AUS and Al Shola School sign Sharakah MoU

American University of Sharjah (AUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Shola School today, January 26, 2012, in the university's Faculty Senate Room. The Sharakah program is a strategic initiative by the Office of Enrollment Management at AUS to promote sustainable partnerships with selected schools from across the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS, and Ibrahim Salim Barakeh, Principal of Al Shola School.

"This partnership reaffirms AUS's commitment, as part of its strategic plans, to the local community by providing the necessary tools for secondary students to prepare for their university journey. We look forward to this mutually beneficial collaboration with Al Shola School," said Dr. Heath.

"Al Shola School, now completing almost 30 years, has always called for partnership between educational bodies that share the same goals and values. We recognized the necessity to build bridges with universities," said Ibrahim Barakeh.

Ali Shuhaimy, AUS Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management said the agreement formalizes a long lasting cooperation between AUS and Al Shola. He listed the various areas of cooperation both educational institutions have had. He said that as part of the agreement, AUS will provide partial scholarships to deserving students selected from lists provided by the school. AUS would also offer patronage of selected research, cultural, social and sporting events to be organized by Al Shola School and would organize workshops for teachers and students as and when needed. Ali added that AUS would also offer university preparation courses, including SAT and TOEFL preparation courses, to students from the partner school, as needed.

Also present at the signing ceremony were senior AUS and Al Shola officials.