AUS honors its supporters at annual event for advancing university goals

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently celebrated the significant contributions of its corporate supporters at the annual Corporate Appreciation Event, a gathering dedicated to acknowledging the vital role of corporate engagement in the university's mission.

Hosted at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, the event welcomed over 70 business leaders and senior executives from top international regional and local corporations. This event recognized substantial support provided by these entities in advancing AUS' goals during Academic Year 2022–2023.

Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, expressed his gratitude to the university's corporate partners whose support has left an indelible mark on AUS’ academic mission. 

“Your commitment has been instrumental. From my earliest days in office, I have taken immense pride in the pivotal role each of you plays. Despite busy schedules, I am personally committed to engaging with you, fostering relationships and building a foundation for future collaborations. This event is not just a celebration; it is a starting point for a year filled with meaningful interactions and partnerships. Our shared goals and values form the bedrock of our collaboration, and I encourage your continued support and involvement. Together, we can achieve remarkable heights, and I look forward to connecting, exchanging ideas and laying the groundwork for a future of shared success,” Chancellor Laursen said.

The event, organized by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA), featured a series of awards acknowledging the diverse and impactful ways in which these partnerships have contributed to the university's institutional advancement endeavors. The Leaders of Excellence award was presented to Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Emaar, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), Petrofac International Ltd and BEEAH Group for their outstanding support and leadership. SCCI was also honored with the Champion of Education Excellence award.

The award for Best Community Engagement of the Year for non-academic experiences was given to Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Crescent Petroleum and Crescent Enterprises, with honorable mentions including Sharjah Media City (Shams), Alef Group, e&, Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC) and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa). The award for best academic experiences was bestowed upon emaratech, Network International and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF).

Additional awards included the Champion of Lifelong Learning, awarded to Chalhoub Group, and the Employer of Choice award celebrating the contributions of Petrofac, Schneider Electric and Boston Consulting Group.

Rania Morsi, Director of OAAA, reflected on the upcoming year with optimism. 

"As we stand on the threshold of 2024, a year of promise and potential, our enthusiasm radiates as we unveil a transformative focus. Embracing the spirit of generosity, we proudly announce our commitment to promoting giving as the overarching theme for all our events. This intentional shift aims to not only cultivate a culture of philanthropy but also to nurture deeper connections and collaborations among our esteemed partners. In anticipation of this exciting journey, we have meticulously designed new and thrilling initiatives that we believe will elevate and enrich our partnership to new heights. We invite you to stay tuned and be ready as we prepare to unveil our collaborative agenda, symbolizing the next chapter in our shared pursuit of excellence," she said.

To further highlight the impact of these collaborations, an impact report is available, offering insights into the university's advancements and future initiatives.