New Student Orientation | Spring 2024 | American University of Sharjah

We are thrilled to welcome the newest members of the AUS community to Orientation Spring 2024.

Orientation for all new undergraduate students joining us in Spring 2024 will be held on campus, starting with a Welcome Session on Sunday, January 14 at 16:00.

To prepare, you will need to complete some important tasks as part of our pre-orientation via the online portal, which will open on Monday, January 8 at 12:00.

More details about how to register for orientation and login to the portal will be shared via email. 

Orientation is extremely important in ensuring all new AUS students receive the best start to university life possible and is therefore mandatory.

We also invite your parents and family to join selected sessions to let them know what to expect over your first few months at AUS, and show them how they can best support you at this time.

This page is full of resources to help you get started as an AUSer and make sure you have the best start to your first semester. This page will be updated often, so please keep checking regularly for any schedule changes or important updates.

If you are joining AUS as a new graduate student, please visit w.aus.edu/gradorientation.​

What to expect

  • Required Tasks | Book placement tests and complete your file with support from the admissions team, plan your move to campus, read our health insurance requirements and fee payment guide, and apply for a student ID card.
  • Early Class Registration | Once you have finalized your admissions file, you will hear from your academic advisor about registering for your first semester of classes.
  • IT Training | A series of mandatory training sessions on AUS learning platforms will be hosted online throughout pre-orientation. Check the schedule below for full details.
  • First Year Essentials | Get tips on how to survive your first year on our First Year Experience Podcast, attend information sessions with our admissions team.
  • RSVP for Social Events | We have a great line-up of on-campus social events and off-campus sight-seeing trips for new students at orientation. Make sure you RSVP to secure your spot!
  • Organize your move to campus | Complete the process for moving into the AUS Residential Halls if you plan to live on campus.
  • Be informed | Attend a series of information sessions for students and parents.
  • Meet your Peer Leader | Your Peer Leader will be your guide and mentor throughout orientation and beyond. 
  • Discover your campus | Familiarize yourself with our amazing campus and tour our facilities.
  • Get your class schedule | Receive your schedule of classes for your first semester at AUS.
  • Build your community | Get to know the Class of 2027 as you embark on your AUS journey together.
  • Get social | Connect with fellow AUSers and make new friends at social events hosted by the AUS Student Council.
  • Make yourself at home | For students moving into the Residential Halls on campus, we have a series of activities to welcome you to your new home and help you get settled.

 

Schedules

We have events for everyone during orientation.

Your schedule may vary depending on where you will be living and what program you will be studying. Please read the schedule carefully to understand which events you need to attend.

Click View Schedule to expand the schedules.

 

Notes

  • All pre-orientation sessions will be delivered online via our dedicated online portal or AUS remote learning platforms.

  • Completing your application file is mandatory for enrollment. File completion meetings are booked online with Admissions staff to show the required documents as stated in your Admission Letter.
  • It is mandatory to book placement tests. Multiple online placement test sessions are scheduled for your convenience. It is recommended that you complete the required placement tests one month before the beginning of the semester to avoid delays in course registration.
  • All IT training is mandatory. We have scheduled multiple sessions of each of the training programs for you to take at your convenience. Please ensure you attend at least one session of each program in the schedule. 

  • Required tasks and First Year Essentials can be completed at any time throughout the pre-orientation period. 

  • Applicants who complete their files will be contacted by their respective college/school during the pre-orientation week to register them for their first-semester courses. This process will be conducted online.

This schedule is subject to change.

FROM JANUARY 8 | View Schedule
Monday, January 8
15:00–16:00

IT Training—Using AUS IT Credentials | Online

17:00–18:00

IT Training—Introduction to iLearn (Online Learning Tool) | Online

Tuesday, January 9
10:00–11:00

IT Training—Demo Session: Navigating iLearn | Online

12:00–13:00

IT Training—Online Assessments | Online

17:00–18:00

IT Training—AUS Collaboration Tools | Online

Wednesday, January 10
10:00–11:00

IT Training—AUS Google Tools | Online

12:00–13:00

IT Training—Demo Session: AppsAnyWhere | Online

17:00–18:00

IT Training—Using AUS IT Credentials | Online

Thursday, January 11
10:00–11:00

IT Training—Introduction to iLearn (Online Learning Tool) | Online

12:00–13:00

IT Training—Demo Session: Navigating iLearn | Online

15:00–16:00

IT Training—Introduction to Engage Platform | Online

17:00–18:00

IT Training—Demo Session: AppsAnyWhere | Online

Tuesday to Thursday, January 9-11
10:00–20:00

Connect with Your Peer Leader. This week, your assigned Peer Leader will reach out to you via email to schedule an online meeting or phone call to introduce themselves and give you an overview of what to expect during orientation week.

 


 

This schedule is for all new AUS undergraduate students. All orientation events will be held on campus.

This schedule is subject to change.

JANUARY 14-21 | View Schedule

Notes

  • Important Note: File Completion and Placement Test Appointments
    During orientation, appointments for file completion and placement tests will only be available on the following days and times.

Monday, January 15, 10:00–17:00
Tuesday, January 16, 10:00–17:00
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 10:00–17:00
Thursday, January 18, 2024, 10:00–17:00

Sunday, January 14
16:00–17:00

Welcome Session for New Students and Parents | Main Auditorium, Main Building

17:00–18:00

Parent Information Session | Hall A, Main Building

17:00–19:00

Resource Fair for Parents and Students | Rotunda, Main Building

Monday, January 15
9:00–10:30

Meeting up with Peer leaders and Team Leaders in Colleges/School

10:30–11:30

Student Success Session | Main Building, Hall A

11:30–12:30

Awareness of Community Policies and Social Media | Main Building, Hall A

12:30–14:30

Lunch and Social Orientation Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

IT Training - ICT & IT Security Services | Main Building, Hall A

14:30–17:00

Library Tour

14:30–17:00

Tour of AUS Athletic Facilities | Sports Complex (check with your Peer Leader)

14:30–17:00

Campus Tour | Departs from Rotunda, Main Building

15:00–17:00

File Completion and Placement Test Appointments | For appointments check welcome.aus.edu

17:00–19:00

Social Event | Main Building, Rotunda

Tuesday, January 16
9:00–10:00

Meeting up with Peer leaders and Team Leaders in Colleges/School

10:00–11:00

Academic Policies Session followed by a Q &A Session | Main Auditorium, Main Building

11:00–14:00

College Orientation: Course Advising and Registration Session | Colleges/School

11:00–14:00

Achievement Academy Bridge Program: advising, registration and orientation

14:00–15:00

Lunch with Your Peer Leader | Rotunda, Main Building

15:00–16:00

IT Training - Introduction to iLearn and AppsAnyWhere | Main Building, Hall A

15:00–17:00

Library Tour

15:00–17:00

Campus Tour | Departs from Rotunda, Main Building

15:00–17:00

Tour of AUS Athletic Facilities | Sports Complex

15:00–17:00

File Completion and Placement Test Appointments | For appointments check welcome.aus.edu

17:00–19:00

Office of Student Affairs Dinner for New Students | Gazebo 1, Near Sports Complex

Wednesday, January 17
10:00–17:00

File Completion and Placement Test Appointments

14:00–15:00

Campus Tour | Departs from Rotunda, Main Building

Thursday, January 18
10:00–17:00

File Completion and Placement Test Appointments

11:00–14:00

Achievement Academy Bridge Program: advising, registration and orientation

14:00–17:00

Campus Tour | Departs from Rotunda, Main Building

Sunday, January 21
10:00–16:00

Sharjah Cultural Tour | Meet at Student Center Bus Stop

(By registration only. Limited seats are available)

 


 

This schedule is only for students who will be living on campus in the student residential halls. 

This schedule is subject to change.

JANUARY 13-19 | View Schedule
Saturday, January 13
8:00–Onwards

Residential Halls Open for Early Arrivals

Sunday, January 14
13:00–15:00

Residential Halls Move-in

15:00–15:30

Meet and Greet for New Resident Students and their Parents | AB Women's Residential Halls and KL Men's Residential Halls

Monday, January 15
19:30–20:30

Residential Assistant (RA) Meeting with Resident Students | AB Women's Residential Halls and KL Men's Residential Halls

Tuesday, January 16
17:00–19:00

Office of Student Affairs Dinner for New Students | Gazebo 1, Near Sports Complex

Wednesday, January 17
12:00–14:00

Lunch Buffet and RA Hotline | AB Women's Residential Halls and KL Men's Residential Halls. Come enjoy lunch and meet our RAs. They will be able to answer new students’ questions about living in the halls and direct them to campus resources that they may need.

17:30–19:30

University 101 Scavenger Hunt | AB Women's Residential Halls and KL Men's Residential Halls

Thursday, January 18
17:30–19:30

RA Social Program | AB Women's Residential Halls and KL Men's Residential Halls

Friday, January 19
13:30–15:00

International Student Chai and Chat | Student Residential Hub

Saturday, January 20
11:00–16:00

Mall Trip Festival City Mall. Students have to register first. Upon checking into your room, you will receive an email from the Residential Hall Coordinators with a link to register for this trip.

 


 

 

As we kick off the first day of classes on Monday, January 22, we also bring you the Week of Welcome (WoW).

We've got a full week of activities planned to celebrate new beginnings with our new and continuing proud AUSers.

JANUARY 22-27 | View Schedule
Monday, January 22
7:30–9:30

Grab & Go Breakfast | AB Women and KL Men (for resident students only)

11:00–14:00

My First Day Photo Booth | Outside Performing Arts

11:00–12:00

Emirati Cultural Club Welcome Event| Rotunda, Main Building

12:00–13:00

Iraqi Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

13:00–14:00

Lebanese Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

Korean Cultural Club Welcome Event| Rotunda, Main Building

14:00––15:00

Relax, Resource, Repeat Workshop | Hall A, Main Building

15:00–17:00

CEN Clubs Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–17:00

Escape Room | Library (meet in Level 1 Foyer)

17:00–18:00

Escape Room | Library (meet in Level 1 Foyer)

18:00–19:00

Escape Room | Library (meet in Level 1 Foyer)

17:30–19:00

Cooking for Change | AB Women (for resident students only)

Tuesday, January 23
9:00–10:00

COP28: Why Does it Matter? Coffee Conversation | Sheraa Hub, Library

11:00–12:00

Saudi Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

12:00–13:00

Indian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

13:00–14:00

Jordanian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

Nigerian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

American Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

Lowdown on AUS Lingo | Hall A, Main Building

17:00–18:30

Meet the Student Athletics and Recreation Department Team: Sports-Related Fun Games & Esports | Sports Complex

17:30–19:00

Cooking for Change | KL Men (for resident students only)

Wednesday, January 24
11:00–12:00

Russian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

12:00–13:00

Palestinian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

13:00–14:00

Pakistani Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

Egyptian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

15:00–17:00

Meet the Student Council Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

15:00–17:00

CAS Clubs Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

15:30–16:30

Make the Most of Your AUS Experience Panel | Hall A, Main Building

18:00–19:00

Fitness Hour: Move it, Shake it, Lift it | Table Tennis Room, Sports Complex

18:00–20:00

Welcome Back BBQ | Gazebo

18:30–21:00

Where Creativity Sets The Course | Room 0037, Engineering & Sciences Building

Thursday, January 25
11:00–12:00

Chinese Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

12:00–13:00

Sudanese Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

13:00–14:00

Syrian Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:00–15:00

Bangladeshi Cultural Club Welcome Event | Rotunda, Main Building

14:30–15:30

Crazy Olympics | Achievement Academy Bridge Program, Third Floor, Main Building

15:00–17:00

Welcome by Interest-Oriented Clubs | Rotunda, Main Building

18:30–20:30

Off-Campus Trip | Bowling at Al Zahia

Friday January 26
19:00–21:00

Movie Night | AB Women & KL Men

Saturday, January 27
18:00–20:00

Games in the Hall | AB Women & KL Men

Accessing the Portal

Accessing our dedicated pre-orientation portal is quick and simple. Admitted students will receive details on how to register via email. 

Once you have registered for pre-orientation, we will send you your Orientation Welcome Pack!

The portal will open for pre-orientation at 12:00 on Monday, January 8. Students will need to log in using the login details received when they register. Once logged in, students can easily join scheduled training and information sessions and complete the mandatory pre-orientation tasks.

Need help?

Our technical support team will be available to help if you experience any technical issues trying to log in to the portal from 8:00 to 18:00, Monday through Thursday. 

Call or WhatsApp +971 6 515 4800 

Email [email protected] 

Registration and Your Class Schedule

Registering for courses in your first semester

The course registration process will be discussed in detail at the Academic Orientation with your college or school on Tuesday, January 16 from 11:00-14:00. This session is mandatory for all new students. If you miss this session, you must email your Associate Dean for further instructions.

Only students who have completed their academic file will be able to register for their first semester of courses. Your file is considered complete only when all the requirements mentioned in the admission letter have been received by the Admissions Office. Please refer to your admission letter and emails received from the Admissions Office to note and prepare all the missing documents.

If you have not yet completed your file, you can make an appointment to do so with an admissions officer.

Once your file is completed, you will be contacted by your college or school to be registered for the courses that you will be taking in your first semester at AUS. By the end of orientation week, you will receive your class schedule.

Click on the button below for a list of Registration FAQs to help you as you go through the course advising and registration process.

How to contact your Associate Dean

College of Architecture, Art and Design
Faysal Tabbarah | Associate Dean, CAAD | [email protected]

College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ahmad Al-Issa | Associate Dean, CAS | [email protected]

College of Engineering
Dr. Assim Sagahyroon | Associate Dean, CEN | [email protected]

School of Business Administration
Dr. Mohsen Saad | Associate Dean, SBA | [email protected]

Undeclared Majors
Rasha Tawfik | Director, ASC | [email protected]

Achievement Academy Bridge Program
Jessica March | Director, Achievement Academy | [email protected]

Getting to Campus

All orientation sessions will be held on campus, starting on January 14.

The AUS campus is located in University City in Sharjah. If you're coming to campus for the very first time, please read the information below about parking and transport options for students and visitors.

If you have any questions about health and safety on campus, please email [email protected].  

 

Transportation and bus schedules

AUS students can take advantage of the bus services that run between campus and various locations around Sharjah, from Dubai Metro stations and weekly to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

For the most recent information about our bus schedules and other important information, please click the button below.

​Parking and drop-off areas

Students should arrive on campus 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their orientation session. 

If you are driving or being dropped off at campus, please refer to the map linked below to become familiar with the designated car parking and drop-off areas. After leaving the vehicle, follow the signs to the building where the orientation event is taking place. Location details for each event will be shared with students prior to orientation.

Peer Leaders

Here to support you

One of the most important people you will meet at orientation is your Peer Leader

Peer Leaders are AUS students who are committed to supporting you as you transition to university life.

Your Peer Leader will welcome you at orientation, and assist and guide you throughout the week and beyond. They will also help you to discover all of the resources, activities and organizations available to you as an AUS student.  

Drop in at One Stop During Orientation

The AUS Solution Center, a one-stop shop for all your AUS service needs, will be open throughout orientation to ensure you have the resources and support you need to achieve your goals at AUS. 

Whether you want to learn more about residential life or apply for a financial grant or scholarship, the friendly team at the solution center can answer your questions, help fill out forms, and much more. In addition to the team being on hand to answer questions, iPads are available so that students can complete administrative tasks with the assistance of our solution center team members.

During orientation, students and parents may drop in to the AUS Solution Center without an appointment between the following times:

  • Sunday, January 14  | 12:00 to 20:00
  • Monday, January 15 to Thursday, January 18 | 8:00 to 17:00

The AUS Solution Center is located on the mezzanine level of the AUS Main Building (M03B).

Support Services and Resources

We know this is a brand-new experience for you, and you may be feeling anxious, worried or excited (or a mix of all three) about all the things you need to know and do as a first-year AUS student.

We are here to support you with everything you need to have a successful and prosperous university career. Whether you need IT support, want to learn some valuable study and time-management skills, or want to speak with a counselor, we have you covered.

Browse the information at the links below to see how we can support your needs.

Follow Us

FYE on Instagram

Follow @ausfye for regular updates, podcasts and news for first-year students. 

OSA on Instagram

Follow @aus_osa for updates from the Office of Student Affairs and the AUS student community. 

AUS on Instagram

Follow @ausharjah for news and updates on the wider AUS community.

You are now leaving the American University of Sharjah website.

By continuing, you will be taken to a website not affiliated with American University of Sharjah. Links to external sites are provided only for users' convenience and imply no endorsement of the site and/or its content. Note that the privacy policy and security settings of the linked site may differ from those of the AUS website.

Open link