AUS honors 31 students and alumni for outstanding achievement and impact at CEN Annual Awards

American University of Sharjah (AUS) celebrated the achievements of 31 students and alumni at the College of Engineering (CEN) Annual Awards 2026, presenting 32 honors for excellence in academics, research, leadership, community service, teaching, talent and alumni engagement.

“These awards are an important expression of how CEN defines excellence, not as academic achievement alone, but as the ability to translate knowledge into innovation, leadership and public value. By recognizing research, teaching, service, talent and alumni engagement alongside academic distinction, we are reinforcing the capabilities the UAE’s knowledge economy needs: rigorous thinkers, responsible leaders and collaborative problem-solvers,” said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN. “Our 2026 awardees represent a strong talent pipeline for industry, research and society, and demonstrate what becomes possible when ambition is matched by purpose.”

The CEN Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award recognized graduating students who achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in their respective majors in Summer 2025, Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. The recipients were Shaikha Alshamsi (Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering); Khalid Aboukaram (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering); Timothy Joseph and Amar Aly (Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering); Fatima Shirin and Rana Gharaibeh (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science); Abdallah Saleh (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering); Muhammad Vidha (Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering); and Ali Ahli (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering).

At the graduate level, the CEN Graduate Academic Excellence Award honored the highest-achieving graduating students in their respective programs. The recipients were Heba Abed (Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering); Ahmed Abdulla (Master of Science in Chemical Engineering); Youcef El Berizi (Master of Science in Civil Engineering); Omar Alsarookh (Master of Science in Computer Engineering); Roudha Ali (Master of Science in Construction Management); Mohammad Aziz (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering); Haneen Alrabiah (Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management); Dara Varam (Master of Science in Machine Learning); Kareem Morsi and Mohammed Al Hadi (Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering); Yassin Abdelmeguid (Master of Science in Mechatronics Engineering); and Ryan AlTayeb (PhD in Engineering, Engineering Systems Management).

CEN also recognized research that is advancing knowledge and addressing real-world priorities. Eiman ElGhanam (PhD in Engineering, Engineering Systems Management) received the CEN Graduate Research Excellence Award at the PhD level. Her record includes 10 publications in Q1 and high-impact journals and 16 conference papers and presentations, collectively attracting more than 600 citations. Her research explores intelligent transportation systems, smart electric mobility, charging infrastructure and autonomous mobility-on-demand fleet operations.

Dara Varam (Master of Science in Machine Learning) received the Graduate Research Excellence Award at the master’s level, making him the recipient of two honors at this year’s ceremony. He has produced three publications in Q1 and high-impact journals and three conference papers and presentations, with additional manuscripts in preparation. His work focuses on improving the efficiency and deployability of machine learning and neural models and their real-world applications.

Ayah Jabr (Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering) received the CEN Undergraduate Research Excellence Award. She has authored three book chapters published by Elsevier and Springer Nature, with research spanning energy systems, fuel cell technologies, water treatment and the removal of persistent and emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Omar Abuelezz (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) received the Outstanding CEN Student Leadership Award. As founder and president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Student Branch at AUS, he established a highly active platform and led more than 19 major events in one academic year, including industrial visits, software workshops, the Trane HVAC School program and collaborative campus initiatives.

Reflecting on the values behind the recognition, Abuelezz said: “Leadership isn't proven in the moments people are watching; it's built in the ones they never see. It's the extra hour no one asked for, the standard you hold yourself to when no one's checking. Anyone can lead when the room is full and the stakes are visible; real leadership is the discipline you keep when there's no audience and no credit. That's where you actually become who you say you want to be. Not in the moment of recognition, but in the thousand unseen moments that made the recognition possible.”

Mohammad Abubaker (Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering) received the Outstanding CEN Student Community Service Award. He founded and led the Grow and Connect program, which supported orphaned youth referred by the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation through public-speaking training. His service also included Make Their Winter Warm, For Gaza, UAE Stands with Lebanon and the AUS Farm Initiative.

Two students received the Outstanding CEN Student Talent Award. Ahmed Al-Muslimawi (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) was recognized for exceptional gaming reflexes, reaction speed and strategic creativity as an official Guinness World Record holder for achieving the highest score in Cubefield, exceeding 1.8 million points.

Brahmishtha Bhattacharjee (Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering) was honored for excellence in the performing arts. A professionally trained singer, she has performed at numerous AUS platforms, including Student Recital, Soirée, Viva Musicale, Global Day and the Sharjah Sports Festival.

“Receiving this award is incredibly special to me because it represents something I’ve always enjoyed doing and have continued to grow through. Whether it’s through music or speaking in front of a room, I’ve always loved connecting with people and being able to leave an impact in some way. I’m really grateful to have had so many opportunities at AUS to perform, find my voice and step outside my comfort zone. This award feels like a reminder that the things we do simply because we love them can become some of the most meaningful parts of our journey,” said Bhattacharjee.

The Outstanding CEN Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards recognized graduate students whose professionalism and contributions strengthened teaching and student learning. At the PhD level, Karam Al-Assaf (PhD in Engineering, Engineering Systems Management) was honored for supporting courses across bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, delivering graduate seminars and contributing to Women in Engineering events.

At the master’s level, Ariel Panopio (Master of Science in Machine Learning) was recognized for supporting computer science laboratories, high school boot camps, the AUS School Computing Competition and student workshops. Mohamed Elmohandes (Master of Science in Computer Engineering) was honored for supporting computer engineering laboratories, judging the AUS School Computing Competition and helping develop and deliver the laboratory component of the Cyber-Physical Systems independent study course.

The Most Engaged CEN Alumni Award was presented to His Excellency Khamis Al Mazrouei, a magna cum laude Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering graduate from the Class of 2007 and Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah National Oil Corporation. With more than 15 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Al Mazrouei has maintained a strong relationship with CEN through support for research and student design projects, industry supervision, internships and graduate development opportunities under the CEN Al Nukhba Program, as well as sponsorship of college events. He is also a member of the Sharjah Energy Council and an inductee of the CEN Alumni Hall of Fame.

For more information about the CEN Annual Awards, click here.