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The Youth Assembly of Kuwait is a pioneering step in promoting youth needs and potential in the country. This platform will be organized and conducted yearly under the auspices of the Youth Public Authority where it will serve as an official channel to deliver concerns and recommendations from youths to relevant decision makers.
Despite the lengthy application process, both persisted in their applications due to their confidence in the potential of this platform in bridging the communication gap. Al-Daihani explained, “I applied to the Youth Assembly to ease the conversation between the government and the youths of Kuwait. This opportunity to be one of the voices that represent the Kuwaiti youths is a great and challenging one. This Assembly is the first of its kind in Kuwait and the problems we have vary.”
In particular, Al-Daihani, who will be representing Farwaniya, plans to focus on education and gender biases; whereas Al-Enezi, who will be representing Jahra, plans to focus on education and youth unemployment. Further, Al-Enezi explained, “I believe in bringing greater care about the youths' abilities and empowering them to utilize those abilities in a creative way that helps them and helps our country. Our youth have many skills that allow for possibilities to excel in different fields.”
Both Al-Enezi and Al-Daihani expressed their gratitude to AUK for preparing them for this role, particularly highlighting support from faculty members, dynamic internship and club opportunities, as well as participations in international conferences, all of which embody the core of the University’s liberal arts approach.
Al-Enezi explains, “AUK has a great faculty, they all paved the way for me to succeed in this role”, adding that they, “taught me about politics and history and spent most of their time empowering me and my fellow classmates to excel!”
Al-Enezi and Al-Daihani will be joining their fellow youth representatives for a month of training under the Youth Public Authority where they will be equipped with the rules and regulations of this assembly and engage with their fellow members.
During the general university faculty & staff meeting, AUK President Rawda Awwad credited the staff and faculty’s hard work as the foundation for all that the University has achieved, as she explains, “Our commitment towards the success of this institution is more than often unflinching and unquestionably solid. And this is not simply mere talk or hearsay: our accreditors think the same in that they have given us a clean bill of health with the understanding that we become sturdier and more effective at what we do with a keen sense of purpose.”
AUK continued with the series of orientations with sessions for newly admitted students. Held at the university auditorium, the students were welcomed by President 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 recreational events.
Addressing the new students, Dr. Muzaffar said, “We extend a very warm welcome to our new students and encourage them to take advantage of all the available resources on campus so they may have a holistic collegiate experience. We look forward to seeing your growth and accomplishments in the coming years.”
Part of the 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 peer mentors who have been assigned to guide them through their first few weeks at university.
The start of the fall semester saw a series of festivities such as an outdoor barbeque, sports competitions, an ice cream social, and an involvement fair where students familiarized themselves with all the clubs and organizations that they could join on campus.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad welcomes new students during the student orientation event
Group photo of AUK freshmen during the orientation
New AUK students touring the university library
Students enjoying the barbecue station during welcome week
Ten students were selected to represent the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and participated under the supervision of Ms. Jasmine Singh, Adjunct Instructor of Graphic Design Department. The projects included three-dimensional sculptures made from polymer clay as well as lighting design using recycled materials.
Participating students are:
Gamila Eid
Mohammed Nimer
Suad Al Khalaf
Nastaran Mohamadi
Nour Al Tukhaim
Retaj Al Khaldi
Joud Ajam Ough
Munirah Al Majdali
Mariam Al Khudhur
Dania Al Marjeh
A display of the projects created by AUK students.
Group photo of the participating students.
A total of seven students participated in this trip—Head Delegate and AUKMUN President, Ali Al-Qallaf; Treasurer, Fares Al-Shamry; Vice President, Ali Al-Khuraibet; Judicial Affairs Committee Chair, Hussain Khashab; Secretary, Nada El Gamal; Events Planning & Coordinating Chair, Layan Al-Ayoubi; and AUKMUN member Ridaab Marzuq. The students were accompanied by their advisor, AUK Professor of Near and Middle Eastern Studies and History, Gholamreza Vatandoust.
Throughout their participation in the MUN conference, the delegates played the role of diplomats and represented different states within the simulation. Each student was tasked to represent the policies of their assigned state in various UN commissions and create a resolution regarding the issue at hand. With high competition, AUK delegates managed to gain two awards—the Judicial Affairs Committee Chair received the Best Delegate Award, and Secretary, Nada El-Gamal received the Honorable Mention Award.
During the second leg of the program, Their Excellencies Counsellor Tareq Al-Shumaimry and Counsellor Ali Al-Thayedi of the Kuwait Embassy in The Hague organized a trip to the Peace Palace. In this visit students were given a briefing on the history of the international court as well as its legal functions, and were given a lecture on court hearings and proceedings. The students also participated in an interactive discussion regarding the ICJ which provided a unique opportunity for students to integrate what they have learned in their law courses into the discussion.
To end the program, the delegation visited the Kuwait Embassy in The Hague where they were warmly received by His Excellency Ambassador Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi. Each delegate then gave a detailed presentation on what they had learned from this experience. Following the presentations, each delegate was given a certificate signed by the Ambassador, thus concluding the program.
(From left) H.E. Counsellor Tareq Al-Shumaimry, Counsellor at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; ; Dr. Gholam Vatandoust, AUKMUN Academic Advisor; H.E. Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ali K. Al-Qallaf, President of AUKMUN
(From left) Layan Al-Ayoubi, Events Planning & Coordinating Committee Chair of AUKMUN; Fares Al-Shamri, Treasurer of AUKMUN; Ali Al-Khuraibet, Vice President of AUKMUN; H.E. Counsellor Tareq Al-Shumaimry, Counsellor at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ali K. Al-Qallaf, President of AUKMUN; H.E. Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Dr. Gholam Vatandoust, AUKMUN Academic Advisor; Hussain Khashab, Judicial Affairs Committee Chair of AUKMUN; Nada El-Gamal, Secretary of AUKMUN; Ridaab Marzuq, AUKMUN member
The graduation was attended by Shaikha Dana Naser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Founder and Chair of AUK's Board of Trustees, Dr. Habib Abul, Secretary General of Private Universities, members of the AUK Board of Trustees, diplomats, dignitaries, and the families and friends of this year's graduates.
Executive Vice President, Ms. Amal Al-Binali welcomed the guests and family members of the graduates to AUK's 14th graduation ceremony and officially inaugurated the event by introducing the traditional processionals of the faculty, graduates, and president’s party.
Following the National Anthem and the Holy Quran recitation, AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad gave an opening speech in which she relayed her confidence in the graduates’ ability to make a positive impact on society. “They have developed an understanding of the value of the liberal arts. Regardless of the degrees they have pursued and the skills they have acquired, this education has sophisticated them into becoming transformative agents,” she said.
Dr. Habib Abul, Secretariat General of the Private Universities Council (PUC) also gave a speech that urged the graduates to continue their journey of learning and exploring in the next phase of their lives, as he explains, “I have no doubt that the knowledge and experience you have gained during your studies will qualify you to start a new professional journey. Success will not come easily, so you must persevere and explore new cultures and creative outlets and continue on a lifelong journey to learn.”
The commencement keynote address was given by the Minister Plenipotentiary, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Americas, Her Excellency, Reem M. Al-Khaled encouraged the graduates to venture into endeavors that would challenge them and benefit others, “Put yourself in other people’s shoes to understand yourselves and them, have big dreams, be brave, share your ideas, have an open mind, embrace cultural diversity, cultivate your minds and souls through art, literature, and music, and do not forget to make time for community service,” she said.
Following the keynote address, the class valedictorian was announced by the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar. The AUK class of 2019 valedictorian is Lolwa Anwar Al-Roshoud who majored in English Literature and earned a GPA of 3.97. During her speech, Lolwa stressed on the utilization of skills and hard work to achieve more goals, “Fellow graduates, this journey was through hard work of connecting smaller pieces to get the bigger picture and enduring through hardships to achieve a certain goal. We must take all the skills we have adopted to the real world. Carry your ambitious mindset, open mind, consideration, patience and leadership to the next level, whether you'll attend grad school or start your career, you have already learned to fit into different communities,” she said.
The event then proceeded to the part of the ceremony most anticipated by the graduates—the distribution of their earned degrees. Upon the recommendations of President Awwad, the college deans conferred upon the graduates their respective degrees. The graduates were then awarded their diplomas by President Awwad, Dean Ali Charara for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dean Ralph Palliam for the College of Business & Economics, and H.E. Reem M. Al-Khaled.
In keeping with the academic tradition, the graduates were requested to shift their tassels from right to left, thereby marking their official graduation from AUK. As the ceremony drew to its conclusion, the graduating class celebrated the occasion and took commemorative photos with their families and friends.
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The ceremony commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Awwad, in which she praised the awardees and congratulated them on their academic achievements. Top achieving students from the different categories were then called to accept their awards from the president and college deans.
33 students were awarded a place on the President's Honor Roll—a high distinction exclusively awarded to those who maintained a 4.0 GPA for the semester, while 134 students were recognized for achieving the Dean's Honor List—a distinction awarded to students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.7. AUK President, Rawda Awwad, along with Dr. Ali Charara, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and Dr. Lee G Caldwell, Associate Dean for Quality Assurance and Accreditation at the College of Business & Economics presented the recipients with their awards.
President’s Honor Roll
Sadeq Taqi
Maryam Kotb
Batool Hasan
Shaymaa Al-Qalaf
Bahja Al-Qaazweeni
Yara Al-Quorashy
Husain AlQudaihi
Lara Jadayel
Noha Mahmoud
Munirah Al-Majdali
Noor Abu Salah
Reham Kablaoui
Naya Kassis
Lolwah AlRoshoud
Noura Bounassif
Dina Al-Sayed
Ali Al-Khuraibet
Reem Qasem
Huseen BuOlayyan
Habiba Anwar
Melissa AbouFarraj
Islam Rezk
Susanna Al-Mufti
Sara Zayed
Sarah Raza
Farah Nabaa
Farah Mobayed
Ghada Al Sahhaf
Nashrah Quraishi
Amal Radhwan
Amer Khosla
Nadia AlAjmi
Nora Al-Bader
Dean’s Honor List-College of Arts and Sciences
Aya Kandil
Nasser Al-Otaibi
Omar Khalil
Amal Singer
Palwasha Shaikh
Khaled Al-Sabah
Hamad Dhaif
Abdulaziz Al-Shammari
Ghadeer Ashkanani
Sara Ayesh
Sharifah AlKhaldi
Marah Al-Kazak
Asmaa Lulu
Pearla Haider
Lelea Abdou
Sarah Behbehani
Abdulazez Karam
Farah Kheder
Khalid Al-Kharafi
Serli Bedirian
Al-Jawhara Al-Sabah
Ghareeb Thiab
Farah Abdullah
Saad Alajmi
Farah Al-Ayoubi
Fay Al-Mazidi
Anwar As'ad
Fatemah Al-Sulaiman
Fatma AlMuhanna
Ali Alfaili
Abdulwahab Al-Musailem
Ayman Kandil
Nosaiba Binnaji
Kaouthar Chebli
Basmah Al-Shami
Hana Nassar
Sedra Al-Tujjar
Noura Allahow
Hawraa Wahid
Ahmad AlAbdeen
Mariam Khalil
Vironika Faragalla
Jumana Khalil
Sarah Al-Ajmi
Abdulaziz Redha
Bashayer Al-Anjeri
Laila Ashkanani
Chloe Ramey
Anwaar Alajmi
Jassim AlGhanim
Ali Mahdi
Madonna Sadek
Shahad Al-Khaldi
Talal Al-Ghunaimi
David Muharib
Stephen Sapp
Ahlam Dashti
Fahad Al-Ibrahim
May Al-Qenaei
Nataly Hamayel
Turki AlAjmi
Zaina AlFadalah
Fawaz Almajed
Faisal Hayat
Nourhan Nour
Malak Hussain
Hussien Hammoud
Rawan Boutaiban
Farah Abu Eid
Lubna Al-Jayyar
Ali Alsarraf
Fadheela Al-Sabah
Deemah AlDawoud
Mohammed Nimer
Mohammad Omar
Aya Abdrabou
Farah Issa
Hala Abou Harb
Ali Abouzeid
Rafah Al-Shohaty
Maya Lawand
Nagam Abu Ghoush
Malak Ahmed
Layan Al Ayoubi
Rawan Behbehani
Aisha Al Saqabi
Dallya Mulla Hwaech
Latifah AlKandari
Rassim Melaab
Ruqayah AlNaqi
Hanna Mansour
Yasmeen AlHasan
Fatima Matook
Rawan Nabaa
Laila Dallol
Habiba Mohamed
Dean’s Honor List-College of Business and Economics
Meshari Al-Baghli
Raghda Zaher
Omar Matar
Farah Al-Shaye
Eman Eldin
Ismail Al-Tahan
Shaikha Al-Hendi
Aisha Al Majed
Arshi Syed
Adel Al-Qallaf
Lynne Ghader
Razan Al Aghbar
Mohammad Alfares
Salwa Al-Enezi
Nazish Quraishi
Nourah Eid
Rawan Abdelrahim
Donia Mohammad
Laila Mohammad
Aisha AlSaqabi
Nour Harb
Dalia Honeine
Rafia Tabaa
Marwa Soliman
Nour Nassar
Urooj Mudassar
Neeshal Rafi
Farhanaz Padpood
Abdulaziz Al-Mayouf
Anas Hasan
Maram Al Turki
Sara El Bab
Lavena Jacob
Nadime Bitar
Bader Al-Majed
Yousef Mustafa
Basil Aboufarraj
Mariana Samir Sadek
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Dr. Fatima Shibly, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Chapter Faculty Adviser started the induction ritual with an overview of the Chapter and the organization. She noted the Honor Society’s belief in the use of knowledge as an impetus for social and economic good. Dr. Shibly pointed out that this distinction was not a gift but rather a result of the students’ hard work and superior scholastic achievement. Dr. Fatima then called the inductees to the stage in order to recite the pledge which officially declares their membership into the society and their dedication to its values.
Following this, the Dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Ralph Palliam, the Associate Dean, Dr. Lee Caldwell and the XI Eta honorary members Dr. Mark Speece and Mr. Rabindranath Bhattacharya delivered the certificates and keys to the inductees.
Group photo of the inductees and CBE professors
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Kuwait Technical College (K-Tech) signed a transfer articulation agreement to facilitate credit transfer between the respective institutions to provide a smooth transition for their students from one related program to another.
The articulation covers a large number of diploma programs from K-TECH that are transferable to AUK’s related undergraduate programs.
“The agreement is based on the evaluative rigor and content of courses” said Rawda Awwad, President of American University of Kuwait. “It provides a level of flexibility for students to pursue their higher education goals.”
Dr. Adel Zerai, President of Kuwait Technical College emphasized the significance of such agreements, “Any steps we can take to facilitate our graduates’ path in the pursue of education will benefit the community at large”, he said.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Vice President for Academic Affairs at K-TECH, Prof. Esam Ismail; K-TECH Chair of Information Systems & Technology Department, Dr. Yousif Al-Ridhawi; AUK Executive Vice President, Ms. Amal AlBinali; AUK Vice President for Student Affairs and Chair of the Transfer Articulation Committee, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUK, Dr. Ali Charara; and the Dean of the College of Business and Economics at AUK, Dr. Ralph Palliam.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Kuwait Technical College President, Adel Zerai signing the agreement
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad and Kuwait Technical College President, Adel Zerai after the signing ceremony
The American University of Kuwait hosted its Annual Dinner at the Palms Beach Hotel and Spa to celebrate the University’s administrative achievements and accomplishments. The event—organized by the University’s Human Resources Department—was attended by staff, faculty, and members of the president’s cabinet.
Held towards the end of each academic year, the AUK Annual Dinner brings together the University management, faculty, and staff members in appreciation of their dedicated services. During the event, 5, 10, and 15 years of service awards were presented respectively to employees who completed the relevant service years at AUK.
Leading up to the dinner, administrative offices competed in the ‘My Inspiring AUK’ contest to submit a creative photograph that represents their work at the University. All the submissions were displayed during the dinner and attendees were required to vote on the best photo. The Campus Services Department were announced the winners of the competition and were awarded a special prize.
A raffle draw was also held during the event with exclusive gifts from Air France, KLM, Boodai Aviation, Burgan Bank, Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait, and Gait-Apple Premiere Reseller. The night also included a special musical performance by the band, Maddah Al-Amar.
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad gave a speech during the dinner where she praised the University’s staff and faculty who, “…have profoundly touched the lives of thousands of students... [and] created a synergy that is hard to beat. And for that, I thank each and every one of you for that single extra mile that you walk every day of the week, month after month, and year after year.”
The list of honored faculty and staff include:
5 Years of Service at AUK:
| Name | Department |
| Dr. Mohammed Al-Sawafta | Department of Maths and Natural Sciences |
| Mohammed Maral | Information Technology |
| Nada Baalbaki | Admissions |
| Nour Jaber | Admissions |
| Omar Mehdi | Office of Student Life |
| Robin Saba | Intensive English Program |
| Sally Saleh | Learning Support Services |
| Agnieszka Fajga | Department of Music and Drama |
10 Years of Service at AUK:
| Name | Department |
| Abed Al-Rahman Al-Mahani | Information Technology |
| Dr. Aly Mansour | Department of Marketing, Management & Economics |
| Dr. Angelica DeAngelis | Department of English |
| Dr. Ayman Haddad | Department or Accounting & Finance |
| Dr. George Irani | Department of International Relations |
| Dr. James Rose | Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Lama Kablaoui | Office of the Executive Vice President |
| Louay Rashid | Admissions |
| Dr. Mohamed Satti | Department of Communication and Media |
| Mohammed Navas | Finance Department |
| Dr. Pellegrino Luciano | Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Ramy Khair | Arts and Graphic Design |
| Dr. Wafaa Sbeiti | Department or Accounting & Finance |
15 Years of Service at AUK:
| Name | Department |
| Ashoor Moussa | Office of Corporate Relations |
| Dr. Athmar Al-Salem | Department of Marketing, Management & Economics |
| Dr. Craig Loomis | Department of English |
| Dr. Ghazi Nassir | Department of English |
| Hana Kouri | Library |
| Hussein Diab | Information Technology |
| Kalimullah Bhuiyan | Campus Services |
| Liaqat Yasin | Campus Services |
| Norma Badran | Office of Corporate Relations |
| Dr. Rawda Awad | Office of the President |
| Dr. Sahreef Abu Al-Maati | Computer Science & Info Systems |
| Syed Rahamthulla | Finance |
| Dr. Ali Charara | Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences |
| Don Prades | Intensive English Program |
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Sheikha Dana recounted her journey in philanthropy as an inspiration derived from the example set by her grandfather, His Highness the Amir. She stressed the importance of giving back to one’s community to contribute to the greater development of their country towards prosperity. In her pursuit of advancing the Kuwaiti society, Shaikha Dana believed that education is at the forefront of knowledge and social progress. She pioneered the project of introducing a Liberal Arts approach to learning by founding the American University of Kuwait (AUK)—the first liberal arts institution in Kuwait. The University enables students to think and learn through a curriculum that is specially designed to allow them to explore the many facets of education while allowing them the freedom to critically think and analyze the world from their own perspectives.
Throughout her talk, Shaikha Dana aimed to inspire the habit of giving without seeking anything in return as everyone’s efforts are serving the greater good of Kuwait’s future generations, “While some may classify philanthropy as an example of women’s leadership in societal contributions, I believe that it is a shared and equal duty for both men and women to invest in the development of Kuwait’s society,” she said.
Al-Sabah is the chairwoman of United Education Co. (UEC), Kuwait’s leading company in the education sector. UEC consolidates seven K-12 schools with over 12,500 students. The United Education network includes some of the leading American, Indian, and Pakistani schools in Kuwait.
She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Al-Futooh Holding Co., the major stakeholder in Kuwait Project Co. (KIPCO), a multi-sector operating holding company with a diversified portfolio spanning the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah during the panel discussion