Welcome Graduate Students!
Welcome to the AUS community.
This New Student Orientation for graduate students will provide you with the essential information you need to begin your journey at AUS.
On August 25, we’ll introduce you to AUS and your college/school, help you connect with classmates, and introduce you to the various support services available to you as a graduate student.
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.
Orientation is extremely important to ensuring all new AUS students are well-equipped to begin university life and is therefore mandatory.
Keep checking back here for regular updates.
IT Training for New Students: August 8–19
Having a good understanding of the IT platforms AUS graduate students use for learning and other purposes is absolutely key to a student’s success during their time at university. We are therefore hosting a series of IT training sessions for new AUS students during January and it is essential that all new AUSers take part. These sessions will be hosted online prior to orientation from Sunday, August 8 to Thursday, August 19. Check the schedule below for full details.
The sessions include general AUS IT service and application training, introductions to iLearn (AUS' learning management system) and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and more.
Read below to find out how to take part in this IT training:
Tips
- Be sure to enter the training link from a desktop PC/laptop for the best online experience.
- Have a stable internet connection
Step 1
Click on the training link provided for the session you want to attend.
Step 2
Once the page has loaded, you will be asked to provide your name. Please enter your name, then click Join Session.
Step 3
You will now be in your Blackboard Collaborate session. You can send chat messages by clicking on the purple arrow in the bottom right to open the Collaborate Panel. Then select the first tab to open chat messages.
Orientation Schedule
Your orientation sessions will be delivered online via AUS remote learning platforms.
See below for the full orientation schedule for graduate students.
Note
This schedule is subject to change.
- Wednesday, August 25
- 15:00–15:30
Welcome Session, with–
Dr. Susan Mumm, Chancellor
Dr. Juan Sanchez, Provost
Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies
Mr. Ali Shuhaimy, Executive Director for Enrollment Management
Muhammad Faheem Hassan, President, AUS Graduate Student Association
15:30–17:00College Orientation Sessions–
College of Architecture, Art and Design
College of Arts and Science
College of Engineering
School of Business Administration
- Sunday, August 29–Saturday, September 4
Sunday, August 29 is the first day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester.
The Office of Graduate Studies, your course advisor and college representatives are all available to support you with any questions or needs you might have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them personally should you require any support.
Accessing Orientation
Accessing orientation is quick and simple. All you need to do is follow the instructions in your invitation email so you can easily join your scheduled sessions. Please note, you will not be able to access these sessions until 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25.
If you are having any technical issues trying to log in to orientation, you can call or WhatsApp +971 6 515 4800 or email [email protected] during orientation week.
Your College or School
To learn more about your program, college or school, select the links below. The link for your relevant college/school academic orientation on Wednesday, January 27 will be shared with you directly via email.
- College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD)
- College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
- College of Engineering (CEN)
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (MSBME)
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSChE)
Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCoE)
Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM)
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)
Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management (MSESM)
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
Master of Science in Mechatronics Engineering (MSMTR)
PhD in Engineering - Engineering Systems Management (PhD-ESM)
- School of Business Administration (SBA)
Support Services
We are here to support you with everything you need to have a successful and prosperous experience at AUS. 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.
Download the AUS Resources brochure or browse the information below.
- Course Textbooks and Materials
Your course may require you to purchase an eTextbook from the AUS eTextbook Shop. The University’s eTextbook Shop is provided by Kortext. Kortext is an ebook platform that enables students to access their books both online and offline, on multiple devices. Kortext provides perpetual access to ebooks once they are downloaded.
Access to the AUS eTextbook Shop is through iLearn (the university's learning management system). Specific details on which books to purchase for your individual courses will be provided in the course syllabus.
A student guide to purchasing texts from the AUS eTextbook Shop can be found at the link below.
- Support for Students with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability diagnosed by a qualified professional in the field, you may apply for academic accommodations through the Academic Support Center (ASC) in order to have equal access for educational opportunities at AUS. For more information, you can download our Faculty Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities.
- IT Service Desk
The IT Support Service Desk is your central point of contact for any IT-related issues you may be facing. We recommend you check this list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) first, and if you still need support call +971 6 515 2121 or email [email protected]. Operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.
- Your AUS Student ID Card
More than just a university ID card, your AUS ID card can get you some generous discounts at selected establishments in the UAE. Please click here for a list of participating retailers.
We will issue your physical card once we are back on campus full-time. In the meantime, if you would like to apply for a digital AUS student ID card, please send your photo with a white background and your full name in Arabic to [email protected]. If you are unable to write your name in Arabic, please send a copy of your passport and the Office of Protocol can assist you.
- Registration and Your Class Schedule
During orientation, you will be registered for the courses you will be taking in your first semester at AUS.
We'll go through the course advising and registration process with you during the academic orientation with your college/school on Wednesday, August 25 from 15:30 to 17:00. Please make sure you attend this session. If you do miss this session you must contact your program coordinator or the associate dean of your college/school for further instructions.
You will need to schedule a meeting with your program coordinator during the registration week to discuss your study plan and select the courses you will take during the first semester. Check with your program coordinator regarding the process for registering in the courses. Please visit https://banner.aus.edu/ for information about class schedules and course descriptions. Once registered, you need to arrange for fee payment (see Student Accounts section).
Please note, if you wish to make changes to your schedule, you may do so only during the add/drop period from August 29 to September 6.
You can view the AUS Graduate Catalog for the 2021/22 academic year at the link below.
- Accessing AUS Library Resources and Services
You now have access to one of the premier libraries in the region, with collections of books, e-books, journals and more to support your learning. Our librarians are here to help. Simply visit the library website at library.aus.edu and use the chat function to start a conversation.
Follow us on Instagram @auslibrary, Twitter @AUS_Library and Facebook @AUSLibrary to stay up-to-date with our services, learn pro-tips for your research, explore the library and much more.
In the meantime, browse our 'Welcome to the Library' booklet, or click Learn More to visit the Library website, or watch our informational video for new graduate students.
- University Health Services (UHS)
University Health Services (UHS) provides supportive and consultative health care to the AUS community to make our campus a healthy and safe place to study, work and live. Services include outpatient services for both acute and chronic problems, short-term emergency care, minor surgical procedures, health education programs, counseling and much more.
Please click the link below for more information about health insurance requirements for full-time students.
- University Counseling Services (UCS)
While university can be a wonderful experience, you may also have times when you are struggling with stressful situations or experiences involving your academics, family, relationships or social life. We offer free and confidential support for your mental health and well-being through our University Counseling Services. If you are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to help.
- Career Development Services
From your first day of graduate studies until after graduation, the Career Development Unit at the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA) can provide you with advice and guidance to help you secure rewarding professional careers and internship opportunities.
- Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs
Do you have an idea that you think could really take off but you don’t know where to start? Our friends at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) offers workshops and opportunities to inspire and equip you to bring your idea to life.
- Student Accounts
Student Accounts assists AUS graduate students in understanding:
- tuition and fee charges on the statement of fees
- the various payment and installment methods
- the relevant due dates for payments
We strive to deliver excellent customer service by providing accurate and timely information to students and responding to all financial-related queries.
- Graduate Students Association (GSA)
The Graduate Students Association (GSA) is a student-run organization that promotes graduate students' interests and organizes social and professional events throughout the year. You can contact the GSA at [email protected].
- Testing Center
Before you can enroll in classes for your first semester make sure to submit your verified English Language Proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, EmSAT or Linguaskill).
If you have any questions or need our support, please contact us by clicking on the button below.
- Visa and Equalization Services
One of the features that makes AUS admired throughout the region is its multicultural environment. Our student body comprises approximately 90 nationalities from around the world, making our community a beautiful blend of different cultures, ethnicities and religions.
Visa and Equalization Services (VES) assists students with immigration and visa issues. If you have any questions or require our services, please email [email protected].
- Living on Campus
AUS offers on-campus accommodation for full-time graduate students who require it.
All residential halls are equipped with Internet access, computer labs, gyms, TV and entertainment rooms, vending machines and laundry rooms, and male and female students live in separate residential halls on campus.
For more information about whether you are eligible to live on campus this semester, please contact Mr. Issam Zaarob, Senior Manager of Student Residential Life, at [email protected].
