AUS hosts Arab-German cultural and academic encounter

American University of Sharjah (AUS) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Germany in Dubai and the Northern Emirates welcomed approximately 100 guests to an evening of scholarship and dialogue as the Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilization (CASIC) hosted Bridges of Scholarship and Culture: An Arab-German Encounter on campus on February 11. The event was co-hosted by Her Excellency Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai.

The event brought together senior academics, diplomats and cultural figures, including Her Excellency Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai; Dr. Claudia Römmelt, General Director, Goethe-Institut Gulf Region; Dr. Tod A. Laursen, AUS Chancellor; Dr. Matthias Ruth, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost; Shaima Bin Taliah, Vice Chancellor for Student Experience; Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Relations; Her Excellency Aisha Rashid Deemas, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority and Member of the Sharjah Executive Council; Maysa Saif Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority; and Faisal Al Amiri, Chairman of the Al Amiri Group and Board Member of the Deutsch-Emiratische Industrie und Handelskammer, Sharjah.

The evening's keynote was delivered online from Germany by Dr. Beate Ulrike La Sala, author and faculty member at Goethe University Frankfurt. Titled "Bridges of Scholarship and Culture: The Contribution of German Scholars to Arab and Islamic Studies," her address traced the discipline's evolution from the 19th century to the present, exploring themes of philological rigor, historical contextualization and intellectual exchange across Arabic literature, Islamic theology, philosophy and cultural studies. Dr. La Sala also highlighted contemporary collaborative frameworks such as the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which supports sustained transregional academic partnerships.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from CASIC Director Dr. Nuha Alshaar, followed by addresses from Dr. Brahimi and Chancellor Laursen. Her Excellency the Consul General Sybille Pfaff then offered reflections on Arab-German cultural relations before the evening concluded with a live performance by Nagham Band and dinner on the AUS Main Plaza.

Dr. Alshaar reflected on the significance of the occasion: "Events like this create space for encounter, curiosity and respect. They allow scholars, students and institutions to move beyond narratives shaped by distance or misunderstanding and to engage directly with the richness of each other's intellectual traditions. We hope this evening marks the beginning of a sustained and meaningful partnership."

Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Relations, underscored the strategic importance of the collaboration: "AUS has long been committed to building bridges with leading international institutions, and our engagement with the German consulate and academia exemplifies this. We look forward to translating the dialogue of this evening into future opportunities for our students, our faculty and the broader academic community."

“Knowledge, research and academic exchange can be instruments in building a better future together. We must learn to redirect our focus towards what unites us today and what binds us for the future, rather than concentrating on what divides us. The exchange of ideas between scholars from the field of Arabic and Islamic studies and the collaboration between academic institutions from the Arab and German world is one example of how this can happen,” said Her Excellency Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai.

The event provided a platform for discussions on future academic collaboration, including student and faculty exchange, joint research initiatives and potential partnerships supported by programs such as DAAD, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. AUS students in attendance had the opportunity to engage directly with the German Consulate General team and other leaders in attendance.

“Part of our role at CASIC is to deepen academic and public understanding of Arab and Islamic civilizations through rigorous research and meaningful engagements,” added Dr. Alshaar. “The evening was a fantastic example of mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding. We see many possibilities for future Arab-German academic and research partnerships going forward.” 

To learn more about CASIC and its research programs, events and collaboration opportunities, visit www.aus.edu/research/research-centers.