Inaugural AUS Engineering Summer School welcomes international students for a week of innovation and cultural exchange

From classrooms and foundational theories to cutting-edge labs and anime-inspired design challenges, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Engineering Summer School gave university students a new way to experience engineering—by doing, living and sharing it with peers from around the world. The program immersed students in Sharjah’s rich culture, connected them with AUS students and offered insights into AUS, Sharjah and the UAE, paving the way for future collaboration and exchange.

Held from June 15 to 22, the program brought together 18 students from around the globe and eight AUS students for a week-long immersion in innovation, teamwork and cultural exchange at AUS. Selected from more than 280 applicants across 32 countries, the international students represented top global institutions, including Columbia University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Binghamton University (USA); the University of Manchester (UK); Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences (Germany); King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia); Al Akhawayn University (Morocco); the National University of Singapore; and Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Throughout the week, students engaged in workshops led by AUS faculty on topics such as AI-powered learning, electric vehicle technology as well as innovation in engineering. They explored the university’s cutting-edge research facilities and Makerspace, and visited major innovation hubs in the UAE, including the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, the House of Wisdom and Schneider Electric in Dubai—gaining invaluable exposure to industry trends and technologies shaping the future.

A major highlight of the program was the Entrepreneurial Challenge, a design-thinking competition where students worked in diverse teams to develop solutions for beloved Japanese anime characters. Each team was tasked with designing a tool, environment or innovation that could help a character overcome a personal obstacle or enhance their capabilities. Following a period of collaboration and mentoring, the teams pitched their ideas to a panel of external judges. The top two teams were recognized for their creativity, feasibility and impact.

For Columbia University student Hibatullah Shaalan, the experience extended far beyond academics.

“I learned the value of teamwork and collaboration,” she said. “It was incredible to interact with students from different universities and backgrounds. Each person brought something unique, and together we created something really special.”

The summer school was organized by the AUS College of Engineering (CEN), with support from the Office of Student Experience and the Office of International Exchange.

Program Lead Organizer Dr. Mehdi Ghommem, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Outreach, emphasized the program’s goal to promote experiential learning across borders.

“We brought students from different corners of the world into a shared space of learning, creativity and challenge. Watching them collaborate and solve problems together in such a short time was inspiring,” he said. 

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN, sees the initiative as part of a broader educational mission at AUS.

“This program reflects our mission at AUS—to deliver high-impact learning experiences that prepare students to lead in a global, fast-changing world. The combination of knowledge, innovation and diversity we saw this week is exactly what engineering education should offer today. By bringing AUS students together with international peers, we’re fostering the exchange of ideas, encouraging them to learn from one another, and helping them build meaningful networks that can lead to future collaborations—because in today’s world, networking is key.”

The Summer School is one of several initiatives under the CEN Outreach Hub, which offers workshops, bootcamps and experiential programs for high school and university students throughout the year. By connecting young learners to expert faculty, advanced labs and real-world problem-solving opportunities, the hub reinforces AUS’ role as a regional and global center for engineering education and talent development. Click here to learn more.