News
14, Dec 2010
Gulf Studies Center Host 2nd Diwaniah
The American University of Kuwait's Gulf Studies Center hosted its 2nd Diwaniah for AUK directors and faculty in the Camel Racing Club in Kuwait. The program started with the arrival of Shiekh Duaij Ibrahim Al-Sabah, the representative for His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, followed by traditional Arabic style lunch. There were six rounds of robot camel racing and after each round there were Arabic dance performances. After the races, winners were announced and camel riding was made available for the attendees.
Appreciation Award presented to the Gulf Studies Center (Ms. Jill H Allgier and Dr. Mohammad Akbar)
AUK faculty and directors gather together to have lunch in traditional Arabic style
Dr. Mohsen Bagneid and his family enjoy themselves during a camel ride
Professor John Rutland
Diwaniah
Dr. Mohammad Akbar and Dr. Marjorie Kelly
Professor Hosseini from GUST University joined us in the event
Professor Rizwan Ahmad riding the camel with his daughter
Arabic Dancing
Group photo with Shiekh Duaij Ibrahim Al Sabah
13, Dec 2010
French Embassy Honors AUK Students
The French Embassy in Kuwait and the Voltaire Institute, the Official French Language Institute in Kuwait, honored four AUK students on November 6 at 7 pm at a ceremony in the Lycée Français de Koweït in Salmiya.
AUK students Faye Al Obaid, Monica Matta, Fawaz Al Yagout and Hala Botros were prepared by AUK's Instructor of French Language Joseph Fiannaca last semester for the DELF examinations. The DELF is a proficiency test, similar to the English TOEFL, and offers various levels. The students receive an official certificate delivered by the French Ministry of Education and the European Union. Mr. Fiannaca said, "It's very positive for the program to see students' efforts rewarded at such a high level and it will definitely encourage more students to continue in their learning of French or even study for a minor in French. A minor in foreign languages (French and Spanish) is in the development process."
AUK students Faye Al Obaid, Monica Matta, Fawaz Al Yagout and Hala Botros were prepared by AUK's Instructor of French Language Joseph Fiannaca last semester for the DELF examinations. The DELF is a proficiency test, similar to the English TOEFL, and offers various levels. The students receive an official certificate delivered by the French Ministry of Education and the European Union. Mr. Fiannaca said, "It's very positive for the program to see students' efforts rewarded at such a high level and it will definitely encourage more students to continue in their learning of French or even study for a minor in French. A minor in foreign languages (French and Spanish) is in the development process."
Images from the ceremony
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12, Dec 2010
Student Government at AUK Screens Gulf Cup final
The Student Government Association (SGA) at the American University of Kuwait held a screening of the Gulf Cup final between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia where over 700 students showed up at the Liberal Arts Auditorium to cheer for the Kuwait National Team. Kuwait won 1-0 to claim their 10th Gulf Cup win and SGA would like to congratulate the National team and the rest of the Kuwaiti public for this historic win.
Images from the event
09, Dec 2010
AUK places 3rd in Annual Public Speaking Competition
The American University of Kuwait team won 3rd place in the 10th Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition held in Dubai. It was a research-based competition about the environment and was divided into 4 categories that attracted 63 universities from the GCC countries. AUK had one team and we competed in one category: Intelligent Use of Water: Conservation or Management? Seventeen different universities competed in our event with AUK student Nour El-Ariss as the speaker, Samantha Combs, assistant and Intensive English Program Senior Instructor Don Prades as the faculty advisor/coach. AUK students performed well under pressure gaining the respect of other universities and the organizers of the event which was held under the patronage of His Highness Shiekh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE. This was our 4th appearance in this annual competition twice placing in 3rd and twice winning 1st.
(left to right): Assistant and Intensive English Program Senior Instructor Don Prades, AUK students Samantha Combs & Nour El-Ariss
09, Dec 2010
AUK Professor, Ghazi Nassir Authors New Book
Associate Professor of English Language and Literature at the American University of Kuwait Dr. Ghazi Nassir has authored a new book titled 'Culture and Customs of Iraq' to be released January 31, 2012 by Greenwood Press.
The book, made of eight chapters, provides an overview but concise look at the history, religion, education, economics and government of the Iraqi people. It also surveyed the roles of literature, media, cinema, fine arts, architecture, music, and dance as well as discussed Iraqi cuisine, traditional dress, gender, marriage, family, social customs and lifestyles. This volume is written from what might be called a double perspective; Iraq is viewed both from the outside and from within. It describes, and analyzes its history, people, religions, and social systems, and how these systems are shaped by traditional factors. It seeks to provide students and other readers essential, accurate, and solid information to understand the Iraqi people and their culture. Particular attention is devoted to the land and the people who make this culture, their backgrounds, vital rituals and central beliefs, practices, and moral values.
Culture and Customs of Iraq comes in at a crucial juncture in history. The Iraqi culture stems from three main sources: family, religion (Islam), and language (Arabic). To understand Iraqis, one must understand these three sources adequately. The kinship trait includes a set of group interactions that are built around the family. Each Iraqi family member is responsible for the integrity of his or her family and for the behaviour of other members. Their religion is an ultimate expression of the idealism of the Iraqis. Iraqis generally are moderately a religious and conservative people, and religious principles (Islamic or non-Islamic) are quite noticeable in their daily lives. Their language exerts tremendous influence on their personal interaction and emotional tone. For the Europeans in general and the Americans in particular, this is a must to understand Iraqi culture and customs, especially important at present because it can provide a basis for our own interactive behaviour with Iraqis as well as a basis for interpreting their behavioural characteristics.
The book, made of eight chapters, provides an overview but concise look at the history, religion, education, economics and government of the Iraqi people. It also surveyed the roles of literature, media, cinema, fine arts, architecture, music, and dance as well as discussed Iraqi cuisine, traditional dress, gender, marriage, family, social customs and lifestyles. This volume is written from what might be called a double perspective; Iraq is viewed both from the outside and from within. It describes, and analyzes its history, people, religions, and social systems, and how these systems are shaped by traditional factors. It seeks to provide students and other readers essential, accurate, and solid information to understand the Iraqi people and their culture. Particular attention is devoted to the land and the people who make this culture, their backgrounds, vital rituals and central beliefs, practices, and moral values.
Culture and Customs of Iraq comes in at a crucial juncture in history. The Iraqi culture stems from three main sources: family, religion (Islam), and language (Arabic). To understand Iraqis, one must understand these three sources adequately. The kinship trait includes a set of group interactions that are built around the family. Each Iraqi family member is responsible for the integrity of his or her family and for the behaviour of other members. Their religion is an ultimate expression of the idealism of the Iraqis. Iraqis generally are moderately a religious and conservative people, and religious principles (Islamic or non-Islamic) are quite noticeable in their daily lives. Their language exerts tremendous influence on their personal interaction and emotional tone. For the Europeans in general and the Americans in particular, this is a must to understand Iraqi culture and customs, especially important at present because it can provide a basis for our own interactive behaviour with Iraqis as well as a basis for interpreting their behavioural characteristics.
Dr. Ghazi Nassir
06, Dec 2010
AUK Hosts 4th Annual Homecoming Week
The American University of Kuwait's Division of Student Affairs hosted its 4th Annual Homecoming Week with events catering to every segment of the AUK community. From 'Dinner with the President' for Freshmen, to the Annual Reception for Alumni the week also featured a Staff/Faculty vs. Students soccer game.
Homecoming kicked off with AUK's Pride Day on November 28th where the Office of Student Life gave out AUK giveaways during a Barbeque that featured a male and female Staff/Faculty vs. Students soccer game where Staff/Faculty came out winners in both occasions. In addition, there was a Dribble, Shoot and Score competition and in the evening students came out to participate in a Karaoke event.
The second day, Big Day Out, saw many different activities including painting, board games and carnival games, where the winners received a prize. Approximately 206 students showed up to partake in these activities. In the evening the Office of Parent Relations and Alumni Affairs (OPRAA) hosted 'Dinner with the President' an event that gives Freshmen students and their parents a chance to meet and talk with AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson. The event was attended by more than 40 Freshmen and IEP students, their parents and faculty members. Also in attendance were Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott.
On the last day OPRAA hosted the Senior Launch where Seniors gather for the traditional roll call, collection of their AUK Senior T-shirts followed by the festivities of blasting confetti to launch their senior year. The event took place outside near the soccer field and was attended by 94 seniors and their friends and faculty who enjoyed this fun event which included a barbecue, music and a raffle. The raffle prizes were three gift vouchers from Starbucks and one iPod Nano courtesy of Digits.
The week's events were capped by the 5th Annual Alumni Reception, which gathered AUK Alums from the classes of '06, '07, '08, '09 and the most recent class of 2010. More than 160 alumni attended as well as AUK President and the Deans of the College and Student Affairs as well as faculty and staff. The event included three raffle prizes, an iPod Nano from Digits, a roundtrip ticket to Dubai and a roundtrip ticket to Beirut courtesy of Wataniya Airways.
Homecoming kicked off with AUK's Pride Day on November 28th where the Office of Student Life gave out AUK giveaways during a Barbeque that featured a male and female Staff/Faculty vs. Students soccer game where Staff/Faculty came out winners in both occasions. In addition, there was a Dribble, Shoot and Score competition and in the evening students came out to participate in a Karaoke event.
The second day, Big Day Out, saw many different activities including painting, board games and carnival games, where the winners received a prize. Approximately 206 students showed up to partake in these activities. In the evening the Office of Parent Relations and Alumni Affairs (OPRAA) hosted 'Dinner with the President' an event that gives Freshmen students and their parents a chance to meet and talk with AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson. The event was attended by more than 40 Freshmen and IEP students, their parents and faculty members. Also in attendance were Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott.
On the last day OPRAA hosted the Senior Launch where Seniors gather for the traditional roll call, collection of their AUK Senior T-shirts followed by the festivities of blasting confetti to launch their senior year. The event took place outside near the soccer field and was attended by 94 seniors and their friends and faculty who enjoyed this fun event which included a barbecue, music and a raffle. The raffle prizes were three gift vouchers from Starbucks and one iPod Nano courtesy of Digits.
The week's events were capped by the 5th Annual Alumni Reception, which gathered AUK Alums from the classes of '06, '07, '08, '09 and the most recent class of 2010. More than 160 alumni attended as well as AUK President and the Deans of the College and Student Affairs as well as faculty and staff. The event included three raffle prizes, an iPod Nano from Digits, a roundtrip ticket to Dubai and a roundtrip ticket to Beirut courtesy of Wataniya Airways.
Mr. Meshal Al Ali (on the left), Co-Founder and Vice Chair, Board of Trustees and Dr. Winfred Thompson, the President of American University of Kuwait with AUK Mascot during the homecoming barbecue.
Other images from the homecoming Barbecue
Images from the male and female Staff/Faculty vs. Students soccer game
Images from the senior launch
Images from the 5th Alumni reception
Collective photo of AUK Alums
05, Dec 2010
Young Women from Kuwait and the U.S. Find Common Ground as Computer Science Majors
By: Dartmouth student Tiffany Pollack '10
It was 9:15 a.m. in Hanover and 4:15 p.m. in Kuwait City on October 21 when two groups of young women - one at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and one at Dartmouth, talked about the reasons they chose to major in Computer Science. Facilitated by the Dartmouth College - American University of Kuwait Project, the Institute for Security, Technology, and Society (ISTS) and the Women in Science Project, the conversation took place in real time using videoconferencing technology in the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL), and the Information Technology Department and the Library at American University of Kuwait (AUK).
The videoconference highlighted a growing list of activities that take place as part of Dartmouth's relationship with AUK, now in its seventh year. One aspect of that relationship, the AUK Faculty Fellows Program, brings AUK scholars to Dartmouth to work with counterparts in Hanover. AUK Assistant Professor of Computer Science Amir Zeid visited Dartmouth in summer 2010 to work with George Cybenko, the Dorothy and Walter Gramm Professor of Engineering. Struck by the relatively low proportion of women studying Computer Science at Dartmouth and elsewhere in the United States - in sharp contrast to AUK, where a high percentage of Computer Science majors are women - Zeid approached Denise Anthony, Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology and Research Director at ISTS - with the idea of launching joint research on the issue, beginning with the October videoconference.
"I began my formal research on how cultural issues affect women's enrollment in Computer Science academic programs in May 2010, using Kuwait as a case study," said Zeid. 'The videoconference was a great learning experience for all of us, and I hope it leads to a long term research collaboration with Dartmouth".
"All of us truly felt that we were sitting in one room," added Rehab El Bahey, who moderated the conversation in Kuwait. "The flow of the discussion and the similarities in thoughts and experiences eliminated all time, place, and cultural barriers". El Bahey is a coordinator in AUK's Arabian Heritage Project. She was assisted during the videoconference by Christina Chen '10, a Dartmouth student in Kuwait for the fall term as an intern at AUK.
One Dartmouth participant, Shloka Kini '13, observed both similarities and cultural and educational differences between her undergraduate experience and that of the women who attend AUK. "It would be mutually beneficial to keep in contact [with this group]," she said, "not only to continue the conversation but to build bonds with other women for future collaboration." She described the session as "an undeniable connection," adding, "Perhaps in the future, we will all have changed the world with this conversation about girls in Computer Science.
"The lack of gender diversity among computer scientists, as in math, engineering and science more generally, is a significant concern in the United States, and here at Dartmouth," said Denise Anthony. "Collaborations like this provide an incredible opportunity for women in Computer Science to learn from, and support, one another. We hope this will turn into an ongoing conversation."
Videoconferencing between AUK and Dartmouth has become a continuing aspect of the institutional collaboration. Web technology allows participants on both sides of the world to erase the physical distance between them. Previous sessions have involved the institutions' respective Writing Programs, a joint session of a Dartmouth Anthropology and an AUK Comparative Literature class, and a student-to-student presentation at Dartmouth's first Student Conference on Global Learning, sponsored by the Dickey Center for International Understanding.
The American University of Kuwait, established in 2003, is a liberal arts institution, based on the American model of higher education. Dartmouth has worked with AUK since its founding under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding that involves faculty, students, and staff in both locations. Dartmouth experts in engineering, information technology, library sciences, communications, governance, and other areas routinely visit Kuwait while students, faculty, and staff from Kuwait travel to the United States to work with their counterparts at Dartmouth. Since the relationship began, the two institutions have steadily deepened and expanded their partnership, creating a dynamic, evolving, and unique cross-cultural collaboration.
AUK students who participated in the videoconference:
Rawan Al-Sughayer '11
Wadha Al-Dalama '12
Dalaa Al-Qhatani '12
Danah Buqrais '12
Aysha Al-Rowaished '09
Hajer Nothary '13
Sally Saleh '09
Zainah Alrujaib '10
Modi A Al-Mohareb '10
Dalal H Al-Obaidly '11
Dartmouth students who participated in the October 21 videoconference:
Emma N. Smithayer '12
Divya A. Gunasekaran '11
Shloka R. Kini '13
Kelsey M. Harris '11
Rebecca H. Shapiro, GR (graduate student)
Grace F. Dowd '11
It was 9:15 a.m. in Hanover and 4:15 p.m. in Kuwait City on October 21 when two groups of young women - one at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and one at Dartmouth, talked about the reasons they chose to major in Computer Science. Facilitated by the Dartmouth College - American University of Kuwait Project, the Institute for Security, Technology, and Society (ISTS) and the Women in Science Project, the conversation took place in real time using videoconferencing technology in the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL), and the Information Technology Department and the Library at American University of Kuwait (AUK).
The videoconference highlighted a growing list of activities that take place as part of Dartmouth's relationship with AUK, now in its seventh year. One aspect of that relationship, the AUK Faculty Fellows Program, brings AUK scholars to Dartmouth to work with counterparts in Hanover. AUK Assistant Professor of Computer Science Amir Zeid visited Dartmouth in summer 2010 to work with George Cybenko, the Dorothy and Walter Gramm Professor of Engineering. Struck by the relatively low proportion of women studying Computer Science at Dartmouth and elsewhere in the United States - in sharp contrast to AUK, where a high percentage of Computer Science majors are women - Zeid approached Denise Anthony, Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology and Research Director at ISTS - with the idea of launching joint research on the issue, beginning with the October videoconference.
"I began my formal research on how cultural issues affect women's enrollment in Computer Science academic programs in May 2010, using Kuwait as a case study," said Zeid. 'The videoconference was a great learning experience for all of us, and I hope it leads to a long term research collaboration with Dartmouth".
"All of us truly felt that we were sitting in one room," added Rehab El Bahey, who moderated the conversation in Kuwait. "The flow of the discussion and the similarities in thoughts and experiences eliminated all time, place, and cultural barriers". El Bahey is a coordinator in AUK's Arabian Heritage Project. She was assisted during the videoconference by Christina Chen '10, a Dartmouth student in Kuwait for the fall term as an intern at AUK.
One Dartmouth participant, Shloka Kini '13, observed both similarities and cultural and educational differences between her undergraduate experience and that of the women who attend AUK. "It would be mutually beneficial to keep in contact [with this group]," she said, "not only to continue the conversation but to build bonds with other women for future collaboration." She described the session as "an undeniable connection," adding, "Perhaps in the future, we will all have changed the world with this conversation about girls in Computer Science.
"The lack of gender diversity among computer scientists, as in math, engineering and science more generally, is a significant concern in the United States, and here at Dartmouth," said Denise Anthony. "Collaborations like this provide an incredible opportunity for women in Computer Science to learn from, and support, one another. We hope this will turn into an ongoing conversation."
Videoconferencing between AUK and Dartmouth has become a continuing aspect of the institutional collaboration. Web technology allows participants on both sides of the world to erase the physical distance between them. Previous sessions have involved the institutions' respective Writing Programs, a joint session of a Dartmouth Anthropology and an AUK Comparative Literature class, and a student-to-student presentation at Dartmouth's first Student Conference on Global Learning, sponsored by the Dickey Center for International Understanding.
The American University of Kuwait, established in 2003, is a liberal arts institution, based on the American model of higher education. Dartmouth has worked with AUK since its founding under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding that involves faculty, students, and staff in both locations. Dartmouth experts in engineering, information technology, library sciences, communications, governance, and other areas routinely visit Kuwait while students, faculty, and staff from Kuwait travel to the United States to work with their counterparts at Dartmouth. Since the relationship began, the two institutions have steadily deepened and expanded their partnership, creating a dynamic, evolving, and unique cross-cultural collaboration.
AUK students who participated in the videoconference:
Rawan Al-Sughayer '11
Wadha Al-Dalama '12
Dalaa Al-Qhatani '12
Danah Buqrais '12
Aysha Al-Rowaished '09
Hajer Nothary '13
Sally Saleh '09
Zainah Alrujaib '10
Modi A Al-Mohareb '10
Dalal H Al-Obaidly '11
Dartmouth students who participated in the October 21 videoconference:
Emma N. Smithayer '12
Divya A. Gunasekaran '11
Shloka R. Kini '13
Kelsey M. Harris '11
Rebecca H. Shapiro, GR (graduate student)
Grace F. Dowd '11
Dartmouth faculty and students participating in a videoconference with their counterpart at the American University of Kuwait (Joseph Mehling '69, Dartmouth College Photographer)
28, Nov 2010
AUK Recognized as a "Superbrand" in 2010
The American University of Kuwait has been awarded as one of the Superbrands in Kuwait for 2010, at a tribute event at the Movenpick Hotel in Shuwaikh, Free Trade Zone on November 6, 2010. This is the second time Superbrands takes place in Kuwait, and AUK was selected and qualified as one of the strongest brands in Kuwait.
Superbrands is an organization based in the United Kingdom that promotes the discipline of branding and pays tribute to exceptional brands in over 50 countries. The organization grants 'Superbrand' status to companies whose brand recognition is considered exceptional in the market. Superbrands is now a global business operating in over 50 countries worldwide, including Kuwait.
AUK was voted by the members of the Kuwait Superbrand Council comprised of high-profile chief executive officers of major companies in Kuwait, and was then awarded at the tribute event. As part of being awarded with the Superbrand status, AUK is showcased in the annual Superbrands Book, which includes profiles of all the companies that were awarded in Kuwait in 2010. This book will be distributed to chief executives of major companies of different fields in Kuwait and the Middle East.
AUK was awarded based on its strong and consistent branding identity, its name recognition within the local market, its distinct quality of service, promotional and media coverage, as well as the Superbrands' Council's own perceptions of AUK.
Amer El-Assaad, Senior Coordinator for Publications Planning & Design (AUK PR & Marketing Department) accepting the 2010 Superbrands Award from Mr. Mike English, Director of Superbrands Middle East (right), and Mr. Hani Mansour, Brands Liaison Assistant Manager of Superbrands Kuwait
11, Nov 2010
Patriots Club and Discover Kuwait Club hold Lecture on Kuwaiti Constitution
The Patriots Club and the Discover Kuwait Club at the American University of Kuwait held a lecture titled "1962: Sheikh Abdallah Al-Salem's Vision and the Reality" to discuss the birth of the Kuwaiti Constitution and its current state. The lecture took place in the AUK Liberal Arts Auditorium on November 10, 2010. Two important figures in the Kuwaiti political scene were present to speak to the audience about the history and reality of the Kuwaiti Constitution Ghanim Al-Najjar, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University and long-time human rights activist and Former Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Sager.
The lecture focused on Kuwaiti democracy and the barriers facing Parliamentarians and the Government. It also focused on the history and birth of the Kuwaiti Constitution and the vision of the Late Amir Sheikh Abdallah Al-Salem.
Patriots Club President Qutaiba Al-Humood and Discover Kuwait Club President Nada Al-Muzaini said that this event is important in highlight the importance of the Kuwaiti Constitution as a tool that citizens must know in order to protect and preserve freedoms and rights of all citizens. They also emphasized the importance of making the younger generation more aware of their rights and responsibilities in order to make them more informed citizens and subsequently more informed voters to build a better Kuwait. The event was sponsored by Al-Markaz Law Firm and Kuwait English School.
The lecture focused on Kuwaiti democracy and the barriers facing Parliamentarians and the Government. It also focused on the history and birth of the Kuwaiti Constitution and the vision of the Late Amir Sheikh Abdallah Al-Salem.
Patriots Club President Qutaiba Al-Humood and Discover Kuwait Club President Nada Al-Muzaini said that this event is important in highlight the importance of the Kuwaiti Constitution as a tool that citizens must know in order to protect and preserve freedoms and rights of all citizens. They also emphasized the importance of making the younger generation more aware of their rights and responsibilities in order to make them more informed citizens and subsequently more informed voters to build a better Kuwait. The event was sponsored by Al-Markaz Law Firm and Kuwait English School.
Left to Right: Former Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Sager, Patriots Club President Qutaiba Al-Humood & Ghanim Al-Najjar, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University and long-time human rights activist
A view of the audience
A view of the audience
10, Nov 2010
AUK Students Participate in Nuqat Design Conference at GUST
Seven AUK graphic design majors took part in the two-day 'Nuqat Design Conference' held at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) on October 24-25, 2010. Mr. Tarek Atrissi, an internationally known graphic designer, lectured and facilitated the two-day session.
The conference and the workshop theme was "Visual Pollution in the Arab World," and explored the notion of social activism and how design can reinforce awareness in our communities.
At the workshop, students conceptualized and created a prototype highlighting the contributing factor in visual pollution such as: signage, shop logos, packaging, supermarket layout, environmental issues, etc. By the end of the second day, students ended up with creative ideas related to the theme "visual pollution." Their solutions tapped the notion of awareness.
One of the AUK students, Sepideh Behebehiai, said of the experience: "In the two-day workshop Tarek taught the students the most important thing any artist or designer could teach and that is how to sustain creativity during the creative process, and that to be able to have a dialogue about the process can help students express their ideas and guide them accordingly. This was a really great experience for me to attend this workshop and meet him."
Another AUK student, Dalal Marafie, said: "The Nuqat experience was very fascinating for me because it made me think of things from another perspective. By another perspective I mean looking at things from a detailed way rather than an overview or a general way. Additionally, I'd never heard of something called visual pollution; however, this term made me think twice of my work. It was very challenging to turn all the bad typography, billboards, ads, signs and much more into something that is unique. Importantly, seeing other students' work made me understand that people sometimes see things I barely notice which was a great turning point to the things I view. Overall, I am very glad I participated I this event."
AUK participants included: Fatima Al-Sughayer, Dalal Marafie, Sepideh Behbehani, Lamia Al-Salahi, Farideh Moradi, Reem Al-Huwaidi and Maha Ali.
The conference and the workshop theme was "Visual Pollution in the Arab World," and explored the notion of social activism and how design can reinforce awareness in our communities.
At the workshop, students conceptualized and created a prototype highlighting the contributing factor in visual pollution such as: signage, shop logos, packaging, supermarket layout, environmental issues, etc. By the end of the second day, students ended up with creative ideas related to the theme "visual pollution." Their solutions tapped the notion of awareness.
One of the AUK students, Sepideh Behebehiai, said of the experience: "In the two-day workshop Tarek taught the students the most important thing any artist or designer could teach and that is how to sustain creativity during the creative process, and that to be able to have a dialogue about the process can help students express their ideas and guide them accordingly. This was a really great experience for me to attend this workshop and meet him."
Another AUK student, Dalal Marafie, said: "The Nuqat experience was very fascinating for me because it made me think of things from another perspective. By another perspective I mean looking at things from a detailed way rather than an overview or a general way. Additionally, I'd never heard of something called visual pollution; however, this term made me think twice of my work. It was very challenging to turn all the bad typography, billboards, ads, signs and much more into something that is unique. Importantly, seeing other students' work made me understand that people sometimes see things I barely notice which was a great turning point to the things I view. Overall, I am very glad I participated I this event."
AUK participants included: Fatima Al-Sughayer, Dalal Marafie, Sepideh Behbehani, Lamia Al-Salahi, Farideh Moradi, Reem Al-Huwaidi and Maha Ali.
Fatima Al-Sughayer - Ezaaj - Visual Pollution
Sepideh Behbehani
Reem Al-Huwaidi - Let's live in a colorful environment
Dalal Marafi + Farideh Moradi + Maha Ali
