News
12, Feb 2020
CGS at AUK presents a Lecture on GCC Countries’ Dreams and Realities
The Center for Gulf Studies at the American University of Kuwait began the Spring semester with a lecture by His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Bishara on “GCC Countries’ Dreams and Realities” on Wednesday 5 February 2020. Ambassador Bishara has worked in the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over thirty years, serving as Kuwait’s permanent representative to the United Nations, the chairman of the United Nations Security Council, the first secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and a current member of AUK’s Board of Trustees. The talk was attended by over one hundred members of the AUK community, including AUK President Rawda Awwad and Mr. Faisal Al-Ayyar, Vice Chairman of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) KIPCO, and member of the AUK Board of Trustees.
Ambassador Bishara recalled the beginnings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the genuine hope and discourse shared by the founding leaders. He noted that one shared dream between the founders was diversification away from oil, but pragmatically, the economic shift had been and is currently facing obstacles. He also noted that there was discussion of a shared framework for security for years, but that bilateral, state-to-state alliances and partnerships had been and were being pursued. He suggested that one reason for this pursuit had been the increase of what he termed “tribal nationalism,” and emphasized the need to multilateral unity among GCC members.
In his call for unity, Ambassador Bishara reminded the audience of the strategic importance of the GCC to Kuwaiti diplomacy particularly during the 1990 Gulf War and throughout history. He also explained the importance of GCC unity for enhancing stability in the Middle East region and for pragmatic, economic, and political interaction with the rest of the world. He ended with a call to all, from GCC youth to GCC decision makers, to keep up the dialogue domestically and regionally, and underscored that there should be no fatigue in this pursuit.
Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani, Director of the CGS, stated, “His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Bishara has been and continues to be an influential figure in our region’s shared history. His talk tonight underlined the continuously important role of the GCC for Kuwait, for the region, and for the larger Arab world. He emphasized the criticality of member state reinvigoration and genuine discussion in order to take future GCC dreams and turn them into GCC realities. The Center for Gulf Studies extends its appreciation to the Ambassador for this reflective and thought-provoking talk and for his frank conversation with the community during the formal exchange and informal dialogue.”
His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Bishara earned a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from St. John’s University. After retiring from the MoFA, Ambassador Bishara continued his involvement with politics and diplomacy in formal and informal capacities. He has also written multiple books, including Kuwait’s Diplomacy Wars, writes weekly for AlQabas, and has contributed several articles on politics and Economics in English-language periodicals.
About the Center for Gulf Studies:
The Center for Gulf Studies is a research center under the College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait. The center aims to promote greater cultural understanding of and increased intellectual interest in the Gulf, by facilitating free and open academic discourse on a range of issues that both shape and challenge this critical region of the world. Their goal is to enable scholars as well as political and civil society actors both within and outside the region to contribute and add value to the burgeoning field of Gulf Studies. To this end, the center seeks to encourage, support, and cultivate interesting and original research on the Gulf, and to create an environment in which AUK students and faculty can interact and collaborate with researchers and activists from around the world in creative and engaging ways.
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Ambassador Bishara recalled the beginnings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the genuine hope and discourse shared by the founding leaders. He noted that one shared dream between the founders was diversification away from oil, but pragmatically, the economic shift had been and is currently facing obstacles. He also noted that there was discussion of a shared framework for security for years, but that bilateral, state-to-state alliances and partnerships had been and were being pursued. He suggested that one reason for this pursuit had been the increase of what he termed “tribal nationalism,” and emphasized the need to multilateral unity among GCC members.
In his call for unity, Ambassador Bishara reminded the audience of the strategic importance of the GCC to Kuwaiti diplomacy particularly during the 1990 Gulf War and throughout history. He also explained the importance of GCC unity for enhancing stability in the Middle East region and for pragmatic, economic, and political interaction with the rest of the world. He ended with a call to all, from GCC youth to GCC decision makers, to keep up the dialogue domestically and regionally, and underscored that there should be no fatigue in this pursuit.
Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani, Director of the CGS, stated, “His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Bishara has been and continues to be an influential figure in our region’s shared history. His talk tonight underlined the continuously important role of the GCC for Kuwait, for the region, and for the larger Arab world. He emphasized the criticality of member state reinvigoration and genuine discussion in order to take future GCC dreams and turn them into GCC realities. The Center for Gulf Studies extends its appreciation to the Ambassador for this reflective and thought-provoking talk and for his frank conversation with the community during the formal exchange and informal dialogue.”
His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Bishara earned a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from St. John’s University. After retiring from the MoFA, Ambassador Bishara continued his involvement with politics and diplomacy in formal and informal capacities. He has also written multiple books, including Kuwait’s Diplomacy Wars, writes weekly for AlQabas, and has contributed several articles on politics and Economics in English-language periodicals.
About the Center for Gulf Studies:
The Center for Gulf Studies is a research center under the College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait. The center aims to promote greater cultural understanding of and increased intellectual interest in the Gulf, by facilitating free and open academic discourse on a range of issues that both shape and challenge this critical region of the world. Their goal is to enable scholars as well as political and civil society actors both within and outside the region to contribute and add value to the burgeoning field of Gulf Studies. To this end, the center seeks to encourage, support, and cultivate interesting and original research on the Gulf, and to create an environment in which AUK students and faculty can interact and collaborate with researchers and activists from around the world in creative and engaging ways.
H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Bishara presenting his lecture at AUK
10, Feb 2020
AUK Library launches Oral History and Documentation Project in collaboration with KIPCO
The Library of the American University of Kuwait (AUK) launched the Oral History and Documentation Project (OHDP), in collaboration with KIPCO – the Kuwait Projects Company (Holding).
The project, an initiative by AUK’s Center for Gulf Studies led by its former Director Dr Farah Al Nakib, made public its first set of life history interviews with pioneers in Kuwait to mark the launch of the project.
The project was established to actively conduct oral histories on a wide range of topics and themes in order to document the experiences of generations of Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. The launching of the OHDP website marks the culmination of a four-year collaboration between AUK and KIPCO, which has supported the project since the early stages of planning.
The aim of the project is to develop a substantial archive of recorded interviews that will serve as a valuable resource to researchers, students and the general public.
Ms Asma Al Kanan, University Librarian at AUK said:
“It is not uncommon for libraries to nurture such projects. Libraries have always been places where content is created, shared and preserved for generations to come. We are very proud to launch the Oral History Project in Kuwait and make it available to the public through the latest technology of audio recording and archiving. All of this would not have been possible without the strong support of KIPCO and the university administration, as well as the dedication of the project team led by our project manager, Ms Reem Al Ali.”
Ms. Eman Al Awadhi, Group Communications Director at KIPCO said:
“KIPCO is delighted to be supporting this important AUK initiative, the Oral History and Documentation Project. As we all work together to realize the vision of the future of Kuwait, we must look to lessons learnt from the past. Here rests the importance of preserving the voices, memories and experiences of the many men and women who have made significant contributions to shape this nation.”
The OHDP is currently focused on recording the life histories of those born before the 1960s. The recorded interviews explore the memories of individuals who experienced the drastic shift in Kuwait’s society with the advent of oil, as well as their experiences of major historical events such as the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
The OHDP interviews can be accessed through the OHDP website: http://oralhistory.auk.edu.kw/
About KIPCO:
The KIPCO Group is one of the biggest holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa, with consolidated assets of US$ 32 billion as at 30 September 2019. The Group has significant ownership interests in over 60 companies operating across 24 countries. The group’s main business sectors are financial services, media, real estate, manufacturing and education.
Further information:
Eman Al Awadhi
Group Communications Director
KIPCO Corporate Communications Department
T: +965 2294 3416
M: +965 6033 6399
Eman.Alawadhi@kipco.com
Nahla El Helbawi
Communications Coordinator
AUK PR & Marketing Department
T: +965 1802040 ext. 3023
nalhalbawi@auk.edu.kw
Images from the event
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03, Feb 2020
AACD Holds Annual Senior Launch Event
The Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), Division of Student Affairs held its annual Senior Launch event to celebrate students who have achieved ‘senior’ class standing and are one step closer to graduating. Held in the campus’ recreational area, 213 students were called on stage where they received their alumni t-shirts, marking their spot as members of the class of 2020.
Among the event’s activities were the start of the official graduation countdown, live music by alumna Farah Bishara, and restaurants brought by Bilbayt.com—a platform owned by alumna Latifa Ben Eisa. AACD Director, Abir Tannir commented on keeping a connection with the students, “Seniors are ready to earn their degrees and become AUK alumni. For us, this is the time where graduating seniors start their endless journey with the Alumni Affairs and Career Development Office.”
The event’s atmosphere brought the campus community together in celebration of academic achievement and the upcoming graduation ceremony; English major Lara Jadayel described her journey leading up to this moment, “We all waited anxiously to become seniors. We all rushed our freshman, sophomore, and junior years convinced that life awaits us after graduation. We all wanted to leave. Senior Launch, however, made us want to remain AUK students forever.”
General photos of the event
Among the event’s activities were the start of the official graduation countdown, live music by alumna Farah Bishara, and restaurants brought by Bilbayt.com—a platform owned by alumna Latifa Ben Eisa. AACD Director, Abir Tannir commented on keeping a connection with the students, “Seniors are ready to earn their degrees and become AUK alumni. For us, this is the time where graduating seniors start their endless journey with the Alumni Affairs and Career Development Office.”
The event’s atmosphere brought the campus community together in celebration of academic achievement and the upcoming graduation ceremony; English major Lara Jadayel described her journey leading up to this moment, “We all waited anxiously to become seniors. We all rushed our freshman, sophomore, and junior years convinced that life awaits us after graduation. We all wanted to leave. Senior Launch, however, made us want to remain AUK students forever.”
General photos of the event
29, Jan 2020
AUK Celebrates Language Arts Festival
AUK hosted the Real English Arts for Language and Life (REALL) Language Arts Festival—a festival that showcases English skills while celebrating student talent in the performing and visual arts. The festival featured original plays, poetry, storytelling, and artwork, which were performed by AUK students as well as students from various local schools across two separate days at the university’s auditorium.
AUK’s Intensive English Program students opened the event with a performance to the AUK community audience. The second performance was a collaboration between AUK’s Admissions Department, Intensive English Program, and Graphic Design Department who assisted with the IEP art gallery. It featured performances and audiences from the following government and private schools: American United School, Canadian Bilingual School, Danah Universal School of Kuwait, and the US State Department’s Access Jahra.
The organizer of the event, Ms. Alison Larkin Koushki, IEP Senior Instructor commented, “We recognize the important opportunity this festival provides its participants as English teaching experts advise us to involve students in projects in which they experience the language. Learning through drama and the arts projects does just that.”
One of the student performers, Zaina Alaa from the Canadian Bilingual School, enjoyed participating, saying, “While we were performing, we were learning many things such as how to act and how to pronounce words, but at the same time we had a great time rehearsing and performing. Learning can be done in a fun way.”
Click on the Image to view the Photo Gallery
AUK’s Intensive English Program students opened the event with a performance to the AUK community audience. The second performance was a collaboration between AUK’s Admissions Department, Intensive English Program, and Graphic Design Department who assisted with the IEP art gallery. It featured performances and audiences from the following government and private schools: American United School, Canadian Bilingual School, Danah Universal School of Kuwait, and the US State Department’s Access Jahra.
The organizer of the event, Ms. Alison Larkin Koushki, IEP Senior Instructor commented, “We recognize the important opportunity this festival provides its participants as English teaching experts advise us to involve students in projects in which they experience the language. Learning through drama and the arts projects does just that.”
One of the student performers, Zaina Alaa from the Canadian Bilingual School, enjoyed participating, saying, “While we were performing, we were learning many things such as how to act and how to pronounce words, but at the same time we had a great time rehearsing and performing. Learning can be done in a fun way.”
Click on the Image to view the Photo Gallery
29, Jan 2020
AUK Holds Flag Hoisting Ceremony
The AUK campus community came together for a flag hoisting ceremony in honor of the start of the month of February which includes Kuwait’s national and liberation days, and to mark His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s 14th anniversary as the country’s ruler.
The event was hosted by the Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs and included the recitation of the national anthem and flag-hoisting at the campus’ outdoor garden.
The event was hosted by the Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs and included the recitation of the national anthem and flag-hoisting at the campus’ outdoor garden.
General photos of the flag-hoisting ceremony
29, Jan 2020
AUK Starts Spring Semester with New Students Orientation and Welcome Week Activities
AUK welcomed the spring 2020 semester with a successful new student orientation event followed by welcome week activities for all students.
The orientation was held at the University auditorium where students were welcomed by AUK President Dr. Rawda Awwad and the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar who introduced the students to the dynamic environment on campus that involves both academic and co-curricular activities and events.
Commenting on the new student orientation and welcome week, Dr. Muzaffar said, “New student orientation is a vital step in setting a student on the path to holistic success. At AUK, we are committed to helping students prepare for this experience by ensuring that both our first-year students and transfer students feel welcomed into the AUK community and that they join AUK with ease. It is equally important to welcome our returning students to a new semester with a fresh and positive start, and our welcome week activities are chosen and carried out with that goal in mind. We wish all new and returning students the best of luck at AUK and a fruitful spring semester.”
Part of the new student orientation were informational sessions as well as ice-breaker activities that helped ease nerves and jumpstart friendships. Following the orientation, the students were broken up into smaller groups and taken on a campus tour led by AUK Peer Mentors who have been assigned to guide them through their first few weeks at university.
The start of the spring semester’s welcome week saw a series of festivities such as an outdoor barbeque, sports competitions between staff & students, a cookies decoration challenge, and movie night in the recreational area, in addition to an involvement fair where students familiarized themselves with all the clubs and organizations that they could join on campus.
The orientation was held at the University auditorium where students were welcomed by AUK President Dr. Rawda Awwad and the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar who introduced the students to the dynamic environment on campus that involves both academic and co-curricular activities and events.
Commenting on the new student orientation and welcome week, Dr. Muzaffar said, “New student orientation is a vital step in setting a student on the path to holistic success. At AUK, we are committed to helping students prepare for this experience by ensuring that both our first-year students and transfer students feel welcomed into the AUK community and that they join AUK with ease. It is equally important to welcome our returning students to a new semester with a fresh and positive start, and our welcome week activities are chosen and carried out with that goal in mind. We wish all new and returning students the best of luck at AUK and a fruitful spring semester.”
Part of the new student orientation were informational sessions as well as ice-breaker activities that helped ease nerves and jumpstart friendships. Following the orientation, the students were broken up into smaller groups and taken on a campus tour led by AUK Peer Mentors who have been assigned to guide them through their first few weeks at university.
The start of the spring semester’s welcome week saw a series of festivities such as an outdoor barbeque, sports competitions between staff & students, a cookies decoration challenge, and movie night in the recreational area, in addition to an involvement fair where students familiarized themselves with all the clubs and organizations that they could join on campus.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad giving her opening remarks at the orientation
Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar addressing the students at the orientation
A group of new students during their tour of the campus
A group of new students during their tour of the campus
Students participating in an ice-breaker activity
19, Jan 2020
AUK Hosts Filmmaker George Azar
The Department of Communication & Media and the Department of Art & Graphic Design at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) hosted photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, Mr. George Azar for a public lecture on campus in collaboration with Nuqat.
In his talk, Mr. Azar spoke about the craft of visual journalism in conflict zones, the power of narrative reporting and the representation of the Arab world in Western media. He used examples from his career in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking which took him from being a student at UC Berkeley studying Middle Eastern politics, to the Lebanese Civil War, Palestinian Intifada, and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza. While reflecting on his experiences, he highlighted the significant role of still photographs at a time of 4k and streaming videos. He said, “I realized that despite its limitations, the still photograph retains the unique power to crystallize a moment, an event and a time in history.”
He shared advice with the attendees for pursuing a similar career path, including being proactive, finding a subject that one is passionate about, and being patient in the process.
AUK Assistant Professor of graphic design, Clark Stoeckley stated, “George’s stories and photos were quite emotionally moving and inspiring. His advice about the field of documentary photography and filmmaking was beneficial and informative for anyone with a camera in their phone. I particularly related to his suggestion to create work about things you love or the things you hate.”
George Azar is an award-winning Arab-American photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. Born in South Philadelphia, he won honors at U.C. Berkeley before embarking on a journalism career in war-torn Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan as a contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times, the Independent, The Boston Globe, as well as Al-Jazeera English and Al-Jazeera Arabic. George is the author of Palestine a Photographic Journey, (University of California and Oxford University Press) and photographer of Palestine A Guide, (Interlink), and director of the acclaimed films ‘Gaza Fixer’, ‘Two Schools in Nablus’, ‘Donor Opium’, and ‘Free Running Gaza’. George’s latest film the autobiographical, ‘Beirut Photographer’, premiered on Al-Jazeera Arabic in September 2013.
In his talk, Mr. Azar spoke about the craft of visual journalism in conflict zones, the power of narrative reporting and the representation of the Arab world in Western media. He used examples from his career in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking which took him from being a student at UC Berkeley studying Middle Eastern politics, to the Lebanese Civil War, Palestinian Intifada, and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza. While reflecting on his experiences, he highlighted the significant role of still photographs at a time of 4k and streaming videos. He said, “I realized that despite its limitations, the still photograph retains the unique power to crystallize a moment, an event and a time in history.”
He shared advice with the attendees for pursuing a similar career path, including being proactive, finding a subject that one is passionate about, and being patient in the process.
AUK Assistant Professor of graphic design, Clark Stoeckley stated, “George’s stories and photos were quite emotionally moving and inspiring. His advice about the field of documentary photography and filmmaking was beneficial and informative for anyone with a camera in their phone. I particularly related to his suggestion to create work about things you love or the things you hate.”
George Azar is an award-winning Arab-American photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. Born in South Philadelphia, he won honors at U.C. Berkeley before embarking on a journalism career in war-torn Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan as a contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times, the Independent, The Boston Globe, as well as Al-Jazeera English and Al-Jazeera Arabic. George is the author of Palestine a Photographic Journey, (University of California and Oxford University Press) and photographer of Palestine A Guide, (Interlink), and director of the acclaimed films ‘Gaza Fixer’, ‘Two Schools in Nablus’, ‘Donor Opium’, and ‘Free Running Gaza’. George’s latest film the autobiographical, ‘Beirut Photographer’, premiered on Al-Jazeera Arabic in September 2013.
George Azar during his lecture
General photo of the lecture
Group photo of George Azar with the event organizers
15, Jan 2020
AUK Professor Dr. Ahmad Meiloud Delivers Keynote Speech at Sofia University
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the introduction of Arabic Studies as a separate program at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, AUK Assistant Professor of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Dr. Ahmad Meiloud was invited to deliver the keynote academic speech on “The Role of Arabic Language and Culture in the Modern World”.
The speech was delivered on the 18th of December, 2019 which was also the World Arabic Language Day, and brought together the university’s faculty, students, as well as ambassadors of the Arab states and other diplomats, representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affaris, journalists, and others.
Dr. Meiloud was also interviewed and featured in the Bulgarian national television channel.
The speech was delivered on the 18th of December, 2019 which was also the World Arabic Language Day, and brought together the university’s faculty, students, as well as ambassadors of the Arab states and other diplomats, representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affaris, journalists, and others.
Dr. Meiloud was also interviewed and featured in the Bulgarian national television channel.
Dr. Meiloud during his interview for the Bulgarian national television
General photo of the event where Dr. Meiloud gave his speech
15, Jan 2020
CGS Awards Gulf Studies Certificate
The American University of Kuwait’s Center for Gulf Studies (CGS) has awarded a Gulf Studies Certificate to Ms. Delaney Marshall, an AUK-Dartmouth exchange student. The AUK-Dartmouth program (founded in 2003) established the academic student exchange program in the summer of 2019. This is the first time a Dartmouth student has earned a Gulf Studies Certificate. Ms. Marshall, a junior at Dartmouth, is a double-major in Middle Eastern studies and government. The CGS director, Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani affirmed, “The courses complemented her double-major and the exchange enriched the university experience for all.”
Dr. Al-Adwani continued, “Delaney’s contributions in our Kuwait Foreign Policy class have always been thoughtful, her approach to the material meticulous, and her overall class performance outstanding. We are all so proud of Delaney, and I look forward to the continued success of this program.”
Ms. Marshall successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits and earned the requisite cumulative GPA in Gulf Studies-related course this fall 2019 semester. Her courses included Arabic Basic Language Skills, Arab and Islamic Art, and History and Politics of Kuwait, and Kuwait Foreign Policy. Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi, Professor of History and International Relations and the instructor of the History and Politics of Kuwait class, reported that Ms. Marshall was “a diligent and serious student.”
Ms. Marshall commented on her experience, “I appreciate the opportunity to be able to immerse myself in the academic aspects and cultural arenas of the Gulf. My experience has been great and I hope to return to Kuwait one day.”
To learn more about the Gulf Studies Certificate program, visit: https://www.auk.edu.kw/cgs/certificate_gulf_studies.html
Dr. Al-Adwani continued, “Delaney’s contributions in our Kuwait Foreign Policy class have always been thoughtful, her approach to the material meticulous, and her overall class performance outstanding. We are all so proud of Delaney, and I look forward to the continued success of this program.”
Ms. Marshall successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits and earned the requisite cumulative GPA in Gulf Studies-related course this fall 2019 semester. Her courses included Arabic Basic Language Skills, Arab and Islamic Art, and History and Politics of Kuwait, and Kuwait Foreign Policy. Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi, Professor of History and International Relations and the instructor of the History and Politics of Kuwait class, reported that Ms. Marshall was “a diligent and serious student.”
Ms. Marshall commented on her experience, “I appreciate the opportunity to be able to immerse myself in the academic aspects and cultural arenas of the Gulf. My experience has been great and I hope to return to Kuwait one day.”
To learn more about the Gulf Studies Certificate program, visit: https://www.auk.edu.kw/cgs/certificate_gulf_studies.html
Delaney Marshall receiving her certificate from Dr. Ali Charara, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani, Director of the Center for Gulf Studies
14, Jan 2020
AUK Hosts Deputy Chief of the Spanish Embassy
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) hosted Mr. Guillermo Rebollo Diez, the Deputy Chief of the Spanish Embassy in Kuwait for a lecture to the AUK community covering the DELE examination.
In his talk, Mr. Rebollo Diez introduced the attendees to the Spanish cultural heritage, including its widely spoken language. He introduced the students to the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), which is issued by the Spanish Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and its six levels from A1-C2 to signify proficiency level. This certification system falls within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)—an international standard for describing language ability.
Mr. Rebollo Diez encouraged the students to pursue this certificate due to its international and lifetime recognition of language proficiency. During his Q&A session, he encouraged the students to be brave and put their language into practice to overcome the challenges of learning a new language.
Professor Claudia Mejia, Spanish instructor at the Department of Arabic and Foreign Languages at AUK and a certified Spanish examiner was encouraged by the attendance. She commented, “There is a growing interest in Spain and Latin America at AUK; events like this motivate students to immerse in the language and culture of Ibero-America. The next step is to organize field trips and study abroad opportunities so students can experience the real benefits of learning a language.”
In his talk, Mr. Rebollo Diez introduced the attendees to the Spanish cultural heritage, including its widely spoken language. He introduced the students to the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), which is issued by the Spanish Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and its six levels from A1-C2 to signify proficiency level. This certification system falls within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)—an international standard for describing language ability.
Mr. Rebollo Diez encouraged the students to pursue this certificate due to its international and lifetime recognition of language proficiency. During his Q&A session, he encouraged the students to be brave and put their language into practice to overcome the challenges of learning a new language.
Professor Claudia Mejia, Spanish instructor at the Department of Arabic and Foreign Languages at AUK and a certified Spanish examiner was encouraged by the attendance. She commented, “There is a growing interest in Spain and Latin America at AUK; events like this motivate students to immerse in the language and culture of Ibero-America. The next step is to organize field trips and study abroad opportunities so students can experience the real benefits of learning a language.”
Mr. Guillermo Rebollo Diez during his lecture
General photo of the lecture
