His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad AlQassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and Founder and President ofAmerican University of Sharjah (AUS) will attend the Spring 2012 CommencementCeremony on Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at theUniversity City Hall, Sharjah.

A total of 506 undergraduate and graduate studentswill participate in the ceremony.

Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS, thanked SheikhDr. Sultan for his extensive and exceptional support to the university sinceits inauguration more than a decade ago. Dr. Heath also conveyed his congratulationsto the members of the Board of Trustees, graduates and their parents on thisoccasion.

"Graduation is an achievement and a gift. It is anachievement of perseverance and ability, and it is a gift to yourselves, toyour proud families, and to society," said Dr. Heath addressing the students. Youknow that the will to win, the will to succeed means little without the will toprepare, so you and we at American University of Sharjah formed a partnershipseveral years ago to prepare you for a satisfying career and to prepare youtake an active role in society."

Dr. Heath said that AUS has not onlyendeavored to provide its students with the most current knowledge and skillsbut has also placed equal emphasis on inculcating principles of strong personalintegrity and sound ethical values.

AUS has succeeded in becoming a pioneer highereducation institution in the region. The university has endeavored to developlong-lasting ties with public and private sectors, which is a step towardbridging the gap between higher educational institutions and the job market,both for the present and future generations of students and alumni.

Founded in 1997, the university has fulfilled HisHighness Dr. Sheikh Sultan's vision of a quality institution catering to theaspirations and needs of the UAE and the wider Gulf community as a whole. Overthe past decade, the student body has increased considerably, necessitating thelaunch of two graduation ceremonies per year.