Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, Founder and Chairman of SEKEM Initiative, visited American University of Sharjah (AUS) yesterday, November 25. He was accompanied by Sheikha Jamila Al Qassimi, Chairperson of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Dr. Amr Abdel-Hamid, Special Advisor to the Ruler of Sharjah for Higher Education. 

Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish started the SEKEM initiative in 1977 in the Egyptian desert, 60 km northeast of Cairo. He used biodynamic agricultural processes to revitalize desert land and thus his agricultural business developed. Regarded today as one of the world's leading social businesses, SEKEM now comprises of an agro-industrial group of NGOs and companies.

According to its website, "The SEKEM initiative was founded to realize the vision of sustainable human development. Its mission is the development of the individual, society and environment through a holistic concept integrating economic, societal and cultural life. Above all, SEKEM aspires to be an impulse for continuous development in all parts of life, to be not only a model for but also a contribution to the development of the entire world."

In 2003, Dr. Abouleish was selected as one of the world's outstanding Social Entrepreneurs by the Schwab Foundation. SEKEM and Dr. Abouleish received the prestigious "Right Livelihood Award", also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize in the same year. 

Accompanied by AUS Chancellor, Dr. Peter Heath, and AUS Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, Salem Al Qaseer, Dr. Abouleish toured the campus and visited the Library and the Student Center.