The annual Corporate Appreciation Dinner to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the many active corporate supporters of American University of Sharjah (AUS) was held November 27 at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai. The annual event saw the attendance of senior officials from some of the leading international and regional corporate entities and explored opportunities for further collaboration between the corporate world and AUS.

Commemorating the occasion, Charles A. Diab, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, thanked all those present for their generous support to the university over the past year.

“All of you have been valued supporters of AUS. Through your support, AUS delivered 17 academic initiatives that benefitted some six thousand students and graduates, while employment and internship opportunities were generated for more than 1,100 students and fresh graduates. Not only did you sponsor many of AUS' initiatives but engaging with you, our network of corporate partners, have resulted in generating many competitive employment and internship opportunities for our students and fresh graduates," said Diab.

The dinner, which was held with the support of The Rotary Club of Dubai, was attended by more than 200 guests, including around 30 Rotarians. Speaking on the occasion, Musa Al-Sadoon, Past President of Rotary Jumeirah 2017-2018, said:

"Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting positive change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. We have three Rotary clubs in Dubai and hope to start more clubs in Dubai and other emirates very soon. Our motto is ‘Service Above Self’ and, therefore, we are proud to support local and international community projects such as the Senses Center in Dubai that looks after people of determination with daycare and residential services."

The evening included an awards ceremony wherein corporate partners were recognized for their contributions and special relationship with AUS.

Expressing his deep gratitude and appreciation to all the companies and organizations that support AUS, Dr. Wei Zhao, AUS Chief Research Officer, said:

"With your continuous support, we are confident that we will achieve our objectives, as well as successfully advance the mission of AUS, and its advancement efforts.”

“When the university celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of AUS,  mandated AUS to become the leading research university in the Arab world in just five years. We have established four research institutes to drive this agenda, focusing on real outcomes that will benefit commerce and industry in the Middle East and beyond,” added Dr. Zhao.

The event was organized by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA), which holds a number of alumni-related events throughout the year including the popular AUS Alumni Reunion and the AUS Careers Forum.

Organizations that helped AUS achieve its academic mission by supporting its institutional advancement endeavors with major and significant contributions were recognized with the Leaders of Excellence Award. The companies honored included: Bee'ah; Crescent Enterprises; Crescent Petroleum; Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai Design District (d3); EGA; Emaar; Fast Building Contracting Co.; Ithra Dubai; Kanaan Advocates and Legal Consultants; Khatib and Alami; Petrofac International Ltd.; Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Sharjah Holding; Sharjah National Oil Co. (SNOC).

Awards were also presented to Corporate Contributors and Community Builders which are organizations that have participated in university events through providing different levels of financial support; and Corporate Champions: organizations that have supported AUS with their time and effort.

This year, OAAA introduced an award named the Impact Award to recognize outstanding individuals for exceptional institutional engagement and service in supporting the educational mission of AUS. Yousuf Bastaki, Executive Vice President, Upstream Operations, Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA); Fathy Afana, CEO, Fast Building Contracting;  Samir Kanaan, Founder, Kanaan Advocates and Legal Consultants; AUS Alumnus Mohammad Al Shehhi, CEO, Dubai Design District; Fadle Saad, Country Manager, HP; and AUS Alumna Melissa Bayik, Head of Brand, Arada, were the recipents of this award.