Research Centers
AUS research centers play a key role in advancing the university’s vision and mission, driving innovation and tackling critical challenges in areas of high priority to Sharjah and the UAE as well as addressing global challenges. Aligned with AUS' research themes, these centers support interdisciplinary research, focusing on areas of sustainability, manufacturing, healthcare and creative industries—developing solutions that ensure long-term prosperity, drive industrial advancements, enhance public health, and promote cultural and economic growth. AUS also leads in cross-cutting fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, advanced materials and culture and heritage, leveraging its expertise to transform industries and preserve cultural legacy while nurturing innovation. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to research excellence, AUS is shaping the future through discovery and innovation.
Our research centers include:
Materials Research Center (MRC)
Provides advanced materials characterization and fabrication services, integrating specialized equipment, technical expertise and research support. It offers both academic and industrial partners access to advanced instrumentation and training programs, enabling groundbreaking and impactful research.
Director: Dr. Mehmet Egilmez | Professor, Department of Physics, AUS College of Arts and Sciences.
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI)
Collaborates with strategic partners in Sharjah to translate the research innovations and promising ideas of students and faculty members into marketable solutions. It focuses on sustainable development and catalysts for sustainable growth, particularly entrepreneurship and innovation.
Director: Dr. Jay Squalli | Professor, Department of Economics, AUS School of Business Administration.
Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC)
Focuses on practical solutions for rising resource demands in urban areas, and advancing research in energy, water and environmental sustainability. Through sustainable solutions, it optimizes resource use and develops new technologies and infrastructures to address global challenges.
Director: Dr. Mostafa Shaaban | Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering.
Center for Biomedical Innovations (CBI)
Tackles local and global healthcare challenges by advancing innovative research, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, and fostering collaborations to enhance healthcare outcomes and benefit communities.
Director: Dr. Hosni Ghedira | Professor Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.
AI, Robotics and Connected Infrastructure Center (ARC)
Focuses on machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and smart digital infrastructure, including their ethics and business strategies. Research includes AI-driven smart city management, autonomous transportation, IoT-enabled infrastructure, and ethical frameworks for AI and robotics in healthcare, business, and urban development.
Director: Dr. Umit Cali | Professor in Electrical Engineering.
Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC)
Emphasizes the study of the Arabic language, heritage, history, arts and cultures of the Arab and Islamic worlds, offering a specialized perspective that complements and challenges Western approaches to studying Arab and Islamic civilizations.
Director (Interim): Dr. Sammy Badran | Associate Professor in International Studies.
Center for Geospatial Intelligence (CGI)
Advances research in artificial intelligence, remote sensing and geospatial technologies to develop actionable intelligence for challenges in water security, energy transition, environmental monitoring and smart city development. Through GeoAI-driven solutions, it supports sustainable resource management, resilient systems and data-informed decision-making in the UAE and beyond.
