From research to impact: AUS celebrates dual recognition at Khalifa Award for Education

American University of Sharjah (AUS) continues to foster an environment where innovation flourishes across every corner of campus. This spirit of excellence was affirmed at the 18th Khalifa Award for Education, where both a distinguished faculty member and an exceptional student from AUS were recognized for their contributions to education, research and innovation.

Established under the patronage of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Khalifa Award for Education is one of the UAE’s most prestigious national accolades in the education sector. It celebrates outstanding contributions across various levels, including general and higher education, educational research, institutional performance and innovative projects. This year's recognition exemplifies that tradition, with Dr. Jamal Abdalla receiving the Distinguished University Professor Award in the Higher Education Field, recognizing his decades-long dedication to civil engineering education, pioneering research and exemplary service to the academic and professional community.

Dr. Abdalla earned his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley and completed postdoctoral studies at Stanford University. His academic journey has taken him from the University of Khartoum to Qatar University and finally to AUS, where he has made enduring contributions across teaching, research, curriculum design and accreditation. He has authored over 290 scholarly publications and has been listed among the world’s top 2 percent scientists for four consecutive years.

“This recognition is deeply personal,” said Dr. Abdalla. “It affirms the value of sustained dedication to education, research and public service—especially when these efforts are tied to improving lives and strengthening communities.”

Among his most notable contributions is his groundbreaking research on seismic hazard assessment in the UAE. This work has directly influenced local building codes and enhanced the safety of buildings and other structural systems in the country. As an early adopter of digital instruction, Dr. Abdalla introduced online teaching methods to AUS’ College of Engineering as early as 2003. His leadership in accreditation has played a key role in shaping the assessment and evaluation processes of civil engineering programs both regionally and globally. One of his self-study reports was selected as a model for good practice by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and has since served as a reference for many programs across the region and internationally. Dr. Abdalla is a Fellow of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute and was the first recipient of AUS’ Roderick French Distinguished Service Award. He is also a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists and continues to serve as an ABET Program Evaluator internationally.

Through every role and recognition, his mission remains clear: to empower students, advance the frontiers of engineering knowledge and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity.

Innovation rooted in sustainability: Ahmad Al Qawasmi’s Go3DGreen journey

While faculty excellence often sets the tone, it’s students like Ahmad Ghandi AlQawasmi who embody the future AUS seeks to shape. A computer engineering student with an entrepreneurial spark and an environmental conscience, AlQawasmi is the sole student and youngest recipient this year in the Innovative Educational Projects and Programs category—a remarkable feat that speaks volumes of his vision.

His award-winning initiative, Go3DGreen, is a multi-faceted project that merges education, environmental sustainability and technological innovation. It includes Silicinter, a 3D printer built entirely from recycled electronics; 3DGreen, a device that transforms plastic waste into usable 3D printing filament; and 3DLUX, a start-up that creates fashion accessories from repurposed materials.

“This project started as a high school prototype and evolved into a national platform for sustainability and education,” said Al Qawasmi. “What drives me is the belief that we, as students, have the tools and the responsibility to drive environmental change.”

Go3DGreen has garnered national acclaim. The project was shortlisted among 12 finalists in the Make it in the Emirates competition and won the UAE Innovates Award in 2024. In a parallel achievement, Al Qawasmi was honored with the Dubai Customs Award for developing an AI-powered platform that helps protect intellectual property, further underscoring his ability to bridge engineering with pressing policy needs.

His innovations are already being introduced in UAE schools as part of sustainability education programs, and his workshops have engaged hundreds of students. Meanwhile, 3DLUX is growing as a business in the emerging sustainable consumer goods market.

“At AUS, I found the mentorship and the space to pursue meaningful innovation,” he added. “This award is a reminder that student-led ideas can—and should—contribute to national priorities.”

A shared culture of aspiration

Reflecting on these achievements, Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering, said: “At AUS, we foster a culture where academic excellence meets innovation for societal good. It’s inspiring to see both a faculty member and a student recognized at the national level for their impact. It speaks to the strength of our community.”

Dr. Aloul, the first AUS recipient of the Khalifa Award for Education in 2009 under the category of Distinguished University Professor Award in the Higher Education Field, continues to champion a vision where faculty and students lead together in research, innovation and public engagement.

As AUS celebrates this latest recognition, the message is clear: when excellence is nurtured—from the depth of academic leadership to the spark of student initiative—it becomes a powerful force for progress.

To learn more about the college that both achievers proudly represent, visit www.aus.edu/cen.