News
27, May 2010
AUK 2010 Annual Dinner
The American University of Kuwait held its Annual Dinner on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the Shaikha Salwa Ballroom organized by the Human Resources Department. The dinner recognized employees who have completed five years of service to the institution, and HR Director Mrs. Bonita Perry recognized the crucial role all departments play in the continuous success of AUK.
The event commenced with a welcoming note from Gretta Al Sawah, HR Generalist Recruitment & Administration followed by an introduction by Mr. Ernest Conklin, Executive Director of Finance and Administration which was followed by a speech from AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. Three AUK employees were specifically recognized for their outstanding contributions, IEP Director Margaret Combs, Coordinator of the Writing Center, Dr. James McDougall and English Program Lead Dr. Kathryn Kleypas.
Eighteen employees were awarded for five years of service:
Fatema Hayat - Senior Coordinator - Campus Life
Theodore Kruse - Assistant Dean - Student Affairs
Roland Lopes - Web Developer - PR & Marketing
Juliet Dinkha - Associate Professor of Psychology - Social Sciences
Nizar Hamzeh - Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Kathryn Kleypas - Assistant Professor of English - Humanities & Arts
Charles Mitchell - Instructor in Journalism - Humanities & Arts
Ralph Palliam - Associate Professor of Business - Business & Economics
Derek Parks - Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Mary Queen - Assistant Professor of English - Humanities & Arts
Hesham Al Awadi - Associate Professor of History & IR - Social Sciences
Kimberly Al Suffi - Senior Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Marjorie Kelly - Assistant Professor of Anthropology - Social Sciences
Abolghassem Alavinejad - Director - Campus Services
Sameera Al Qenna - Assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Joseph Fiannaca - Instructor in French Language - Humanities & Arts
Mutlaq Al Mutairi - Assistant Professor of Mathematics - Sciences & Engineering
Stephen Jacques - Senior Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Following the awards, guests and awardees were treated to dinner and entertainment including a raffle draw. Winners received gifts from the following vendors: Al Dawliah electronics, Digits, AUK Bookstore, Istikbal for furniture, Quality net, Couture Cut Salon & Spa, Kapico travels.
This event would not have been possible without the efforts of the HR Department, namely Bonita Perry, Director of Human Resources, Lama Abdo, Gretta Al-Sawah, Abdulhussein Zuhairy, Hugh Lauxley, Faten Al Qadiri, Mishaal Hamdo and Norma Badran.
The event commenced with a welcoming note from Gretta Al Sawah, HR Generalist Recruitment & Administration followed by an introduction by Mr. Ernest Conklin, Executive Director of Finance and Administration which was followed by a speech from AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. Three AUK employees were specifically recognized for their outstanding contributions, IEP Director Margaret Combs, Coordinator of the Writing Center, Dr. James McDougall and English Program Lead Dr. Kathryn Kleypas.
Eighteen employees were awarded for five years of service:
Fatema Hayat - Senior Coordinator - Campus Life
Theodore Kruse - Assistant Dean - Student Affairs
Roland Lopes - Web Developer - PR & Marketing
Juliet Dinkha - Associate Professor of Psychology - Social Sciences
Nizar Hamzeh - Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Kathryn Kleypas - Assistant Professor of English - Humanities & Arts
Charles Mitchell - Instructor in Journalism - Humanities & Arts
Ralph Palliam - Associate Professor of Business - Business & Economics
Derek Parks - Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Mary Queen - Assistant Professor of English - Humanities & Arts
Hesham Al Awadi - Associate Professor of History & IR - Social Sciences
Kimberly Al Suffi - Senior Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Marjorie Kelly - Assistant Professor of Anthropology - Social Sciences
Abolghassem Alavinejad - Director - Campus Services
Sameera Al Qenna - Assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Joseph Fiannaca - Instructor in French Language - Humanities & Arts
Mutlaq Al Mutairi - Assistant Professor of Mathematics - Sciences & Engineering
Stephen Jacques - Senior Instructor IEP - Intensive English
Following the awards, guests and awardees were treated to dinner and entertainment including a raffle draw. Winners received gifts from the following vendors: Al Dawliah electronics, Digits, AUK Bookstore, Istikbal for furniture, Quality net, Couture Cut Salon & Spa, Kapico travels.
This event would not have been possible without the efforts of the HR Department, namely Bonita Perry, Director of Human Resources, Lama Abdo, Gretta Al-Sawah, Abdulhussein Zuhairy, Hugh Lauxley, Faten Al Qadiri, Mishaal Hamdo and Norma Badran.
AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan
A collective photo of the employees who were awarded for five years of service
Images from the dinner
26, May 2010
Art and Design Field Trip to London
The American University of Kuwait's Graphic Design, Environmental Design, and Modern Art History professors Marcella Kulchitsky and Sharon Lawrence arranged a week-long academic field trip to London during spring break 2010. The purpose of the trip was to attend a design conference on combining Arabic and English typography, as well as to expose students to master artists, historical sites, and conduct a critical analysis of way-finding and signage systems.
Professors Kulchitsky and Lawrence arranged a lecture and workshop with Mourad Boutros from Pulse House design firm, a master designer, type designer and author of several books on typography.
The series of lectures was designed by Mourad Boutrous, and introduced the young designers to the world of design in different areas. The conference focused on Arabic calligraphy, typography and design. Speakers included Dave Farey who presented on the use of 'Type Families' and how they relate to each other with their benefit for graphic designers and typographers. George Kandalaft, another guest speaker, introduced Arabic Web-Typography. Well-known British artist Robin Hazelwood presented his paintings and discussed his inspiration and the process of creativity in his work, as well as in the work of artists and designers in general. He is currently working on a project with Mourad Boutrous combining his painting and Boutros' calligraphy, and students were treated to an unveiling of the work. Boutros discussed the stages of development of Arabic typography throughout the ages and its relation to the communications world of today. One of this own landmark typeface designs; "Tanseek" was introduced to the students. It is particularly important, since it has been designed to keep the space occupied by Arabic typography equivalent to the Latin; consequently, it is the first and only harmonious range of Arabic-Latin /serif and sans serif/ typefaces yet designed to serve the needs of today's creative industry.
Photographer Anthony Dawton was the last speaker of the conference, and he verified the importance of typography in photography. His presentation included the history of the use of photography with type, and he issued an invitation to typographers and graphic designers to collaborate with him in order to produce images that combine typography with his photography, synergistically producing a whole that is greater than the parts.
Besides the Pulse House lecture series students also visited Holmes Wood, another well-known design studio in London, specializing in environmental design. Alexandra Wood, one of the partners in the firm, and her designers had a discussion session with the students and treated them to a tour of the studio, sharing some of the firm's work-in-progress.
Along with the graphic and environmental design lectures and discussions, the students experienced artwork in real life that they had only seen in books before. At the Royal Academy of Art, for the popular exhibition, "Vincent Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters", where the artist's sketches, letters and paintings were on display.
Students also visited The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, where they saw famous works of art such as Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, Raphael's The Madonna of the Pinks and paintings by Rubens, Monet, Seurat and many others from the 13th Century.
A day trip to Stonehenge was arranged ad the group stopped at Windsor Castle to view the design and detail of the artwork and the castle itself. The last destination on the day trip was Bath, where the group visited the 2000 year-old Roman Baths.
In the evenings, the professors took another approach to the Arts and included three expeditions to London's legendary theater district. Les Miserables , The Lion King, Stomp. Local transportation during the trip was partially sponsored by Al-Soor Financial Consultants.
The AUK students' visit to Pulse House was featured on the following link in Boutrous's webpage. http://www.arabicfonts.com/edu_det.asp?art_id=1
Professors Kulchitsky and Lawrence arranged a lecture and workshop with Mourad Boutros from Pulse House design firm, a master designer, type designer and author of several books on typography.
The series of lectures was designed by Mourad Boutrous, and introduced the young designers to the world of design in different areas. The conference focused on Arabic calligraphy, typography and design. Speakers included Dave Farey who presented on the use of 'Type Families' and how they relate to each other with their benefit for graphic designers and typographers. George Kandalaft, another guest speaker, introduced Arabic Web-Typography. Well-known British artist Robin Hazelwood presented his paintings and discussed his inspiration and the process of creativity in his work, as well as in the work of artists and designers in general. He is currently working on a project with Mourad Boutrous combining his painting and Boutros' calligraphy, and students were treated to an unveiling of the work. Boutros discussed the stages of development of Arabic typography throughout the ages and its relation to the communications world of today. One of this own landmark typeface designs; "Tanseek" was introduced to the students. It is particularly important, since it has been designed to keep the space occupied by Arabic typography equivalent to the Latin; consequently, it is the first and only harmonious range of Arabic-Latin /serif and sans serif/ typefaces yet designed to serve the needs of today's creative industry.
Photographer Anthony Dawton was the last speaker of the conference, and he verified the importance of typography in photography. His presentation included the history of the use of photography with type, and he issued an invitation to typographers and graphic designers to collaborate with him in order to produce images that combine typography with his photography, synergistically producing a whole that is greater than the parts.
Besides the Pulse House lecture series students also visited Holmes Wood, another well-known design studio in London, specializing in environmental design. Alexandra Wood, one of the partners in the firm, and her designers had a discussion session with the students and treated them to a tour of the studio, sharing some of the firm's work-in-progress.
Along with the graphic and environmental design lectures and discussions, the students experienced artwork in real life that they had only seen in books before. At the Royal Academy of Art, for the popular exhibition, "Vincent Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters", where the artist's sketches, letters and paintings were on display.
Students also visited The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, where they saw famous works of art such as Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, Raphael's The Madonna of the Pinks and paintings by Rubens, Monet, Seurat and many others from the 13th Century.
A day trip to Stonehenge was arranged ad the group stopped at Windsor Castle to view the design and detail of the artwork and the castle itself. The last destination on the day trip was Bath, where the group visited the 2000 year-old Roman Baths.
In the evenings, the professors took another approach to the Arts and included three expeditions to London's legendary theater district. Les Miserables , The Lion King, Stomp. Local transportation during the trip was partially sponsored by Al-Soor Financial Consultants.
The AUK students' visit to Pulse House was featured on the following link in Boutrous's webpage. http://www.arabicfonts.com/edu_det.asp?art_id=1
Images from the trip
ART & GDES London travel group lead by Professors Sharon Lawrence and Marcella Kulchitsky photographed at Stonehenge, one of the cultural stops during the trip
Suad and Dalal problem solving during the workshop
Faisal admires environmental design work at the Holmes Wood Studio during a tour of the firms office in London
Aljahara investigates the signage system in London
Arabic Typographer, author and illustrator, Mourad Boutros
Lecture series led by Arabic Typographer, Mourad Boutros
Rana tries applying Letraset letters during the workshop
Working out typography issues with Mourad Boutros
Traveling by the Underground in London was a new experience for some of the students
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26, May 2010
AUK holds 6th Annual Awards Night
The American University of Kuwait held its 6th Annual Awards Night on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 at 7 pm in the AUK Auditorium. The Ceremony commenced with a welcome note from AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan followed by a night of awards for AUK staff, faculty and students. Each division/department awarded their most worthy student employee in an effort to recognize their hard work and the Student Government Association in return awarded faculty and staff for their support.
The Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott said of the ceremony, "AUK Student Awards night celebrates the engagement of students in activities outside the classroom. Activities such as student media, athletics, curriculum related organizations, service clubs and leadership bring the university experience to life. Involvement compels our students to push the boundaries of excellence, academically and in extra-curricular activities. We want our students to be better prepared to serve the competitive, global society and awards night is where we highlight their achievements of the academic year."
The highlights of the evening were the Dean of Student Affair's Award, the Founders' Award and the President's Award. The recipients of these awards are students who have shown exceptional academic achievement and involvement in activities outside of the classroom among other criteria.
Dean of Student Affair's Award: Omar Mehdi
Founders' Award: Nizar Mashal, Nur Soliman
President's Award: Nur Soliman
Categories and Recipients:
Student Employee Awards
Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Mariam Chebli, Nourin Tajani
Division of Sciences & Engineering: Salman Al-Saffar
Division of Social Sciences: Ali Atesh
Division of Humanities and Arts: Fatma Al Fadhli, Perihan Al-Tanani
Division of Business and Economics: Sara Al-Rifai
Writing Center: Fatima Ibraheem, Nur Soliman, Sara Juma
Gulf Studies Center: Majdoline Halawy
Intensive English Program: Samih Damerji, Samantha Combs, Lamiya Baz
Arabian Heritage Project: Nora Al-Khuder
Library: Ahmed Dimachkie
Office of the Dean of Student Affairs: Hiba Bazzi, Nada Bedir
Office of Admissions:
Admissions: Dana Banddar, Fatma Mohamad
Registrar: Rasha Al-Jabi
Student Success Center: Laila Al-Daghestani, Mohammed Arif, Batul Tarawala, Yousef Ali, Rania Shaker, Talal Al-Yaseen, Mohammad Al-Sulaiman, Shahed Al-Wadani
Student Life: Shahed Al-Wadani, Omar Mehdi
Outstanding Athlete: Omar Mehdi
IEP Academic Achievement Award
Bashaier Al-Mesbah
Ahmad Al-Refai
Khaled Radwan
University Service Award
Jawdat Khalaf
Mustapha Abou-Houeili
Omar Mehdi
Salma Tayeh
Sandra Aoun
Shahed Al-Wadani
SGA Student Body Awards
Innovative Lecturer Award: Dr. Mourad Dakhli
Most Supportive Faculty Award: Dr. Mohsen Bagnied
Most Supportive Staff Award: Hala Al Abdulrazzaq
Faculty Mentorship Award: Dr. Simon O'Meara
Staff Mentorship Award: Basema Da'na
Most Humorous Faculty Award: Dr. Charles Chiemeke
Most Humorous Staff Award: Munawar Mullaji
Student Life Awards
Organization Member of the Year: Mubarak AlMutairi
Advisor of the Year: Dr. Aly Mansour, Dr. Amir Zeid
Program of the Year: ACM AUK Technology Fair
Organization of the Year: Al-Akhdar Environmental Club:
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Fajer Al-Qanai
The Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott said of the ceremony, "AUK Student Awards night celebrates the engagement of students in activities outside the classroom. Activities such as student media, athletics, curriculum related organizations, service clubs and leadership bring the university experience to life. Involvement compels our students to push the boundaries of excellence, academically and in extra-curricular activities. We want our students to be better prepared to serve the competitive, global society and awards night is where we highlight their achievements of the academic year."
The highlights of the evening were the Dean of Student Affair's Award, the Founders' Award and the President's Award. The recipients of these awards are students who have shown exceptional academic achievement and involvement in activities outside of the classroom among other criteria.
Dean of Student Affair's Award: Omar Mehdi
Founders' Award: Nizar Mashal, Nur Soliman
President's Award: Nur Soliman
Categories and Recipients:
Student Employee Awards
Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Mariam Chebli, Nourin Tajani
Division of Sciences & Engineering: Salman Al-Saffar
Division of Social Sciences: Ali Atesh
Division of Humanities and Arts: Fatma Al Fadhli, Perihan Al-Tanani
Division of Business and Economics: Sara Al-Rifai
Writing Center: Fatima Ibraheem, Nur Soliman, Sara Juma
Gulf Studies Center: Majdoline Halawy
Intensive English Program: Samih Damerji, Samantha Combs, Lamiya Baz
Arabian Heritage Project: Nora Al-Khuder
Library: Ahmed Dimachkie
Office of the Dean of Student Affairs: Hiba Bazzi, Nada Bedir
Office of Admissions:
Admissions: Dana Banddar, Fatma Mohamad
Registrar: Rasha Al-Jabi
Student Success Center: Laila Al-Daghestani, Mohammed Arif, Batul Tarawala, Yousef Ali, Rania Shaker, Talal Al-Yaseen, Mohammad Al-Sulaiman, Shahed Al-Wadani
Student Life: Shahed Al-Wadani, Omar Mehdi
Outstanding Athlete: Omar Mehdi
IEP Academic Achievement Award
Bashaier Al-Mesbah
Ahmad Al-Refai
Khaled Radwan
University Service Award
Jawdat Khalaf
Mustapha Abou-Houeili
Omar Mehdi
Salma Tayeh
Sandra Aoun
Shahed Al-Wadani
SGA Student Body Awards
Innovative Lecturer Award: Dr. Mourad Dakhli
Most Supportive Faculty Award: Dr. Mohsen Bagnied
Most Supportive Staff Award: Hala Al Abdulrazzaq
Faculty Mentorship Award: Dr. Simon O'Meara
Staff Mentorship Award: Basema Da'na
Most Humorous Faculty Award: Dr. Charles Chiemeke
Most Humorous Staff Award: Munawar Mullaji
Student Life Awards
Organization Member of the Year: Mubarak AlMutairi
Advisor of the Year: Dr. Aly Mansour, Dr. Amir Zeid
Program of the Year: ACM AUK Technology Fair
Organization of the Year: Al-Akhdar Environmental Club:
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Fajer Al-Qanai
Images from the event
Omar Mehdi receives the Dean of Student Affair's Award
Nizar Mashal Receives the Founders' Award
Nur Soliman receives the President's Award
A collctive photo of the students who received the Student Employee Award
Samantha Combs receives the Student Employee Award - The Intensive English Program
Ahmad Al-Refai receives the IEP Academic Achievement Award
Shahed Al-Wadani receives the University Service Award
Hala Al Abdulrazzaq receives the Most Supportive Staff Award
Dr. Aly Mansour receives the Advisor of the Year Award
Dr. Amir Zeid receives the Advisor of the Year Award
23, May 2010
AUK Successfully Stages Waiting For Godot
The American University of Kuwait Theatre Program performed Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot at the Black Box Studio four nights running from May 19-22 with sell-out crowds three of the four nights. The all male cast, comprised of AUK students, did an excellent job with what is considered to be one of the most revered yet challenging plays of our modern time.
A tragic-comedy set nowhere and everywhere, Waiting for Godot, is a thought provoking commentary on the human condition. Seen through the eyes of two characters whose lives are spent waiting, the audience is forced to share these characters' unease and alarm at the condition they find themselves in. In true existentialist fashion, the play questions everything at the heart of human existence. Director of the play and AUK Professor Christopher Gottschalk describes the essence of the play soundly in his director's note saying, "Whether or not one chooses to view [Beckett's] work as warnings of literal foreboding destruction brought on by the atomic age or as metaphors for our timeless human penchant for self-annihilation, it is clear that his characters embody the ever present question all humans tend to ask themselves sooner or later, 'why am I here?'".
Lead actors Yousef Nayef (Estragon) and Hisham Najem (Vladimir) did a great job in engaging their audience making them laugh at times and other times portraying the confusion and restlessness that is central to human thought. The cast of Waiting for Godot also includes Zaid Al-Kazemi as Pozzo, Abdulaziz Al-Hagan as Lucky and Nader Abdullah as the boy.
A tragic-comedy set nowhere and everywhere, Waiting for Godot, is a thought provoking commentary on the human condition. Seen through the eyes of two characters whose lives are spent waiting, the audience is forced to share these characters' unease and alarm at the condition they find themselves in. In true existentialist fashion, the play questions everything at the heart of human existence. Director of the play and AUK Professor Christopher Gottschalk describes the essence of the play soundly in his director's note saying, "Whether or not one chooses to view [Beckett's] work as warnings of literal foreboding destruction brought on by the atomic age or as metaphors for our timeless human penchant for self-annihilation, it is clear that his characters embody the ever present question all humans tend to ask themselves sooner or later, 'why am I here?'".
Lead actors Yousef Nayef (Estragon) and Hisham Najem (Vladimir) did a great job in engaging their audience making them laugh at times and other times portraying the confusion and restlessness that is central to human thought. The cast of Waiting for Godot also includes Zaid Al-Kazemi as Pozzo, Abdulaziz Al-Hagan as Lucky and Nader Abdullah as the boy.
The cast of the play with Director and AUK Professor Christopher Gottschalk
Images from the play
20, May 2010
Dartmouth-AUK Music Recital: An International Celebration of Talent
The Music Program at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Dartmouth College, one of the premiere Ivy League universities in the USA, presented a collaborative music recital on Sunday May 16 in the AUK Auditorium. Advanced student musicians from both distinguished institutions, accompanied by faculty, performed vocal and instrumental solo and chamber works, demonstrating the great potential for continued cultural collaboration between AUK and Dartmouth.
Encouraged by the success of the inaugural Dartmouth-AUK recital last fall, this concert featured a variety of stellar vocal and instrumental ensemble pieces. Faisal Al-Bahairi, AUK student and the recent winner of the Gulf International Chopin Competition, opened the concert with his award-winning Chopin Ballade Op. 38 and the challenging Liszt Transcendental Etude #7. Ali Atesh's Italian vocal aria and Sara Soliman's Bach sonata for flute continued to set the tone for a quality evening. One of the instrumental highlights was Salem Al-Mathkour's vibrant violin performance of "Czardas," that received great applause. The second half of the concert featured opera as Nicholas Knezek (bass) and Larry Bowman (tenor) from Dartmouth College joined with AUK students and professionals, Anna Karadimintrova, Elena Tsenkova, Dragan Markovic, and Agnieszka Fajga in a rousing musical celebration of Mozart and Bizet, whose "Carmen" ended the evening with a standing ovation.
For more information on the AUK Music Program, please contact Dr. Lisa Urkevich, lurkevich@auk.edu.kw
Encouraged by the success of the inaugural Dartmouth-AUK recital last fall, this concert featured a variety of stellar vocal and instrumental ensemble pieces. Faisal Al-Bahairi, AUK student and the recent winner of the Gulf International Chopin Competition, opened the concert with his award-winning Chopin Ballade Op. 38 and the challenging Liszt Transcendental Etude #7. Ali Atesh's Italian vocal aria and Sara Soliman's Bach sonata for flute continued to set the tone for a quality evening. One of the instrumental highlights was Salem Al-Mathkour's vibrant violin performance of "Czardas," that received great applause. The second half of the concert featured opera as Nicholas Knezek (bass) and Larry Bowman (tenor) from Dartmouth College joined with AUK students and professionals, Anna Karadimintrova, Elena Tsenkova, Dragan Markovic, and Agnieszka Fajga in a rousing musical celebration of Mozart and Bizet, whose "Carmen" ended the evening with a standing ovation.
For more information on the AUK Music Program, please contact Dr. Lisa Urkevich, lurkevich@auk.edu.kw
Dr. Dale Eickelman, Coordinator AUK-Dartmouth Project
Dr. Lisa Urkevich, Music Program Director
Faisal Al-Bahairi
Ali Atesh
Salem Al-Mathkour
Anna Karadimitrova, Elena Tsenkova, and Nicholas Knezek, a Dartmouth Intern
Anna Karadimitrova, Larry Bowman, Ali Atesh, Nicholas Knezek, Sara Soliman, Dragan Markovic, Agnieszka Fajga
Back Row, from left: Faisal Al-Bahairi; President Tim Sulivan; Dr. Elena Tsenkova; Anna Karadimitrova; Dean Nizar Hamzeh, Dr. Lisa Urkevich, Music Program Director; Dean Carol Ross; Larry Bowman, Dartmouth intern; Nicholas Knezek, Dartmouth intern
Front Row, from left: Dr. Dale Eickelman, Coordinator AUK-Dartmouth Project; Salem Al-Mathkour; Ali Atesh; Sara Soliman; Agnieszka Fajga; Dragan Markovic; Rehab El-Bahey
Front Row, from left: Dr. Dale Eickelman, Coordinator AUK-Dartmouth Project; Salem Al-Mathkour; Ali Atesh; Sara Soliman; Agnieszka Fajga; Dragan Markovic; Rehab El-Bahey
19, May 2010
AUK Commends Exemplary Student Achievements
In celebration of AUK students' academic achievements, a ceremony was held at the Liberal Arts Auditorium where recipients of the President's Honor Roll and Dean's list shared their joy with faculty, staff and parents.
An unprecedented 306 students were awarded by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh for being on the Dean's List, which requires students to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The President's Honor Roll saw 39 recipients awarded by AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. These exemplary students must maintain a 4.0 GPA to be eligible for this honor.
This year's awards saw a new addition whereby each Division within the College of Arts and Sciences awards a student in recognition of their Outstanding Academic Achievement.
Division of Humanities and Arts: Nuha Al-Fadli
Division of Sciences and Engineering: Salman Al-Saffar
Division of Business and Economics: Jida Cheikh Amin
Division of Social Sciences: Walah Al Sabah
The Al-Akhdar Environmental Club was recognized for promoting environmental awareness. The Club has been promoting environmental lectures and awareness on-campus, as well as, trying to cooperate and coordinate efforts with other environmental clubs on other campuses in Kuwait. The Drama Club was also awarded for their Performance of "Blind" - original play by Yousef Nayef. The English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta was hailed for winning the Regent's Common Reader Award. Two of AUK's students were also recognized for winning 1st and 3rd place in The United Nations Human Settlements Program Writing Competition- "Cities, Climate, Change and Youth", 1st Place went to Shaha Bader Al-Munaif and 3rd Place to Nasser Sharaf Al-Ajmi. Shaha was invited to Rio de Janeiro from March 19-20, 2010 as a guest of the United Nations to attend the United Nations World Urban Youth Assembly.
Another achievement that was recognized was the historic victory of three female Kuwaiti students, Mariam Al-Najdi, Aisha Al-Ruwaished and Abrar Amin, who won first place in the 2010 Microsoft Gulf Imagine Cup, the first Kuwaiti team ever to win first place. AUK will now represent the State of Kuwait and advance to the 2010 Microsoft World Imagine Cup finals to be held in Warsaw Poland, July 3-8 and compete for the grand prize of $25,000. AUKMUN were also award winners at the Bahrain Universities Model United Nations Conference through AUK students Abdulaziz Al Mutawa, Sarah Al Rifaai, Uros Lukic, Adyan Qasem, Majdoline Halawy, Yousef Al Kandari, Amna Ibraheem, Abdullah Al Qatami, Muhannad Darwish.
Click here to view a Full List of Dean's List as well as President's Honor Roll
An unprecedented 306 students were awarded by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh for being on the Dean's List, which requires students to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The President's Honor Roll saw 39 recipients awarded by AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan. These exemplary students must maintain a 4.0 GPA to be eligible for this honor.
This year's awards saw a new addition whereby each Division within the College of Arts and Sciences awards a student in recognition of their Outstanding Academic Achievement.
Division of Humanities and Arts: Nuha Al-Fadli
Division of Sciences and Engineering: Salman Al-Saffar
Division of Business and Economics: Jida Cheikh Amin
Division of Social Sciences: Walah Al Sabah
The Al-Akhdar Environmental Club was recognized for promoting environmental awareness. The Club has been promoting environmental lectures and awareness on-campus, as well as, trying to cooperate and coordinate efforts with other environmental clubs on other campuses in Kuwait. The Drama Club was also awarded for their Performance of "Blind" - original play by Yousef Nayef. The English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta was hailed for winning the Regent's Common Reader Award. Two of AUK's students were also recognized for winning 1st and 3rd place in The United Nations Human Settlements Program Writing Competition- "Cities, Climate, Change and Youth", 1st Place went to Shaha Bader Al-Munaif and 3rd Place to Nasser Sharaf Al-Ajmi. Shaha was invited to Rio de Janeiro from March 19-20, 2010 as a guest of the United Nations to attend the United Nations World Urban Youth Assembly.
Another achievement that was recognized was the historic victory of three female Kuwaiti students, Mariam Al-Najdi, Aisha Al-Ruwaished and Abrar Amin, who won first place in the 2010 Microsoft Gulf Imagine Cup, the first Kuwaiti team ever to win first place. AUK will now represent the State of Kuwait and advance to the 2010 Microsoft World Imagine Cup finals to be held in Warsaw Poland, July 3-8 and compete for the grand prize of $25,000. AUKMUN were also award winners at the Bahrain Universities Model United Nations Conference through AUK students Abdulaziz Al Mutawa, Sarah Al Rifaai, Uros Lukic, Adyan Qasem, Majdoline Halawy, Yousef Al Kandari, Amna Ibraheem, Abdullah Al Qatami, Muhannad Darwish.
Click here to view a Full List of Dean's List as well as President's Honor Roll
AUK Interim President Dr. Tim Sullivan with one of the students on The President's Honor Roll
The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh with one of the students on the Dean's List
A view of the audience
Photos of some of the students who were honored by the AUK division heads
The Al-Akhdar Environmental Club members
Dr. Amir Zeid and the 2010 Microsoft Gulf Imagine Cup winners
18, May 2010
AUK Graphic Design Students Attend Conference in Oman
Professor Maryam Hosseinnia and William Andersen, and five of their graphic design students, traveled to Ibri to take part in the 2nd Annual International Design Conference and Exhibition at the Ibri College of Applied Sciences, Sultanate of Oman from May 1-3, 2010.
Ibri is a 3 and a half hour drive southwest of Muscat with a population of thirty thousand. In the heart of the desert, there is a design program with majors in digital media and print design. This year's conference theme was "Design Identity" and the notion of how identity can at times be seemingly neglected in the process of globalization and modernization.
The paper that Professor Hosseinnia and Andersen presented was based on their experience of creating a collaborative art project that had involved the same five students that traveled with them to Ibri. The students also gave presentations at the conference on their graphic design class projects.
Ibri is a 3 and a half hour drive southwest of Muscat with a population of thirty thousand. In the heart of the desert, there is a design program with majors in digital media and print design. This year's conference theme was "Design Identity" and the notion of how identity can at times be seemingly neglected in the process of globalization and modernization.
The paper that Professor Hosseinnia and Andersen presented was based on their experience of creating a collaborative art project that had involved the same five students that traveled with them to Ibri. The students also gave presentations at the conference on their graphic design class projects.
Left to right: Fatma Al-Qames, Shaza Abdelazim, Dalal Al-Enizi, Rana Emera
Left to right: Professor Hosseinnia, Dalal Al-Enizi, Shaza Abdelazim, IBRI graphic design student, Rana Emera, Lamia Salahi, Fatma Al-Qames
Left to right: Fatma Al-Qames, Dalal Al-Enizi, Shaza Abdelazim, Rana Emera, Professor Andersen, Mr. Mohammad (our driver), Professor Nawal Salah Eldin, Professor Hosseinnia
18, May 2010
The American Corner at AUK: ARAB AMERICANS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
The American University of Kuwait's American Corner held a lecture titled "Arab Americans and Mental Health Issues" on Tuesday, May 11, from 12-1 pm at the AUK Library. Increasing the individuals understanding of the interplay of mental health issues and culture is critical to enhancing one's sense of identity, as well as essential to promoting self growth. The lecture provided students and community members with the opportunity to gain knowledge from two psychologists, Dr. Juliet Dinkha and Dr. Nisrine Aboul Hosson, who are specialized in working with diverse populations.
Dr. Dinkha and Dr. Aboul-Hosson highlighted important aspects in the field of clinical psychology, shedding light on the role of clinical psychologists, the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, and the importance of cultural sensitivity when providing psychotherapy.
The presenters provided an interactive forum for the audience, by inviting them to pose questions and share input.
Dr. Dinkha is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Associate Professor of Psychology at AUK. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, as well as many other international psychological organizations. She earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Aboul-Hosson is an Adjunct faculty at AUK and is a US trained psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association, as well as the Lebanese Psychological Association. She earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University/Florida School of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Dinkha and Dr. Aboul-Hosson highlighted important aspects in the field of clinical psychology, shedding light on the role of clinical psychologists, the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, and the importance of cultural sensitivity when providing psychotherapy.
The presenters provided an interactive forum for the audience, by inviting them to pose questions and share input.
Dr. Dinkha is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Associate Professor of Psychology at AUK. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, as well as many other international psychological organizations. She earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
Dr. Aboul-Hosson is an Adjunct faculty at AUK and is a US trained psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association, as well as the Lebanese Psychological Association. She earned her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University/Florida School of Professional Psychology.
left to right: Dr. Dinkha and Dr. Aboul-Hosson
A view of the Audience who attended the lecture
17, May 2010
Gulf Studies Awards its Third Certificate
Gulf Studies Program Director Dr. Marjorie Kelly presented Robert Donahue, an anthropology major at George Mason University in the U.S., with AUK's Gulf Studies Certificate for completing a minimum of 12 hours of courses on the region. Mr. Donahue is the third recipient of the certificate and has been in Kuwait since last fall. He is the first student to attend AUK through the new AMIDEAST program which brings Americans to the Middle East to improve their Arabic and to learn about Arab history, politics, and culture. He has traveled throughout the region during his year at AUK and accompanied several AUK faculty members this spring on trips to Qatar and Syria.
Gulf Studies Program Director Dr. Marjorie Kelly & Robert Donahue
16, May 2010
AUK Holds 6th Annual Career Fair
Almost 30 local and international companies were present at AUK's 6th Career Fair this past Tuesday, an event put on annually by the Student Success Center, where 400 AUK students and Alumni came to benefit from this opportunity.
Students were strongly encouraged to dress in business attire and bring their CV to present to the lineup of companies which included many of Kuwait's most prestigious establishments. The participating companies set up booths to meet and greet the 400 students and alumni who attended the event held at AUK's auditorium in the Liberal Arts building.
The participating companies include, Gulf Bank as Platinum sponsor, International Financial Advisors and Al-Sayer Group as the Gold sponsor, Kuwait Energy Company, Wataniya Telecom and National Bank of Kuwait as Silver sponsors. Also present, Microsoft , Ernst & Young, Wataniya Airways, AAIM International for Training & Development, KPMG Safi Al-Mutawa & Partners, Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), Kuwait United Company for Advertising, Publishing & Distribution, Grant Thornton- Al-Qatami, Al-Aiban & Partners, Deloitte, Alghanim Industries, Ali Abdulwahab & Sons, TBWA/RAAD/BCOMAD, Unilever Gulf, LoYAC, Al Seef Hospital, Al Bazie & Company, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait (BBK), Hotel Missoni Kuwait, Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP), National Takaful Insurance Co., Hisba Business Solutions, Kuwait Automotive Imports Co.
Students were strongly encouraged to dress in business attire and bring their CV to present to the lineup of companies which included many of Kuwait's most prestigious establishments. The participating companies set up booths to meet and greet the 400 students and alumni who attended the event held at AUK's auditorium in the Liberal Arts building.
The participating companies include, Gulf Bank as Platinum sponsor, International Financial Advisors and Al-Sayer Group as the Gold sponsor, Kuwait Energy Company, Wataniya Telecom and National Bank of Kuwait as Silver sponsors. Also present, Microsoft , Ernst & Young, Wataniya Airways, AAIM International for Training & Development, KPMG Safi Al-Mutawa & Partners, Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK), Kuwait United Company for Advertising, Publishing & Distribution, Grant Thornton- Al-Qatami, Al-Aiban & Partners, Deloitte, Alghanim Industries, Ali Abdulwahab & Sons, TBWA/RAAD/BCOMAD, Unilever Gulf, LoYAC, Al Seef Hospital, Al Bazie & Company, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait (BBK), Hotel Missoni Kuwait, Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP), National Takaful Insurance Co., Hisba Business Solutions, Kuwait Automotive Imports Co.
Gulf Bank representatives with the President of the AUK Dr. Tim Sullivan and the Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross
Images of campanies who sponsored the 6th Annual Career Fair
AUK students met with representatives from different companies that participated in the career fair
