American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) commitment to providing students with the knowledge and skills to compete globally in the twenty-first century is demonstrated through the accomplishments of graduates, said His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of AUS, at the university's Fall 2019 commencement ceremony held today, December 21, at University City Hall, Sharjah.

A total of 567 students received their degrees in various majors offered by the university at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

During his address, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, congratulated the graduates on their achievement:

“I am happy to be here today to offer my congratulations to you on your success. This day marks an important occasion in your life as you see years of hard work and commitment bear fruit. Occasions like these are special because you get to celebrate them with your family. I want to congratulate your parents as their support was instrumental in your achievement.”

His Highness also spoke about the recognition that the university continues to receive for providing education that caters to national and regional demands:

It has been our goal since the very inception of this university to establish a center of excellence that responds to the requirements and demands of its environment. In preparing our students for the digital age, we launched a minor in data science this semester. This allows students to study and apply the essentials of data science, which is fast becoming a field of increasing importance to all sectors, from medicine to space exploration.

“The enhancements the university frequently makes in curriculum are matched by developments in the academic facilities available on campus. Our recently commissioned new Engineering and Sciences Building is a fine example of a facility designed in accordance with the College of Engineering’s pledge to provide hands-on learning across the engineering disciplines. It also meets stringent environmental standards, demonstrating AUS’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.”

Addressing the graduates, His Highness said:

“Dear graduates, your alma mater has played an important role in your lives, helping provide you with knowledge and experience and the skills you need to be successful. You are our best ambassadors to the world outside. I call upon you, therefore, to keep in touch with AUS. No matter where you are, remember that AUS is your home and a place that will always welcome you.

“I hope that all of you will go on to achieve great success in your chosen fields of endeavor. I wish you the very best and urge you to make the most of the education, knowledge and skills that you have acquired during your time at AUS and help develop and better your societies.”

In his welcoming remarks, AUS Chancellor Professor Kevin Mitchel congratulated the students on their success and wished them the very best in their future endeavors. He said:

“Today you join the many AUS alumni who have distinguished themselves personally and professionally following graduation. Commencement provides an opportunity to celebrate both the conclusion of your educational experience at the university and the beginning of life beyond AUS, which we hope will be characterized by a continuing commitment to the ideals of intellectual inquiry.”

Professor Mitchell added:

“Your contributions through class discussions, community service initiatives, student leadership roles, performances, extracurricular activities, and research assistants enriched the campus. The university benefitted from your engagement in the life of the institution as students and we look forward to celebrating your future success as alumni.”

The breakdown of the Class of Fall 2019 is as follows:

Total number of graduating students: 567

Number of undergraduate students receiving degrees: 489

Number of graduate students receiving degrees: 78

Number of male graduates: 285

Number of female graduates: 282

Total number of UAE nationals graduating: 114

A breakdown of the graduating class by college/school is as follows:

College of Architecture, Art and Design: 29 undergraduate and 9 graduate 

College of Arts and Sciences: 74 undergraduate and 18 graduate 

College of Engineering: 263 undergraduate and 39 graduate 

School of Business Administration: 123 undergraduate and 12 graduate

Speaking on behalf of the Class of Fall 2019, student speaker Shams El-Mutwalli, an English language and literature major, said:

“Every great story is the product of the characters in it. In a similar way, our story at AUS will forever be inspired by our professors who fortified our minds, our families who gave us strength and our classmates and friends who brought us comfort in solidarity. We are a culmination of all these people, and it is because of this community that we are standing here today.”

She added:

“Perhaps we can say that our communities supply us with the same unity that makes a story so compelling. They piece things together and make sense of them, ultimately giving us purpose. The bright and talented community of professors and students here at AUS, gave that young, lost student standing on the steps on her very first day, a place to belong and to thrive.”

Founded in 1997, AUS has fulfilled His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan's vision of a quality institution catering to the aspirations and needs of the UAE and the wider Gulf community as a whole. Over the past decade, the student body increased considerably, necessitating the launch of two graduation ceremonies per year.

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