Season of possibilities: AUS Sharakah Program engages partner schools to nurture a dynamic educational ecosystem

October and November 2025 were alive with color, curiosity and connection at American University of Sharjah (AUS), as the Office of Enrollment Management-Sharakah Program welcomed hundreds of students, educators and school partners from across the UAE for a packed season of events on campus. Covering everything from reading and design to sustainability, careers and computing, each event offered high school students new ways to explore their talents and imagine their future.

The AUS Sharakah Program, part of the university's community engagement initiative, aims to foster partnerships with select UAE schools through engaging teachers and students with various events, workshops, academic activities and sports competitions. It also offers exclusive scholarships to students from Sharakah partner schools.

Celebrating the written word

The season began with the Sharakah Reading Festival, a vibrant celebration of reading culture that drew more than 800 high schoolers to campus. Stepping into the venue, visitors found book displays, a book swap corner buzzing with conversation and a lively cosplay competition where students brought their favorite characters to life.

In collaboration with Sharjah Libraries, more than 1,000 books were gifted to students during the festival, encouraging them to build their own personal libraries and continue reading long after the event. The highlight of the day was an engaging talk by Armen Adamjan, creator of the popular Creative Explained series, who is known for simplifying science through fun and practical demonstrations. His stories of curiosity, experimentation and discovery kept students leaning forward in their seats, sparking new ideas about how learning can be playful, hands-on and deeply rewarding.

Honoring educators who shape futures

In recognition of the partnership that underpins the Sharakah Program, AUS welcomed over 180 school principals and counselors for the Sharakah Principals and Counselors Appreciation Day. The gathering marked 15 years of collaboration with Sharakah partner schools, honoring the essential role educators play in guiding students’ academic journeys and opening doors to future opportunities.

The day was an opportunity to celebrate long-standing relationships, share experiences and explore new ways to work together to support students. It also reaffirmed Sharakah’s commitment to treating principals and counselors as key partners in building a strong educational ecosystem across the UAE.

Designing solutions for a sustainable future

Sustainability took center stage during the Sharakah Sustainability Hackathon 2025 Workshop, where more than 100 high school students and their supervisors spent the day brainstorming and prototyping ideas for a greener world.

Working in teams, students were challenged to think critically about environmental issues and propose forward-looking solutions that could make a real difference in their schools and communities. The workshop environment encouraged them to ask questions, test assumptions and see themselves as problem-solvers capable of contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Stepping into real-world opportunities

For many students, their first experience of a professional interview happened at AUS during Sharakah Career Day. The event recreated a realistic interview environment, giving participants the chance to sit across from experienced interviewers, answer questions, receive constructive feedback and reflect on their performance.

Through mock interviews and coaching, students strengthened their communication skills, built confidence and gained a clearer understanding of how to present themselves in job interviews, scholarship applications and university admissions. The experience helped students connect what they are learning in school to the expectations of the workplace and higher education.

Creativity takes to the sky

Outdoors, imagination and teamwork came together in the Aeroquest Kite Competition, where more than 80 talented students turned the sky into their canvas. Teams designed, built and flew their own kites, experimenting with shapes, colors and structures while learning about balance, aerodynamics and collaboration.

The competition created a festive atmosphere of friendly rivalry and shared excitement, as students cheered for one another and celebrated every successful takeoff.

Exploring the future of design

At the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) Symposium and Open House, creativity was explored in studios, lecture halls and workshops across CAAD. Over 100 high school students and counselors spent the day engaging with renowned educators, designers and innovators who are shaping the future of design education.

Through hands-on sessions and inspiring talks, participants learned about fields such as architecture, interior design, design management, graphic design, film and new media. The event helped students see how their interests in art, design and technology could translate into meaningful academic and career pathways.

Coding, robotics and the world of computing

Technology enthusiasts found their home at AUS during the High School Computing Boot Camp, which welcomed more than 50 students from grades 10 to 12. Over one intensive day, participants joined immersive workshops in web development and robotics, discovering key computing concepts and building real projects from scratch.

Guided by AUS faculty and mentors, students experimented with code, tested robots, and learned how digital skills can power innovation in virtually every field. The experience helped demystify computing and encouraged students to continue exploring technology beyond the bootcamp.

A season with lasting impact

“Each of these events is a doorway—into a new idea, a new skill or a new connection. Through the Sharakah Program, we want students and educators from our partner schools to feel that AUS is their campus, too: a place where they can explore, experiment, design, compete and plan for their futures. This season of engagement showed how powerful it is when schools and universities work closely together to support young people’s growth,” said Hala Al Jundi, Sharakah Program Officer at AUS.

Wafa Hamze, Counselor at International Community Schools Mushrif, reflected on the impact of the AUS Sharakah Program on her students.

“The AUS Sharakah Program offers ICS students a wealth of opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Through scholarships that make studying at AUS a reality, as well as participation in sports, STEM projects, Heritage Day and interactive workshops, students gain real-world experience, explore their passions, and develop leadership and teamwork skills,” she said.

She added: “Through this collaboration, students broaden their horizons, strengthen their academic and personal abilities and prepare for university life, especially as they become aware of the diverse majors AUS offers. The exposure, opportunities, and scholarship support provided by AUS inspire them to pursue their dreams, build confidence and grow into well-rounded individuals ready to succeed in higher education and beyond,” she added.

With a rich calendar of activities and strong partnerships with schools across the UAE, the AUS Sharakah Program creates meaningful experiences that inspire students, empower educators and strengthen ties within the wider educational community. For further information about the AUS Sharakah Program, please visit www.aus.edu/sharakah.