AUSAA launches AUS Alumni Ramadan Series with a Sharjah Iftar

The American University of Sharjah Alumni Association (AUSAA) launched this year's AUS Alumni Ramadan Series by hosting a Sharjah Ramadan Iftar on August 17. The Iftar returned to AUS main campus 550 AUS. This was a significant percentage of the total alumni who have graduated during the past few years and who are now living in dozens of countries.

AUS Chancellor, Dr. Peter Heath, expressed gratitude in seeing so many of the alumni journey back to what he termed "their academic home." "As His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, AUS President, has pointed out, you are the youngest ambassadors in all walks of life. You are living testimony to the exemplary conceptual and technological skills learned at AUS for application throughout the world."

Dr. Heath also congratulated the Alumni Association on the wide range of activities that brought together alumni from far and wide this year under the umbrella of the University's Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. These activities ranged from leadership capacity-building conferences and entrepreneurship workshops, the founding of new chapters in the GCC and beyond, and the hosting of business forums in the UAE. In the several business conferences, alumni invited key business leaders to analyze economic trends in the Gulf.

Chancellor Heath remarked, "The goal of the AUSAA is to actively involve as many alumni as possible and to have them lead various projects and events so that they continue as life-long-learners to perfect valuable skills with their former classmates. The AUSAA is the most active alumni group in the Gulf," Dr. Heath pointed out, and he invited all alumni to actively participate. "The many opportunities of the Alumni Association, like leadership in the Board, the Council, as well as the very active chapters are excellent ways to hone your leadership skills while assisting your Association and University," he remarked assuring the alumni of the unwavering support of the University and its Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. The Chancellor also commended the very active chapters' leaders of the Alumni Association such as alumnus Farid Abdullah (Dubai Chapter), alumnus Samer Al Jamal (Abu Dhabi Chapter), and alumnus Rami Jaber (Events Chapter), as well as Ali Abu Khamseen and Bishr Challah from the regional chapters in Kuwait and Syria respectively).

Dr. Heath extended his gratitude to MAF Dalkia, Pepsi Co., and Emirates NBD, for their generosity in sponsoring the well-attended Iftar. As with most of the alumni events, seriousness of purpose mixed with celebration and good-natured fun; raffle prizes were awarded.

In welcoming the alumni back to AUS, Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs, noted that "Although the holy month is a particularly busy time for family and friends, the sheer number of returning graduates for this first Ifar shows the very special place AUS holds in the alumni's identity. A university family trains students in how to evaluate the world around them so that you may make the necessary improvements for society when it comes to your turn to assume the mantle of leadership. Superbly trained young workers will make the critical difference in devising new solutions for your companies and for your countries to push beyond economic slowdowns that may materialize from time to time." Dr. Mourtada-Sabbah also commended the first elected Board of the Alumni Association for their energetic efforts in presenting a wide variety of events and programs.

On behalf of the AUS Alumni Association, AUSAA Vice President Musbah Abu Jarad reviewed the most memorable achievements of the year. He invited his fellow alumni to join one of the many active chapters. Our activities are both skill building and fun, and especially under the proactive presidency of Sheikha Azza Al Nuaimi, the new AUSAA President. Vice President Abu Jarad likened the style of the Association to "rolling up your sleeves and taking on tasks that a young graduate would have only imagined but would not have thought possible.  The AUSAA, however, is the vehicle with talent and resources to make anything happen."

As the Distinguished Guest of Honor of the Iftar, Mr. Khalifa Bin Braik, Vice President of Sharjah Holding, discussed how the AUS graduates could continue to perfect their fine leadership skills, along with AUS's famous "can-do-attitude," to succeed in the marketplace. He also reviewed the essential tenets of entrepreneurship from the perspective of the many business divisions of Sharjah Holding. Guest speaker Mr. Maher Al Aghbar, Business Development Director for the Middle East at MAF Dalkia, introduced the alumni to the widely-ranging operations available for them at MAF Dalkia. The firm is looking forward to employ several AUS graduates. Representatives of sponsoring companies attended to meet with alumni, such as Alumnus Ibrahim Fikri, HR Manager Emirates NBD, and Alumna Reema Al Shamekh GCC Beverages BU, PepsiCo., as well as Samir Cardy, Business Development Manager MAF Dalkia, Samir Mukatash, HR Director MAF Dalkia, Radia Boussalia, Marketing and Communications Manager MAF Dalkia, Additional events in the AUS Alumni Ramadan Series include an Iftar sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Chapter. AUS Alumnus Suhoor, the Events Chapter and the Dubai Chapter have organized the Second Annual Ramadan Sports Tournament, with playoffs for men's and women's basketball and soccer. This tournament draws on the alumni camaraderie and their wish to participate in good health and social practices during the holy month.