AUS design programs continue to attract top regional talent

American University of Sharjah (AUS) continues to see high interest in admissions to its design programs offered by the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD). Almost 680 students are currently enrolled in AUS’ undergraduate programs in architecture, interior design, design management, multimedia design and visual communication, as well as the Master of Urban Planning program, with UAE nationals making up more than 20 percent of the total.

This tracks with the UAE’s commitment to the growth of the cultural and creative industries, which the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth expects to see among the top 10 economic sectors of the country by 2031 (World Conference on Creative Economy, 2021).

Over the past 25 years, CAAD has earned a reputation for attracting and nurturing the region’s top talent to its highly competitive and rigorous programs. More than 2,370 CAAD alumni (more than 400 of whom graduated between 2020 and2023) represent their alma mater across the world, working in museums and cultural institutions, governmental and not-for-profit organizations, private design studios, multinational corporations and more.

“When we first opened our doors in 1997, one of the greatest challenges we faced was convincing parents and students of the value of a design degree. By delivering programs that exceed industry expectations, and the individual and collective successes of our alumni, we have earned the reputation that attracts the high caliber of students we enroll each year,”  said Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril, Dean of CAAD.

“Today, AUS is ranked among the world’s top 200 universities for design studies, number two for employer reputation across all of Asia for architecture and the built environment, and our graduates are the top choice for UAE employers. CAAD alumni are widely successful in both industry and academia, and this year we saw a record number of our graduates enrolled at Harvard Graduate School of Design, among other reputable institutions,” he said.

Recent architecture CAAD graduate AlZaina Lootah, a UAE national, was the first member of her family to pursue a career in design.

“Coming from a family of engineers, teachers, doctors and business degree holders, I was the first to pursue an education in design—and I’m glad I did. My parents have been incredibly supportive, celebrating my successes as an AUS student and now in my creative path as a professional,” said Lootah.

“AUS’s reputation and rankings were key influences in my decision to study architecture at CAAD, as well as the fact that the program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board  (NAAB) in the USA. This becomes an advantage post-graduation, especially when applying for jobs as well as graduate programs abroad. In addition, as a CAAD student, I had access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources for designing and making, which are at the heart of the CAAD experience,” she said.

Lootah’s experience at AUS proved particularly rewarding. A recipient of the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship and a member of the winning design team of the Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize in 2022, Lootah secured a role with a major multinational firm before receiving her degree. 

“Architecture is a field of challenge and discipline that really shaped me into the person I am today—a motivated and passionate architect and a proud AUSer,” said Lootah.

Undergraduate and graduate admissions to study at the College of Architecture, Art and Design at American University of Sharjah in Fall 2023 are open until July 20. For more information about how to apply, visit www.aus.edu/prospective-students.