American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat) will collaborate to assess and develop business opportunities between the two organizations. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to that effect by Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS, and Abdulaziz Hamad Taryam, CEO Advisor and General Manager Etisalat Northern Emirates, on behalf of their respective organizations at a special ceremony held today, Monday, April 27.

According to the agreement, the two organizations will work together to pursue the objectives of establishing a strategic relationship to assess, evaluate and develop business opportunities. Both AUS and Etisalat will cooperate in a number of areas. These include developing a business engagement model that results in a preferred and strategic partnership between the two organizations; working together to understand current and future business requirements; establishing a joint team to undertake all activities under a partnership arrangement; as well as any other activity that both parties decide to include within the scope of the MoU.

"We are pleased to sign this MoU with Etisalat," said Chancellor Kjerfve, speaking on the occasion. "AUS has been mandated to be organically linked to the industrial, economic and cultural sectors of society in productive cooperation. And, therefore, we have always placed great emphasis on establishing ties that not only prove to be mutually beneficial but also have a positive impact on society in general. I believe that this agreement with Etisalat augurs the start of a special relationship and one whose benefits will reach beyond our two institutions," he added.

Commenting on the MoU, Abdulaziz Hamad Taryam said, "We are delighted to collaborate with American University of Sharjah, which is one of the leading educational institutions in the region. We will work through this MoU to develop an interactive business model that will assess the current and future requirements of our two organizations in synch with our respective visions.

"The MoU is consistent with our strategy in providing help to the education sector. The telecom sector has many technological solutions geared towards educational content that can be of help to academic institutions. We also have successful partnerships with various governmental entities aimed at introducing information and communication technology in learning environments as well assisting in developing specific areas of research through the curricula," he concluded.

Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), expressed satisfaction over the signing of the MOU, which came only a week after the launch of a Content Distribution Agreement between AUS and Etisalat. "I hope the agreement will strengthen the existing relationship between AUS and Etisalat and enhance our contribution towards the knowledge economy emerging in the country."

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by a number of senior AUS and Etisalat officials.