The iconic main building of AUK, showcasing its elegant modern architecture and welcoming entryway.

News

19, Feb 2008
Lecture by Clifford Chanin
Addressing the Goals and Challenges of Higher Education in the Gulf

Clifford Chanin, President of the Legacy Project in the United States, returns to the American University of Kuwait to present a lecture on "Goals and Challenges of Higher Education in the Gulf."

To an audience of students, academics and staff of AUK, Chanin described the issue of Higher Education as being widely seen as "the way in which societies can master the training of young people, creation of quality jobs, and the integration into the global economy." 

Chanin referred to two recently published front-page articles in the New York Times about the development of higher educational options in the Gulf region to show that American Liberal Arts education in the Gulf is rising to public attention in the United States and the West and further that it's a model of education that continues to be a model that people around the world are looking to.

Some of the challenges he presented, with references to a World Bank Study titled "The Road Not Travelled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa" are that there is currently a "youth bulge" that is creating social and economical problems because there are too many university graduates and not enough quality jobs. 

Another significant challenge shown by the World Bank study, he said, was that nearly 80% of GCC nationals are employed in the public sector. 

Furthermore, Chanin emphasized the importance of thinking about the phenomenon of higher education in the Gulf in relation to elsewhere in the Middle East, in light of the particular circumstances of the Gulf countries- higher incomes, lower population- which have the potential of solidifying a higher education model that stimulates exchange and supports development with the larger Middle East and North Africa region.
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the president of the AUK welcomes AUK guests and Mr. Clifford Chanin
  

Dr. Marjorie Kelly, Assistant Professor of Anthropology introduces Dr.Marina Tolmacheva
  

An audience of students, academics and staff of AUK attended the lecture
View More
Lecture by Clifford Chanin
17, Feb 2008
AUK Recognized as 'Superbrand'

The American University of Kuwait has been awarded as one of the Superbrands in Kuwait for 2008.

Superbrands is an organization based in the United Kingdom that promotes the discipline of branding and pays tribute to exceptional brands in over 40 countries. The organization grants 'Superbrand' status to companies whose brand recognition is considered exceptional in the market. A Middle East headquarters of the organization has been established in Dubai, with a representative agency in Kuwait. 

According to the organization "Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers consumers significant emotional and/or tangible advantages over its competitors which consumers want to recognize."

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 Selection Committee's own perceptions of AUK.

This is first time that Superbrands takes place in Kuwait, and AUK was selected and qualified as one of strongest brands in Kuwait. No other educational institution in Kuwait was awarded.
View More
AUK Recognized as 'Superbrand'
Showing 10 Articles of 1482
11, Feb 2008
AUK Hosts Workshop for English Teachers in Kuwait
Teaching English through Songs

The American University of Kuwait yesterday hosted Johnette Downing, an eight-time National Children's Award winning singer-songwriter who incorporates music into teaching the English language to children.

The free workshop on "Building Language Skills through Music" was hosted by AUK's Center for Continuing Education, and offered for free to English educators based in Kuwait. 
Downing showed teachers how to incorporate props such as musical instruments, games and toys to effectively teach a language, a method built on the fact that children learn better and faster when music is incorporated and when learning is made fun and interactive.
 
The workshop was made possible by a cooperation between AUK's Center for Continuing Education and the American Embassy of Kuwait. 

Downing heads to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain next, to share her techniques with educators there.

Johnette Downing, an eight-time National Children's Award winning singer-songwriter
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the President of the American University of Kuwait
 

Tunisia Owens from the American Embassy presents Miss Downing
AUK Hosts Workshop for English Teachers in Kuwait
03, Feb 2008
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sponsors AUK Students to Attend Harvard Conference
Today the three founders of the student organization, Model United Nations at the American University of Kuwait (MUNAUK) met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah at his office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Faculty Advisor Shareefa Al-Adwani, President Fahad Mohammed, and Vice President Fahad Al-Tukhaim of MUNAUK thanked the Foreign Minister for his generous sponsorship of MUNAUK's attendance at the Harvard model United Nations Conference.

Six AUK students and two faculty advisors will be going to Boston, Massachusetts, USA on February 11 - 19 to participate in one of the largest international Model United Nations events. The Minister wished the students the best of luck and hoped that the students will represent their country with honor.
 

The founders of Model United Nations organization at the American University of Kuwait (MUNAUK) met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sponsors AUK Students to Attend Harvard Conference
31, Jan 2008
First Senior Graphic Design Portfolio Student Showcase
A Tremendous Success for Senior Graphic Design Students

Last week, a coordinated project between Dahlia Mahmoud and her upper-level Graphic Design students culminated in a great success. The students were provided with a press conference on January 24th, followed by the opening of the exhibition of their work on January 25th.

Press coverage was provided throughout, and professionals, namely directors and creative executives of local design firms, were in attendance for an opportunity to recruit AUK talent. 

The exhibiting students were responsible for producing a full portfolio upholding international design standards, over the course of one semester. 

"The portfolios exhibited showed creative interpretations of typography, digital imagery and multi-media solutions all applied within a practical and industrious context," explained Mahmoud.

The exhibiting students were:
Abdalla Abdelrahman
Diana Al-Hassibi
Nawar Al-Kazemi
Rawan Al-Nafisi
Athba Al-Nusif
Yousef Al-Tukhaim
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Adel El-Assaad

Images from the official opening of the exhibition
 

First Senior Graphic Design Portfolio Student Showcase
27, Jan 2008
2007-2008 Fulbright Fellows
During the 2007-2008 Academic Year, the American University of Kuwait (AUK) will host four Fulbright fellows: two Fulbright Scholars, one Fulbright Senior Specialist, and one Fulbright Student.

The Gulf Studies Center is host to the Fulbright fellows affiliated with the American University of Kuwait, providing administrative and research support during the entirety of their residence in Kuwait. The Fulbright fellows in turn enrich AUK's intellectual and community life with their academic expertise and international perspective.

The Fulbright program is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, and university teaching worldwide. The program was established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress to "enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries."

The Fulbright Program awarded approximately six thousand grants in 2006, at a cost of more than $235 million, to U.S. students, teachers, professionals, and scholars to study, teach, lecture, and conduct research in more than 150 countries, and to their foreign counterparts to engage in similar activities in the United States.

AUK's resident Fulbright fellows for the 2007-2008 academic year:

Scholars

Dr. Abbas Benmamoun


 

Dr. Benmamoun is chair of the Linguistics department at the University of Illinois-Urbana and a renowned scholar in the field of Arabic linguistics. During his Fulbright fellowship in Kuwait, Dr. Benmamoun conducted extensive research on the Kuwaiti dialect of Arabic in collaboration with the Linguistics department at Kuwait University. At the American University of Kuwait, Dr. Benmamoun created and taught a new course entitled "English and Globalization," examining the influence of the English language on cultures and languages around the world. 

Dr. Amal Mahmoud



Dr. Amal Mahmoud is an ESL/EFL/Linguistics professor with more than thirty years experience in teaching graduate and undergraduate classes. He is currently an ESL Instructor at Highline Community College in Des Moines, Washington. Dr. Mahmoud received his PhD in Applied Linguistics at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and his MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the American University in Cairo. During his Fulbright grant at AUK, Dr. Mahmoud will be drawing on his broad expertise in the field of ESL to teach courses in the University's Intensive English Program. 

Senior Specialist

Prof. Peter Spielmann


 

Prof. Spielmann is currently editor of the North America Desk at the Associated Press, having spent more than twenty years with the Associated Press covering domestic and international stories. His body of work includes reporting on the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, and the Gulf War. Prof. Spielmann has also served as adjunct professor of journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism for over a decade, supervising graduate students and teaching courses in the field of International Journalism. During his time at AUK, Prof. Spielmann will be teaching a course on International Journalism to journalism and international studies students, in addition to advising the Media and Communications Program on enhancing its journalism curriculum.

Student

Ms. Lindsey Stephenson


 

Ms. Stephenson is a recent graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A in Political Science and a B.I.S in Middle Eastern Studies. During her undergraduate career she completed a year abroad in Jordan studying Arabic and also participated in the annual National Council on US-Arab Relations trip to Kuwait in 2005. Her Fulbright research topic is the "Evolution of Political Gatherings in Kuwait," in which she will be examining the relationship between the individual citizen and the Parliament via the diwaniya. She is particularly interested in civil society in the Arab World and plans to pursue a PhD in Political Science following her Fulbright fellowship.
2007-2008 Fulbright Fellows
17, Jan 2008
President's & Dean's Honor Ceremony
The President's and Dean's Honor Ceremony took place on January 15 in the AUK Auditorium, which was filled with students and proud parents. The President of AUK, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, commended and awarded the Dean's List students for their academic excellence.

President's List recipients are exemplary students who maintain a grade point average of 4.0. 19 students made the President's Honor Roll for this Spring 2007 semester. Dean's List recipients are exemplary students who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. 185 students made the Dean's List.

The American University of Kuwait is a liberal arts institution, based on the American model of higher education. It is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, self awareness, and personal growth experiences that can enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and respect for diversity. AUK seeks to create leaders and life-long learners who aspire to the highest standards of moral and ethical responsibility in their societies. 

President's Honor Roll

Adla Al-Madahka
Bushra Zaher
Dalal Al-Sabah
Dina El-Zohairy
Fahad Mohammad
Fahed Al-Rafidi
Farah Al-Shamali
Hadi Sarieddine
Haya Al-Qassar
Heba Rashwan
Mustafa Husain
Nadia Karam
Nuha Al-Fadli
Rana Emera
Razan Sharaf
Rowena Al-Mutawa
Sally Saleh
Sara Zakhari
Shaha Al-Obaid

Dean's list

Abdalla AbdelRahman
Abdelrahman Abuzaid
Abdulaziz Al-Mossalem
Abdulla AlMulaifi
Abdulla Taki
Abdulla Al-Shanfa
Abdullah Al-Far
Abdullatif Al-Eisa
Abdulmohsen Al-Hashem
Abdulrahman Al-Farra
Abdulrahman Al-Failakawi
Abrar Al-Baqsami
Achoud Kyoumjian
Adla Al-Madahka
Ahmad Adi
Ahmad Al-Enezi
Ahmed Dimachkie
Ala'a Ali-Reda
Ala'a Al-Habib
Ali Abdulsalam
Ali Al-Tukhaim
Alia Al-Khaled
Alissar Shaanin
Amal Tawakuli
Amani Abdul-Rahman
Amina Al-Kazemi
Amna Akbar
Amro Sarhan
Anfal Al-Rashed
Balques Al-Radwan
Bedour Hamadah
Bibi Al-Ahmed
Bushra Zaher
Dalal Al-Hendi
Dalal Al-Sabah
Dalal Al-Mukaimi
Dalia Al-Mahmood
Dana Al-Sarraf
Dana Al-Madani
Dana Abdal
Daniya Alam
Dina El-Zohairy
Dua'a Mansour
Emad Salamah
Engy Abbas
Esraa Al-Shammari
Faek Al-Syriani
Fahad Mohammad
Fahad Al-Tukhaim
Fahad Al-Kharafi
Fahed Al-Dawey
Fahed Al-Rafidi
Farah Al-Mekhled
Farah Al-Shamali
Fares Fares
Faten Al-Kadiri
Fatima Buhaimed
Fatma Al-Fadhli
Fatmah Al-Qadfan
Firas Kanawati
Ghada Al-AbdulAaly
Hadeel Al-Tunaib
Hadi Sarieddine
Hana Ibrahim
Hanan Al-Yousef
Haya AlSharhan
Haya Al-Qassar
Heba Gabr
Heba Rashwan
Hind Al-Terkait
Hind Nassar
Husham Hindi
Hussa Al-Refaie
Hussa Al-Khaldi
Hussain Taha
Hussein Nour-Elddine
Hussien Jumah
Ibrahim Qaddoura
Iman Anjum
Iman Zariwala
Jackleen Shaanin
Jasmine Al-Jabi
Jawaher Ali-Redha
Jenan Al-Wazzan
Kawthar Jamal
Kawther Sadeq
Khadija Ahmed
Khaled Al-Hashem
Khaled Ibrahim
Khalid Al-Shammaa
Kheiriyeh Ahmadi
Lama Kablaoui
Latifa Benessa
Layal Ashkanani
Leen Taha
Mada Hammoud
Maha Fathi
Manal Zeidan
Marahib Al-Sabah
Mariam Al-Rayes
Mariam Mairza
Maya Abou-Ismail
Mays Naser
Mazyad Al-Masoud
Mirae Hanna
Mohamed Gad
Mohammed Baker
Mohammed Dabash
Mohammed Fares
Mohammed Al-Zuhair
Mohammed Fakher
Munira Al-Anjari
Mustafa Husain
Nada Al-Yahya
Nadeen Nour-Elddine
Nadia Al-Jazzaf
Nadia Al-Fadhli
Nadia Karam
Naima Al-Humaidhi
Naji Dimachkie
Naser Quortom
Naser Al-Shatti
Nivine Al-Ayash
Nizar Mashal
Noaf Hussien
Noha Abdallah
Noora Al-Ibrahim
Nora Al-Refaie
Norah Al-Hilaly
Noufa Al-Sabah
Noura Al-Aleiwi
Noura Al-Baijan
Noura Al-Shaya
Nuha Al-Fadli
Nur Soliman
Omar Al-Haider
Rami Abdulsalam
Rana Al-Najjar
Rana Emera
Rasha Al-Najjar
Rawan Al-Muzaini
Razan Sharaf
Reem Al-Rashi
Reem Shuhaibar
Reem Aloush
Reham Ibrahim
Robert Mchardy
Rowena Al-Mutawa
Sabikah Al-Ayyoubi
Sally Saleh
Sandra Hamchaoui
Sandra Aoun
Sara Zakhari
Sara Al-Ajmi
Sarah Al-Mulla
Sarah Boodai
Sarah Al-Qabandi
Sarah Al-Mejreb
Shadi Ibrahim
Shaha Al-Obaid
Shahad Shihab
Shaikha Al-Khaldi
Shaima Al-Obaid
Shaza Abdelazim
Shereen Shaheen
Sherif Mohammed
Sherif Abdelhalim
Sherry Fayek
Shoug Al-Khatrash
Suheil Taye'a
Tahani Al-Soomali
Taiba Al-Zaabi
Taiba Al-Refai
Talal Sorour
Tarek Al-Nafisi
Tareq Al-Rifaai
Tuleen Mahroussah
Violla Bader
Wael El-Ahmady
Wenayyan Al-Wenayyan
Yassmine Al-Rashdan
Yousef Al-Tukhaim
Youssif Al-Raqqas
Zakaria Al-Ansari
Zeina Al-Shatti

A group photograph of the students during the ceremony with Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, the president of the American University of Kuwait

President's & Dean's Honor Ceremony
11, Jul 2007
AUK signs agreement with LoYAC on Summer Internship Program

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LoYAC) have signed an agreement whereby AUK will grant internship credits to AUK students employed by the LoYAC Summer Program. AUK will grant 3 internship credits for a part-time workload of 120 hours, while full-time internships will earn 4 internship credits.

The agreement was signed by President of AUK, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva, and Vice Chairperson & Managing Director of LoYAC, Mrs. Fareah Al-Saqqaf.

President Tolmacheva stated that the university is proud to work with LoYAC, especially within its flagship Summer Program, which has an excellent reputation for its consistent growth and success.

Mrs. Al-Saqqaf thanked AUK for their trust in the Summer Program, which is now in its 6th year running. She hoped that all other universities would follow suit in actively encouraging students to spend their free time in a productive way.

The American University of Kuwait is a liberal arts institution based on the American model of higher education. It is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, self-awareness, and personal growth experiences that can enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and respect for diversity. AUK seeks to create leaders and life-long learners who aspire to the highest standards of moral and ethical responsibility in their societies.

The College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait offers Degree programs in Social & Behavioral Sciences, International Studies, Media & Communication, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, Graphic Design, English Language and Economics.
 

AUK signs agreement with LoYAC on Summer Internship Program
10, Jul 2007
BP Sponsors AUK business students for the Young Adventurers Program

BP sponsored a group of three AUK students for the Young Adventurers Program held in Dibba, UAE. The trip was part of the experiential learning for an Entre preneurship course students were taking at the Business & Economics Division of AUK. The course is structured around students setting up and managing a real for-profit entrepreneurial venture.

Picture shows AUK students Zaid Al-Rajan (Standing second from left), Salem Al-Jandal (Standing right) and Bader Al-Ajeel(sitting right) with other university students from Kuwait.
 

BP Sponsors AUK business students for the Young Adventurers Program
10, Jul 2007
Global Investment House Sponsors a Field Trip

Global Investment House sponsored a group of American University of Kuwait business students taking a Financial Markets and Institutions course to attend the World Islamic Capital Markets Conference in Bahrain. The trip also included a visit to financial institutions in Dubai. The conference provided an opportunity for students to explore developments in the area of Islamic Banking and Finance, which has been growing at a phenomenal rate of 30% per year. The students also interacted with many academics and professionals in the field during the conference.

In Dubai students visited the Dubai International Finance Center, Hawkamah - The Institute for Corporate Governance, Mashreq Bank and the Dubai Islamic Bank. One of the objectives of the visit was to expose students to the real financial world, meet professionals and develop confidence in their abilities.

Business students need to be exposed to the real financial world as it greatly adds value to their understanding of theory. The field of finance can provide for a challenging, satisfying and financially rewarding career to some of the students who might get motivated to join this field. Picture shows students with officers from the Dubai International Financial Center.
 

Global Investment House Sponsors a Field Trip
© American University of Kuwait Terms of Service Privacy Statement