UAE’s best and brightest future leaders welcomed at AUS orientation week

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has opened its doors to 1,100 new students this fall. The latest recruits to join AUS include some of the best performing school students from across the Emirates, the wider GCC and around the globe. This semester, AUS has only accepted students who achieved results in the top 20 percent of their high school class, adding to the University's strong reputation for academic excellence.

AUS Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Instruction, Professor Kevin Mitchell, welcomed the students and their parents to the University at an event held in the AUS Auditorium on Friday, August 18 in the evening. Professor Mitchell stressed the importance of continuing the University's proud academic tradition, as well as the role the new students will play in contributing to the vibrant campus environment. He said: "In 1997, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah, founded AUS to become the region's leader in higher education, known for excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, research and service. Our new freshmen now join AUS in this proud tradition, selected from a group of highly qualified applicants. As well as working closely with highly qualified faculty members in their chosen fields of study, the students who are joining AUS have tremendous extracurricular opportunities that include clubs, events, volunteer initiatives and athletics. At AUS, we value intellectual engagement and contributions to the campus and the community that go well beyond the formal program of study."

AUS, which is a not-for-profit organization, offers financial grants and scholarships to ensure that eligible students who meet the University's academic criteria for entry are not disadvantaged because of their financial circumstances. Each year AUS offers approximately AED 80 million in financial grants and scholarships, and highly qualified students entering this year will be eligible for the newly introduced Distinguished Student Scholarship that recognizes academic excellence.

This year, 35 incoming study abroad students will also join the University, hailing from countries including Armenia, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Iraq, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.

AUS is known for the cultural diversity of its campus, and Chancellor Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve believes the influx of new students from abroad will benefit student life as a whole, he says: "We pride ourselves on the university's openness and tolerance. Currently, 93 countries are represented on the AUS campus. Our University is a global microcosm, bringing together people of different cultures and ethnicities who share common goals of academic excellence and community service."

A week-long schedule of on and off campus festivities and events has been organized for the new AUS students, including a dinner reception and library tour, Sharjah and Dubai city tours, games at the Student Center and awareness sessions for parents and students.