AUS strengthens international ties through Research Visits Initiative

Stepping into a new era of academic collaboration, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) has introduced the CEN-International Research Visits Program (CEN-IRV) to bolster international research partnerships by enabling AUS faculty to engage with and visit universities and research centers across the globe.

The CEN-IRV program has already led two recent visits by Dr. Rami Hawileh, Professor in Civil Engineering, and Dr. Mostafa Shaaban, Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering and Interim Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering, to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). More CEN faculty members are scheduled to visit such prominent institutions as the University of Edinburgh, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and AGH University of Science and Technology in Poland.

"The CEN-IRV program enables our faculty to collaborate on a global stage, bringing valuable insights and diverse perspectives back to our campus. This initiative is not just about broadening our research horizons; it's about creating meaningful, lasting academic partnerships that resonate with our commitment to addressing critical global and UAE-based challenges," said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN.

He added: “In this endeavor, our focus is on partnering with universities already linked to CEN or those with a formal Memorandum of Understanding with AUS. We invite others to join us, enhancing our network for global knowledge exchange and innovation."

During his visit to KAIST, Dr. Shaaban met with experts in clean energy solutions, including Professor Dongsoo Har of KAIST and Professor Jun-hee Hong of Gachon University. He also met with a representative from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power to discuss potential collaborations in advanced nuclear energy reactors and clean energy for the UAE.

“After my visit to South Korea, I'm more convinced than ever about the power of international collaboration. Engaging with global leaders in clean energy at KAIST provided a unique perspective that will immensely benefit our ongoing research at AUS,” he said.

Moreover, Dr. Shaaban's seminar at KAIST, titled “A Comprehensive Approach to Energy Management and Resource Allocation in Smart Cities Across Different Sectors,” provided an insightful analysis of energy-efficient systems in smart cities.

Similarly, Dr. Hawileh’s participation in a seminar called "Effects of Hybrid Combinations of GGBS and Fly Ash Replacement to Cement on the Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams" at KAIST showcased AUS' commitment to sustainable construction research.

Presenting at KAIST was not just an opportunity to share our research, but also to learn and bring back innovative practices to AUS. The CEN-IRV program is opening doors for impactful academic exchange,” said Dr. Hawileh.

To know more about the College of Engineering and its faculty research, visit www.aus.edu/cen.