Sultan expresses satisfaction at AUS growth and progress

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), has expressed satisfaction at the growth and advancement of the university as well as at its future plans. His remarks came on the occasion of the university's Board of Trustees meeting held on campus today, June 8.

The Sharjah Ruler reviewed a number of initiatives approved by the board for the forthcoming year. He said that the university was committed to following the course set by its vision and mission and, therefore, all its plans and initiatives were conceived keeping that in mind. His Highness also thanked members of the board for their commitment to the university.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan approved the expansion project of the AUS College of Engineering which includes the construction of a major new facility including state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories for engineering and physics. The expansion is in synch with the university's goals of becoming a high-quality center for education and research in the region. The AUS board passed a resolution thanking His Highness for his generous support in making this expansion project possible. The board said that this addition to the campus will reinforce the Sharjah Ruler's vision of making AUS a self-sustaining institution of higher education with a world-class reputation for academic excellence, enhancing its growth in quality, reputation and visibility throughout the Gulf region and beyond.

"All our strategic initiatives are set in close alignment with His Highness' vision of the university, and we are truly grateful to Sheikh Dr. Sultan for his support and guidance," said Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Acting Chancellor of AUS. He added that a number of important issues were discussed during the meeting pertaining to the future growth and operational plans of the university.

The board also approved the term extension of Charles Cotton and Baroness Onora O'Neill as board members.

He said that the board passed a number of resolutions, including one approving the fiscal year 2015 operating budget. The members also approved resolutions sanctioning faculty promotions as well as the awarding of rolling-contracts to successful faculty members. To enhance the structural and operational efficiency of the university, the board also approved resolutions dealing with a university risk management policy, and with high priority renovation projects on campus, among others.

The Board of Trustees is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of AUS.

Members of the AUS Board of Trustees executive committee are:Mr. Joseph L. Brand, Senior Partner, Patton Boggs LLP, Washington, DC, USA; Dr. Leroy S. Fletcher, Regents Professor Emeritus and Thomas A. Dietz Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, USA; Mr. Hamid D. Jafar, Chairman and CEO, Crescent Petroleum Company, Sharjah; Dr. Cornelius Kerwin, President, American University, Washington, DC, USA; Mr. Riad T. Sadek, Chairman of Al Habtoor Leighton Group, Dubai.

Also on the board are: Dr. Ali Abdullah Al Shamlan, Former Minister of Higher Education, Kuwait; Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, President, Drew University, New Jersey, USA; Professor Lord Alec Broers, Member of the British House of Lords, UK; Dr. Anthony George Coates, Director of the Museum of Biodiversity, the Bridge of Life, Republic of Panama, and Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution, USA; Mr. Charles Cotton, Director of Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge, UK; Mr. Abdul Jalil Yousuf Darwish, Chairman of UAE Enterprises Group; Dr. Roderick S. French, Chancellor Emeritus, AUS; Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, AUS Acting Chancellor; Mr. Varouj Nerguizian, Executive Director and General Manager, Bank of Sharjah, UAE;Dr. S. Georgia Nugent, former President of Kenyon College, Ohio, USA; Baroness Onora O'Neill of Bengarve, CBE PBA FMedSci, Member of the British House of Lords, UK; and Mr. Maroun A. Semaan, CEO, Alcazar Capital Limited, Dubai, UAE. The meeting was also attended by senior AUS officials.

The meeting was also attended by senior AUS officials and representatives of the AUS Student Council and the AUS Faculty Senate.