Strategic Theme Two: Research and Scholarship

With our exciting ambition to become the region’s leading institution, the need to grow our research agenda producing high- quality research and scholarship with local relevance and a global impact is critical.

Through the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of American University of Sharjah, AUS is well positioned to expand its research infrastructure, faculty resources and expertise, and graduate program offerings with the aim of becoming the region’s leader in research, scholarship and creative activity.

Goals

1. A comprehensive university integrating a research and scholarship agenda with the on-going commitment to an undergraduate education with an innovative liberal arts foundation.
2. A research and scholarship culture that empowers faculty to deliver high productivityand quality.

STRATEGIES

1. Establish four interdisciplinary research institutes in the areas of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Gulf Environments, Smart Cities, and Material Science and Engineering, offering master’s degree and PhD programs in each institute. Support the research institutes through the development of three centers specializing in geospatial analysis, genomics and high- performance computational power.

2. Develop the administrative structure and operational services required to support a comprehensive university.

3. Establish methodology and infrastructure to enable internal and external dissemination and promotion of knowledge and ideas leading to enhanced research visibility. Encourage the exploration of interdisciplinary research opportunities through collaboration with international academia and industry.

4. Use a broad range of metrics to gauge the productivity and impact of research and scholarship output across all disciplines. Assist the realization of our research targets through a framework of faculty development initiatives and financial support.