His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), approved a number of resolutions pertaining to the growth, development and efficient functioning of the university, during a meeting of the AUS Board of Trustees held today, December 9, at the university campus.

As Chair of the AUS Board of Trustees, the Sharjah Ruler reviewed and approved resolutions, including the approval of the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended 2017/2018. The auditors of the institution, KPMG, issued an unqualified audit opinion and complemented the university on its exemplary controls and strong balance sheet. The new AUS Strategic Plan 2018-2022 was discussed and approved by the board and endorsed by the Ruler. Likewise, the Organizational Chart, the updated Organizational Plan (FOP) and several changes to the Faculty Handbook were also approved.

Further, the board approved and the Ruler endorsed a significant increase in merit-based scholarships to highly qualified undergraduate students. This is all part of the new university sustainable five-year plan.

His Highness also expressed satisfaction at the university’s growth and progress, especially in terms of research, and its future plans and thanked the board members for their hard work and support.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS, said:

“As our university moves ahead on the path to becoming one of the region’s leading centers of research and scholarship, we reaffirm our commitment to engaging and collaborating with the industrial and corporate sectors to find remedies for challenges facing the region. As mandated by His Highness, AUS has always striven for excellence and this commitment was recently acknowledged with the university being honored by the UAE Pioneers Award as a prestigious center for research and science in the UAE.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his guidance and leadership. On behalf of the AUS faculty and staff, I would also like to thank all the other members of the AUS Board of Trustees for their support,” he added.