and needs of the UAE and the wider Gulf community as a whole.

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