AUS Career Fair 2026 connects students and alumni to over 560 internship and employment opportunities

American University of Sharjah (AUS) brought together more than 1,200 students and alumni and 82 employers from over 20 industry sectors at Career Fair 2026 on February 10, connecting  talent with over 560 internship and full-time employment opportunities.

Designed as a bridge between university life and the workplace, the fair gave students and alumni direct access to recruiters, role requirements and hiring pathways across a wide mix of fields. This year’s edition also featured an expanded focus on Emirati talent engagement, supporting employers seeking high-potential candidates and strengthening pathways from learning to employment.

“Career Fair 2026 reflects AUS’ long-term commitment to graduate employability and to building sustained partnerships with industry,” said Shaima Bin Taliah, Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at AUS. By bringing leading employers to campus and aligning recruitment with career readiness, we help students and alumni engage the market with clarity, confidence and purpose. The result is stronger access to opportunity and stronger outcomes for our community and the employers who rely on AUS talent.”

In the lead-up to the fair, AUS delivered career-readiness programming focused on CV development, personal branding and interview preparation, alongside employer engagement sessions that helped participants understand hiring expectations and recruitment processes, and approach the fair with stronger preparation.

For students attending the Career Fair, it offered a direct gateway to recruiters and real-world opportunities across a wide range of industries.

“As a senior preparing to transition from university to the professional world, the career fair gives me direct access to recruiters and industry professionals from a wide range of fields. Being able to network and connect with various companies gives me the foundation I need to take the next steps towards my future,” said Sally Dardari, visual communications student at AUS.

“The Career Fair is a key advancement touchpoint connecting the university with corporate partners and engaging alumni,” said Reem Bardan, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at AUS. “Beyond its on-campus presence, the event's true value lies in strengthening long-term relationships between industry and the university community that advance shared goals. We are grateful to our corporate partners for their continued engagement, which reinforces our commitment to community engagement, social responsibility and sustained collaboration, while contributing to a talent ecosystem that meets evolving workforce needs.”

The Career Fair was supported by Platinum sponsors DAEP, Invest Bank and Samsung; Gold sponsors Alpha Dhabi Holding, BESIX Construct Ltd. and Bank of Sharjah; Silver sponsors Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, Dubai Digital, Emirates Global Aluminium, P&G, Protiviti Member Firm Middle East Consultancy and Arada; and Bronze sponsors AW Rostamani Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, FÄM Properties, Gulftainer, Henkel, Kayali, L’Oréal, Marjan, Nestlé, Sprint Oil & Gas Services FZC, TotalEnergies, Transmed and Wacker. Institutional Advancement Sponsors included BEEAH, Crescent Petroleum and Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC). Crescent Enterprises participated as Strategic Partner.

Amina Al Halwaji, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bank of Sharjah, said: “At Bank of Sharjah, we view talent development as a core pillar of a resilient and sustainable banking sector. Our participation as a sponsor of the AUS Career Fair reflects our commitment to supporting national human capital development, in line with the UAE’s long-term economic vision and the Central Bank’s emphasis on sound governance and capability building. We value engaging with high-calibre graduates and introducing them to a professional banking environment grounded in integrity, discipline, and long-term growth.”

Mayada Jaheen, Talent Acquisition Manager at Samsung, said: "We are glad to have participated in the AUS Career Fair as part of Samsung Gulf’s commitment to engaging Gen Z and building future-ready early-career talent. The event offered an opportunity to connect with high-potential students and graduates while strengthening long-term partnerships with universities like AUS to develop the next generation of professionals."

Ali Hamdan Sajwani, Chief Human Capital Officer at Invest Bank, said: “Building a competitive economy begins with building exceptional people. At Invest Bank, we see talent development as a strategic investment in the nation’s future, not a recruitment exercise. Our participation in the AUS Career Fair reflects our commitment to actively shaping the workforce of tomorrow by creating direct, real-world pathways from education to high-impact careers. By partnering with AUS, we are strengthening the link between academic excellence and industry readiness, ensuring graduates enter the market equipped with the skills, mindset and ambition required to lead in a rapidly evolving economy. This is how sustainable growth is built, through early engagement, continuous development and a clear focus on human capital as a national priority.”

AUS graduates are a top choice among UAE employers, as reflected in the QS World University Rankings 2026 results, where AUS ranks first in the UAE for employer reputation and second in the UAE for employment outcomes.