News
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) has been granted Candidate for Accreditation Status by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) on March 12, 2026. The decision publicly announced by MSCHE.
MSCHE is one of the leading institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education and accredits over 500 institutions of higher education, prestigious and Ivy league universities such as Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, New York University, and the American University of Beirut.
Achieving candidacy affirms AUK’s commitment to the highest standards of academic quality and positions the University on a clear path toward accreditation. For AUK students, this milestone reflects concrete progress toward ensuring their education meets internationally recognized standards of excellence.
This achievement follows an evaluation conducted by an MSCHE peer review team in November 2025, where AUK met all seven accreditation standards, and received zero requirements—the strongest possible outcome at the candidacy stage. In addition, AUK earned four commendations recognizing its transparency, collaborative institutional culture, quality of general education, and strong student support services.
AUK is the first institution in Kuwait to achieve MSCHE candidacy. As such AUK joins a select group of 16 institutions outside the United States affiliated with MSCHE. It is also the first new MSCHE candidate in the Middle East in over two decades, joining the American University in Cairo, the American University of Beirut, and the American University of Sharjah, in holding active MSCHE accreditation or candidacy status.
AUK already holds six U.S. programmatic accreditations, including AACSB, ABET, AALE, CEA, and one NASAD Substantial Equivalency recognition, spanning business, engineering computing, liberal education, English language, and design. In addition to the existing Private Universities Council institutional accreditation, MSCHE candidacy adds international institutional accreditation endeavors to this portfolio.
Dr. Aseel Alawadhi, President of AUK, stated:
“This candidacy reflects what AUK has built over the past two decades: strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and a genuine commitment to our students. As the first institution in Kuwait to reach this stage with MSCHE, we are proud of what this achievement says about the quality of our Liberal Arts education at AUK.”
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) continues to expand opportunities for students to gain international academic and cultural experiences through its growing network of partnerships with leading universities around the world.
This summer, AUK students Nora Darkhabani and Sara Dallol have begun their Study Abroad journey at the University of Roehampton in the United Kingdom. Marking the second cycle of AUK students participating in the University of Roehampton exchange, this latest cohort reflects the continued success of the partnership and its growing impact in providing students with meaningful international learning opportunities. The program enables students to earn academic credit while immersing themselves in a new cultural environment, broadening their global perspectives, and developing the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
International student programs are a cornerstone of AUK’s commitment to preparing globally minded graduates by fostering cross-cultural learning, personal growth, and academic excellence. Through these experiences, students strengthen their adaptability, independence, and intercultural competencies while building lasting connections beyond the classroom. As AUK continues to strengthen its relationships with distinguished international institutions such as the University of Roehampton, students gain access to transformative opportunities that enrich both their academic and personal development.
The University looks forward to welcoming Nora and Sara back to campus and celebrating the valuable global perspectives, experiences, and insights they will bring to the AUK community.
AUK students Nora Darkhabani and Sara Dallol
AUK students Nora Darkhabani and Sara Dallol
AUK President, Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, welcomed Sheikha Dr. Al-Anoud Ibrahim Al-Sabah, Acting Director General of the National Library of Kuwait (NLK), to discuss potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions. The visiting team included Ms. Anwar Al-Dhamer, Director of the Arab Heritage department; Ms. Adhari Al-Hayef, Director of the Copyright Department; Mr. Abdulaziz Abu Al-Hasan; and Ms. Sara Al-Shehab.
As part of the visit, the NLK Team visited the AUK Library and met with the Library Director to learn about the library's services, technologies, and systems. The meeting focused on identifying opportunities for future collaboration between the two libraries.
AUK President, Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, along with Sheikha Dr. Al-Anoud Ibrahim Al-Sabah, Acting Director General of the National Library of Kuwait (NLK)
Group photo of AUK and NLK management team
General photo from the event
General photo from the event
The American University of Kuwait (AUK), in collaboration with KidZania Kuwait, proudly participated in activities organized in celebration of World Environment Day 2026, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and community engagement.
As part of this collaboration, AUK took part in a series of community-focused activities designed to promote environmental awareness and encourage sustainable practices among individuals and organizations.
One of the key highlights of the collaboration was the Tree Plantation Drive held at the Shamiya Greenhouse, where participants came together to contribute to environmental conservation efforts and support a greener future. AUK also joined KidZania Kuwait for the closing ceremony, which brought together community members, families, and partner organizations to celebrate collective efforts toward environmental sustainability.
Through this partnership, AUK and KidZania Kuwait sought to raise awareness about the importance of adopting sustainable practices, conserving natural resources, and encouraging positive environmental action within the community.
World Environment Day serves as a global platform for inspiring action on environmental challenges, including climate change, waste reduction, and resource conservation. By collaborating with KidZania Kuwait on this initiative, AUK further demonstrated its dedication to fostering environmental consciousness and creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement.
AUK remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, social responsibility, and active citizenship while empowering future generations to contribute to a more sustainable world.
This collaboration reflects AUK’s mission to cultivate responsible leaders who are prepared to address global challenges through innovation, education, and community involvement.
For more information about AUK’s sustainability and community engagement initiatives, follow AUK on its social media channels or visit the university’s website.
Mrs. Yasmeen Alsalem, PR & Marketing Director at AUK
General photo from the World Environment Day 2026 activity organized by KidZania Kuwait with the participation of AUK
General photo from the World Environment Day 2026 activity organized by KidZania Kuwait with the participation of AUK
The Library at the American University of Kuwait has announced the successful launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI) assistant integrated into its Oral History and Documentation platform, a project supported by Kuwait Projects Company KIPCO, marking a significant advancement in access to Kuwait’s cultural and historical records.
The platform, available at https://oralhistory.auk.edu.kw, serves as a digital archive dedicated to preserving personal narratives and archival materials that contribute to Kuwait’s collective memory. With the addition of the AI assistant, users can now engage with the collection in a more dynamic and intuitive manner.
Developed as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to innovation in the digital humanities, the AI assistant enables users to navigate the archive more efficiently by responding to natural language queries, summarizing oral histories, and surfacing relevant materials across the collection.
The Oral History and Documentation site features a growing collection of interviews, transcripts, and photographs documenting the social, cultural, and economic development of Kuwait. The AI assistant significantly enhances the discoverability of these materials, particularly for students and researchers. This initiative positions AUK at the forefront of digital humanities innovation.
A new collection of interviews was recently released featuring prominent narrators, including Amer Al-Tamimi, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Shatti, May Al-Nouri, and Abdulaziz Al-Khateeb.
The American University of Kuwait Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Shaikha Dana Naser AlSabah is proud to appoint Dr. Aseel AlAwadhi as the President of the university marking an important milestone in AUK’s continued growth and institutional advancement.
Dr. AlAwadhi brings extensive academic and leadership experience, with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing higher education, strengthening institutional impact, and supporting student success. Her vision aligns with AUK’s mission to foster innovation, academic excellence, and meaningful community engagement. As President, she will lead the University’s continued development by enhancing academic programs, supporting faculty excellence, expanding strategic partnerships, and enriching the overall student experience.
The AUK community warmly welcomes Dr. AlAwadhi and looks forward to the vision, leadership, and continued success she will bring to the University.
Shaikha Dana Naser AlSabah, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Dr. Aseel AlAwadhi, President of AUK
General photo of AUK
AUK welcomed Dr Jasem Al Ali from the General secretariat of Private Universities council (PUC) as part of ongoing field visits to private higher education institutions across Kuwait.
The visit comes within the framework of overviewing the activation of emergency plans and assessing the precautionary measures to ensure the safety and continuity of the academic process. During the visit, Dr Jasem Al Ali reviewed the ongoing preparations implemented by AUK, as well as the university’s operational procedures designed to maintain a safe and secure campus environment.
University officials presented an overview of the institution’s preparedness plans, safety protocols, and the mechanisms in place to ensure the well-being of students, faculty, and staff while maintaining academic and administrative continuity.
This visit reflects the continued coordination and cooperation between the General Secretariat of the Council of Private Universities and private higher education institutions in Kuwait, reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening safety standards and institutional readiness across the sector.
The American University of Kuwait remains committed to maintaining the highest levels of preparedness and operational resilience, ensuring a safe learning environment for its academic community.
AUK was represented at the celebration marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the State of Kuwait and the People’s Republic of China, held at the invitation of the First Secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Representing AUK’s College of Business, Dean Dr. Mohammed Elian and Dr. Nabeel Sawalha attended the commemorative event, which brought together members of the diplomatic corps, academic institutions, and distinguished guests. The program featured a traditional Chinese acrobatic performance, cultural presentations, and a formal dinner reception honoring more than five decades of bilateral relations between Kuwait and China.
The invitation followed the Embassy’s recent participation as Guest of Honor at the Culture Showcase organized by Dr. Sawalha for the International Business course at AUK. The showcase provided students with direct exposure to international diplomatic perspectives, reinforcing the practical and global dimensions of business education.
AUK’s participation in the anniversary celebration reflects the College of Business’s ongoing commitment to outreach, international engagement, and academic collaboration. Such initiatives support the University’s broader internationalization efforts and create valuable opportunities for cultural exchange and experiential learning.
Through sustained partnerships with diplomatic and global institutions, AUK continues to advance its mission of preparing students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
AUK successfully concluded the second season of the Gulf Universities Championship (GUC), welcoming student-athletes from across the Gulf Cooperation Council for three days of competitive play marked by sportsmanship and regional engagement.
Building on the success of its inaugural season, the championship expanded this year to include Futsal and Padel competitions for men and women, reflecting AUK’s ongoing commitment to promoting active lifestyles and strengthening inter-university collaboration through sport. Participating institutions included AUK and the American University of the Middle East from Kuwait, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences from Oman, the University of Doha for Science and Technology from Qatar, and the American University of Bahrain.
In Women’s Padel, the American University of Bahrain secured first place, followed by the American University of the Middle East in second and AUK in third. The Men’s Padel competition saw the American University of Bahrain claim first place, with AUK placing second and the University of Doha for Science and Technology finishing third. In Men’s Futsal, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences earned first place, the University of Doha for Science and Technology placed second, and the American University of the Middle East secured third.
Individual honors in Futsal were awarded to Zaher Alaysari of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences as Top Scorer, Abdullah Alalawee of the same institution as Best Goalkeeper, and Yousef Shrief of the University of Doha for Science and Technology as Most Valuable Player.
“This championship reflects what university sports should represent—unity, character, and opportunity,” said Omar Mehdi, Director of Student Life at AUK. “Bringing together universities from across the Gulf creates meaningful connections beyond competition. We are proud to host GUC for a second season and to continue building a platform that supports student growth, wellness, and regional collaboration through sport.”
With increased participation, expanded sporting disciplines, and strengthened partnerships, GUC Season 2 represents another milestone in positioning AUK as a leading hub for collegiate athletics in the region. Planning is already underway for future seasons, with a continued focus on expanding opportunities for student-athletes across the Gulf.
Images from the event
AUK proudly announced that students from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) earned the Best Sportsmanship Award and advanced to the finals in the VEX Robotics Tournament category at the Kuwait National Robotics Competition (KNRC) 2026. The competition took place over two days, February 7–8, bringing together university teams from across Kuwait.
AUK participated with two teams composed of 12 students from CEAS. The teams were coached by Dr. Ali Roumani, Assistant Professor at CEAS, and co-supervised by Eng. Omar Elkalesh and David Lang.
The Kuwait National Robotics Competition is an annual national event that gathers students from middle schools, high schools, and universities to compete in innovative robotics challenges. Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Youth Public Authority, KNRC provides a platform for participants to apply engineering and programming skills in a hands-on, competitive environment. Students design, build, and program robots from basic components to address real-world challenges and inspire future technological solutions for Kuwait.
Dr. Ali Roumani emphasized the significance of such competitions, and said, “Computing and technology competitions play a vital role in empowering students’ academic education with applied technical and real-life experiences. They foster creativity and innovation, enhance programming, design, engineering, and problem-solving skills, promote teamwork and leadership, and strengthen computational thinking, communication, and presentation skills. Participating in this competition elevates AUK’s presence within regional academic and technology communities and reflects our university’s commitment to innovation and STEM education.”
The AUK winning team “AUK1” members include Jana EssamEldin Hassan, Raghad Mohamed AboElhliba, Shrouq Hossny AbdelSalam Ahmed, Reem Mohammed ElSabaa, Moemen Hossam ElByah, and Abdelrahman Tareq Abdelmoneim, among other CEAS participants.
The second participating team AUK2 members include Joanna Sawddawi, Malak A Alsabt, Fahad Yusuf Kalloush, Farah Abdullah Almajadi, Malek M Alkashat, Yasmeen Eskandar.
This accomplishment highlights AUK’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning, innovation, and excellence in STEM education, while reinforcing its role in preparing students to contribute to Kuwait’s future technological advancement.
Images from the event
