Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development (CEISD)
Empowering tomorrow’s entrepreneurs to innovate for sustainable impact
CEISD nurtures the next generation of innovators at American University of Sharjah by guiding students, alumni and faculty from ideas to impact. Through hands-on programs, competitions, mentorship and partnerships with Sharjah’s startup ecosystem—including Sheraa and SPARK—CEISD integrates learning, research and real-world entrepreneurship. From the classroom to the market, every initiative is designed to foster sustainable, purpose-driven ventures that create social, environmental and economic value.
- Vision
To empower a new generation of changemakers who transform ideas into impact, CEISD serves as a catalyst for innovation-driven entrepreneurship that advances sustainable development in Sharjah, the UAE and beyond. The center fosters an environment where creativity, collaboration and purpose-driven enterprise flourish.
- Mission
To strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the university and the wider community by connecting talent, ideas and opportunities. CEISD enables students, faculty and partners to ideate, build and scale solutions that drive economic and social value in alignment with the UAE’s national vision for sustainable development.
- Objectives
- Facilitate hands-on entrepreneurship programs, from ideation to scaling, through student membership pathways
- Connect aspiring entrepreneurs from the university community with mentors, industry experts and ecosystem partners to accelerate venture creation and growth
- Support the development of innovative startups through workshops, competitions and incubation opportunities in collaboration, primarily with Sheraa and SPARK
- Promote sustainability-driven entrepreneurship that aligns economic progress with environmental and social impact
- Serve as a university-wide hub that integrates learning, innovation and entrepreneurial action under one collaborative platform
CEISD Voices: Building the Future
Hear from entrepreneurs, students and experts turning bold ideas into real ventures and lasting impact.
Circular Design as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurship: featuring Tapani Jokinen, design consultant and circular-economy strategist, on how founders can integrate sustainability and resource efficiency into the very core of product design and business strategy
Membership and Mentorship
CEISD brings together aspiring entrepreneurs who are passionate about turning ideas into impact. Through its Spark → Shape → Scale pathways, the center guides members from curiosity to venture creation, offering hands-on opportunities to ideate, build and grow within the AUS innovation ecosystem.
What Members Gain
- Access to exclusive entrepreneurship events, startup workshops, clinics and hackathons
- 1:1 mentorship with AUS faculty mentors and alumni founders
- Opportunities to connect with Sheraa and SPARK for pre-incubation and incubation pathways
- Optional team-matching support for students seeking co-founders
Your Path
Our Mentor Community
A cross-AUS mentor pool provides office hours, judges competitions and supports student ventures at the Spark → Shape → Scale stages.
Faculty Mentors
The Faculty Mentor Pool is a CEISD initiative that connects AUS students with faculty members who bring expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship and venture development. Faculty mentors play a key role in guiding student founders through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from early ideation to market validation and pre-incubation.
Dr. Adil Al Tamimi
PhD, University of Strathclyde, UK
Professor of civil engineering specializing in sustainable concrete, 3D-printed concrete and green buildings. He is recognized for earning the UAE’s first patent for structural 3D‑printed concrete.
Ali Khawajah
MBA, American University of Sharjah
A senior instructor specializing in entrepreneurship, technology, AI, blockchain and digital marketing, with a focus on student mentorship and industry collaboration.
Dr. Karnail Singh
PhD, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India
A senior lecturer with experience in academia and corporate research, specializing in reaction engineering, catalysis and chemical engineering.
Dr. Lutfi Albasha
PhD, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Professor of electrical engineering with extensive industry experience in semiconductors and is recognized for contributions to mobile chip design, IEEE/IET publications and international technical committees.
Dr. Peter Inho Nahm
PhD, Texas A&M University, United States
An assistant professor of management specializing in technology and innovation management, strategic leadership and social networks, with publications in top management journals.
Dr. Réka Balog
PhD, Université Paris 8, France
A mentor and educator trained in innovation and entrepreneurship at ESCP Paris who guides students to transform ideas into impactful ventures.
Dana Chamas
MBA, McGill University, Canada
A healthtech innovator and consultant who co-founded a global healthtech company and specializes in technology-driven behavioral change and wellness solutions.
Dr. Mohammad AlHamaydeh
PhD, University of Southern California, United States
A structural engineering professor specializing in nonlinear dynamics, tall building design, earthquake engineering and advanced computational modeling.
Dr. Eid Alotaibi
PhD, Rutgers University, United States
An assistant professor in accounting and information systems and a certified information systems auditor with expertise in accounting information systems. His background combines strong academic credentials with practical experience in teaching and auditing.
Mourad Ben Ayed
MS, HEC Paris, France
A strategist and executive with over 20 years in finance, designing outcome-oriented strategies that drive sustainable growth and social value across corporates, governments and non-profits.
Founders Circle
The Founders Circle is a mentorship network brings together AUS alumni entrepreneurs, business leaders and ecosystem partners to guide the next generation of student innovators. It connects those who have built ventures with those who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey. It also opens doors to new partnerships, business opportunities and investment prospects within Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Abdullah Alshetiwi
Founder of ABGA Systems and Software Trading LLC
Founding Member of the SME hub group under the AUS Alumni Association Dubai Chapter
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Class of 2016), AUS
An innovative entrepreneur and technologist who develops AI-driven platforms and management systems with implementations across multiple countries and sectors.
Ahmed AlQedrah
Founder and CEO of SAKANiTech
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Class of 2008), AUS
An experienced leader and entrepreneur with over 17 years in energy, aviation and infrastructure, and founder of SAKANiTech to transform property management in the UAE.
Anam Tariq
Marketing Professional and Creative Entrepreneur
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing (Class of 2013), AUS
A marketing professional and creative entrepreneur blending storytelling, wellbeing and community-building while growing her calligraphy brand.
Omar Nimer
Product Manager and Entrepreneur
Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design (Class of 2015), AUS
Founder and entrepreneur with expertise in business strategy, product development, and team leadership
Ruba Al Nashash
Co-Founder and COO of Pulse IoT Technologies
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Class of 2010), AUS
Innovator and entrepreneur in advanced technology, actively driving innovation in the UAE’s proptech and construction tech ecosystem
Safwan Elkhatib
Entrepreneur and Mentor
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Class of 2016), AUS
A business leader with a foundation in engineering, project management and regulatory compliance, who founded a home-based perfume brand
Sarah Zoubi
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at AUS
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Finance (Class of 2018), AUS
An expert in entrepreneurship, venture building, innovation and sustainability, empowering founders and students to create impactful and future-ready ventures
Dragon’s Den
CEISD’s Dragon’s Den is the flagship startup pitching competition where shortlisted projects from IEN 301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mindset present their ideas to a panel of judges drawn from Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Top teams receive awards, mentorship and referrals for pre-incubation or incubation.
Dragon’s Den 4 | Expected on May 4, 2026
Events
Panel Discussion Series
Circular Design as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurship | October 21, 2025
Panelists
- Tapani Jokinen, Global Expert in Circular and Strategic Design, TJ-Design
- Dr. Peter Inho Nahm, Department of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, School of Business Administration, AUS
- Dr. Hasnan Baber, Department of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, School of Business Administration, AUS
- Anthony D'Arcy, Head of Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement and Enablement, Nokia
Moderator:
- Dr. Sohail Dahdal, Department of Media Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, AUS
Founder Talk Series
Game to Game-Changer: How Passion Fuels Innovation | October 28, 2025
Featuring Omar Ghanem (AUS ’18), in conversation with Reka Balog
Workshops
Ideation Workshop | November 17, 2025
Leadership
Advisory Board
Najla Al-Midfa | Vice-Chairperson, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)
Nader Amiri | General Partner, Homegrown Ventures
Nicola Bettio | Director, Academia and Industry Partnerships, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK)
Dr. Adil AlZarooni | CEO, Al Zarooni Emirates Investments
Director
Dr. Jay Squalli | Professor, Department of Economics, AUS School of Business Administration
Deputy Director
Dr. Sohail Dahdal | Associate Professor, Department of Media Communication, AUS College of Arts and Sciences
