CEN’s Shadow Program opens pathways to engineering through campus experience and peer mentorship

A high school student’s first visit to a university can feel overwhelming, filled with new spaces, unfamiliar routines and questions that are hard to articulate. The Engineering Shadow Program at American University of Sharjah (AUS) turns that first encounter into something grounded and memorable. Instead of simply walking through campus, high school students step into classrooms, enter laboratories, meet faculty and students and spend the day guided by an AUS student mentor who helps translate university life as it happens. 

AUS recently held a recognition ceremony for the Academic Year 2024–2025 edition of the Engineering Shadow Program (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025), honoring the students who shaped the experience on both sides of the mentorship. In total, the ceremony recognized 56 shadows and 46 student mentors, celebrating a growing community that supports students as they explore engineering and computer science through real exposure and peer guidance.

This year’s edition stood out for its momentum across the UAE. The program received more than 130 applications from high school students nationwide, with female students accounting for 60 percent of applicants. The AUS College of Engineering (CEN) continues to lead in expanding access and aspiration in these fields, with women representing 37 percent of total enrollment across its programs.

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN, said the program provides students with an authentic view of what it means to study engineering and computer science and why mentorship matters at the earliest stages of exploration.

“The best way to understand engineering is to experience it in context, surrounded by the people and spaces where learning happens. The Shadow Program gives students a true sense of what they will study, how they will think and how they will grow at AUS, while also helping them understand university life, experience the day-to-day reality of being an AUS engineering student, and overcome any fears they may have about starting this new chapter. This year’s strong interest, especially from young women across the UAE, reflects a wider shift in ambition and opportunity. We are proud that our students are at the center of this program, guiding future engineers and computer scientists with generosity and confidence,” he said.

Led by Program Director Dr. Rana Sabouni, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, the program pairs high school students with current AUS students who act as mentors for a structured campus that shares authentic university life. Across the experience, participants engage with academic and student spaces and have direct conversations with faculty and students, helping them connect what they learn in school to real pathways in engineering and computer science careers.

“Many students arrive with a general interest in engineering, but they leave with a clearer picture of what the journey looks like. The Shadow Program gives them a day that feels authentic, where they can see how learning happens, how students collaborate and how ideas come to life in real spaces. It is a simple experience, but it often becomes the moment students start to imagine their future with real confidence,” said Dr. Sabouni.

That discovery led to one of the year’s most defining moments. For the first time, two student mentors were former shadows who participated in the program’s first edition three years ago. Their journey from visitor to guide reflected the program’s long-term impact and growing popularity and it offered an especially compelling message to new participants: a single day on campus can shape how students see their future and how they later support others in finding theirs.

For Nawal Asif, a Grade 12 student at GEMS Founders School, the experience made engineering feel both practical and personal. “I enjoyed seeing real-world applications of concepts that are helpful in our daily life,” she said. “Meeting professors and current students was very valuable as they shared advice and created a nice environment. The session deepened my interest in engineering and inspired me to explore new possible fields.”

Aisha Mubarak, a Grade 11 student at Al Dhafra Private School, said the day gave her a better understanding of university life. “From the beginning, the environment was welcoming and the structure of the day allowed me to observe and understand university life more clearly,” she said. “My mentor, Sumaya, was friendly and informative, providing a detailed tour and answering all my questions with patience. The experience gave me valuable insight into the academic and social aspects of the university and it left a very positive impression overall.”

The Engineering Shadow Program is part of CEN’s Discover Engineering initiative, which offers a variety of opportunities for high school students considering careers in engineering, including competitions, workshops and mentorship experiences.

For more information about the Engineering Shadow Program, click here.