AUD Review spring-summer 2015 by audmarcom

audreview

Spring/Summer 2015

A PUBLICATION BY THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI

TIME TO SHINE

Download the AUD Mobile App!

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Within and outside of the sphere of education, attitudes towards the word “excellence” vary. There are those who fear the word because of just how unsettling it can be. Mediocrity is so often so comfortable. The path of least resistance is so easily travelled. Others are proficient at using the word, but the reality simply doesn’t deliver on the rhetoric. The art of hype and masquerade become a successful modus vivendi. Still others have faith in the real thing and the courage to cultivate and defend it. In writing In Search of Excellence more than 30 years ago, Peters and Waterman provided the world with an empirical (well, almost!) treatise on excellence. This single book, with this singular title, was probably the most influential work in the sphere of management thinking and practice in the last decades of the twentieth century. Jim Collins’ Great by Choice, written just a few years ago, belongs to the same family of publications that invite us all to “wake up and smell the coffee.” The mission of The American University in Dubai specifically references “excellence in teaching and learning.” This phrase is self-explanatory and all-encompassing. It begs for excellence in all that leads to an uncommon level of educational effectiveness as measured by the imparting, acquisition and pursuance of knowledge. And the mission goes on to link this excellence to the intellectual, personal and professional development of students (presumably, by all members of the university community). Just in the last two weeks, I was told by two members of different accrediting bodies visiting AUD that our mission was among the very best university statements of purpose that they had every read. Meritocracies favor excellence. That’s just a matter of fact. Rewarding excellence is fundamental to any organization’s “walking the talk” when it comes to claims of searching for the sublime. The challenges faced by all institutions of higher learning in the UAE are well known to all of us, but I am pleased to say that AUD is doing very well, thank you, when it comes to recognizing the excellence personified by its students, faculty and staff. Mechanisms for rewarding excellence are alive and well at AUD, and many of those put into motion over the last year are captured in this issue of the AUD Review. I trust you will find the reading informative and inspiring; and if you are an AUD stakeholder – which most of you are – I hope that this issue enhances your ambition to play a noticeable role in pushing AUD along the continuum of excellence. Warm regards,

Lance E. de Masi President

CONTENTS 1 From the President’s Desk 4 Special report: Graduation 12 Student Services news 15 Admissions news 16 Architecture, Art & Design news

18 AUD Sports news 20 Health and hope This year’s Outstanding Student

Club, Peer Health Educators, is going from strength to strength

22 Valedictorian Wael Bou Ajram, AUD’s Class of 2015 Valedictorian, discusses his approach to professional life

24 Communications news 25 Arts & Sciences news 26 Engineering news

36 Breaking Boundaries

27 Business Administration news

32 Pipe Dream

41 AUD Forum

Flounder Lee, Assistant Professor of Studio Art, on the inspiration behind his award-winning installation

Sandra Alexander, Assistant Professor of Humanities, on the need for ethics and critical thinking

34 An Inquisitive Mind

Published by the Office of Marketing Communications Reina S. Dib, Joy Semaan

20 This year’s AMIC conference, hosted by AUD, highlighted the crosscultural power of social media channels

Dr. Mohammad Obeidat on regional female leaders and Dr. Nadia Wardeh on modernized Emirati culture

45 Alumni Profile

Alumni members Hassan Khayal and Fatma Rashid recall how AUD set them on the path to career success

www.facebook.com/AUDubai

www.linkedin.com/company/american-university-in-dubai

www.twitter.com/#!/AUDubai

www.youtube.com/user/AUDChannel

www.instagram.com/audubai

@AUDubai

SPECIAL REPORT

MOMENTOUS MOMENT Class of 2015 graduates in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed

packed audience of 5,000 was in attendance for AUD’s 18th commencement ceremony at Dubai World Trade Center, including guest of honor Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The momentous occasion, on the evening of May 10 2015, was also attended by several other very special guests including Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Lt. General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and Matar Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman and CEO of Dubai Roads and Transport

Authority. The presence of so many dignitaries was a reflection of the stellar reputation that AUD has build in the UAE community over the years. Rousing renditions of the UAE and USA national anthems signalled the start of the ceremony, before AUD’s Executive Vice-President Elias Bou Saab welcomed His Highness and acknowledged his strong support to the university over the last 20 years. Reflecting on the changing landscape, Bou Saab continued: “We have

witnessed a record achievement with the rapid development of Dubai into a major global center. An achievement not only in first-class infrastructure but also in the development of an education system, medical system and full service economy that is sustainable, safe, diverse and innovative. “Dubai and the UAE are viewed in a new league and are an example for the modern world. We at AUD have witnessed and admired this evolution. But the question always remains how

You should always find a way to achieve your dreams – work hard for them and never give up”

SPECIAL REPORT

did all of this happen in such a short time. The answer is very simple – the vision of a leader, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum.” Bou Saab highlighted that 1,500 out of nearly 5,000 AUD students have graduated with scholarships from His Highness, with many now holding key leadership roles in the UAE and abroad. He also addressed the graduating Class of 2015, imploring them to reach for the stars. “You have all learned from the Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed how to dream big, think big, achieve big. “You should always find a way to achieve your dreams – work hard for them and never give up. The more persistent you are, the more likely you are to succeed.” Concluding his speech, Bou Saab introduced New York-based CNN correspondent Sara Ganim, who shared her inspirational story. The young American reporter, of Lebanese and German descent, gained fame for her work exposing the abuse scandal surrounding Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky. Aside from her prestigious journalism accolades, namely a Pulitzer Prize in 2012,

As you confront life’s challenges and embrace its opportunities, look to your very nature for strength and courage” Ganim’s passion for the profession left a memorable impression on the audience. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

Nearly 500 undergraduate and graduate students from almost 50 different nationalities received their Americanaccredited degrees across various fields including Architecture, Business Administration, Communication and Information Studies, Construction Management, Education, Engineering, Interior Design, International Studies, and Visual Communication. From the many talented students, one graduate stood out and that was Class of 2015 Valedictorian Wael Bou Ajram, who gave an inspiring speech filled with admiration and optimism. Ajram also offered his sincere gratitude to His Highness and drew parallels between the graduates of the university and Dubai itself. “During our time at AUD, we graduates have matured and developed. And so has

Dubai. We’ve overcome obstacles with grace and determination. And so has Dubai. At the center of these two parallel paths: the path of AUD graduates and the path of Dubai, stands your Highness. “Your leadership, commitment, and generosity have been the link between these two roads, and I experienced this generosity myself when I was granted your scholarship to attend AUD. So I’d like to thank you for being the role model that you are and for always teaching us to win, be victorious, and to love,” he said while giving the three-finger salute made famous by the Ruler of Dubai. One of the most poignant moments of the evening was when Ajram told AUD President Dr. Lance de Masi that the Class of 2015 would always work hard to make him proud. WORDS OF WISDOM

Before the night concluded, President de Masi took to the stage for a final few words of advice for the hundreds of

SPECIAL REPORT SCHOOL AWARDS The recipient of the Master of Business Administration Award 2015 was Mr. Lotfi Elati, presented by Dean Dr. Mohammed Abu Ali. The recipient of the Master of Education Award 2015 was Ms. Hajirah Naseer, presented by Dean Dr. Catherine Hill. The recipient of the Master of Science in Construction Management Award 2015 was Ms. Alexandra Semaan, presented by Dean Dr. Alaa Ashmawy. The recipient of the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication Award 2015 was Ms. Dima Abusamra, presented by Dean Mr. Ali Jaber. The recipient of School of Architecture, Art and Design Award 2015 was Ms. Payal Thakwani, presented by Dean Dr. Nabyl Chenaf. The recipient of the School of Arts and Sciences Award 2015 was Ms. Jourie Kolthoum, presented by Dean Dr. Haitham Solh. The recipient of the School of Business Administration Award 2015 was Ms. Nora Gad, presented by Dean Dr. Mohammed Abu Ali. The recipient of the School of Engineering Award 2015 was Mr. Georges Zaki Mankarious, presented by Dean Dr. Alaa Ashmawy.

celebratory AUD graduates who were about to start a new chapter in their lives. He asked them to reflect on their role in a world that is increasingly ruled by technology, with three “musts”: don’t just connect but really communicate, learn to be patient in the age of instant gratification and don’t follow the herd. President de Masi went on to recall The Story of the Seagull and the Cat that Taught her How to Fly by Chilean author Luis Sepúlveda. “Only those who dare to fly, fly,” de Masi reminded the AUD Class of 2015 graduates. “Equipped with devices and gadgets, you have more tools than any generation in history. But as you confront life’s challenges and embrace its opportunities, look to your very nature for strength and courage; and dare, dare to fly. For harnessing what makes you ‘human’ is the breakthrough for achieving what Steve Jobs’ called: results that make your heart sing.” De Masi’s closing words brought another rapturous round of applause during a night to remember. For the graduating Class of 2015 and their proud families, it was one they will never forget. n

PROGRAM AND MAJOR AWARDS

Program and Major Awards were handed out to the students that achieved the highest CGPA in their undergraduate programs and majors. At the Gala Dinner, AUD faculty members distributed the 2015 Program and Major Awards to the following recipients: Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication • Outstanding Journalism Student Award – Sandy Mustafa • Outstanding Digital Production and Storytelling Student Award – Cheun Keung Jackie Chee School of Architecture, Art and Design • Outstanding Architecture Student Award – Bushra Shakhsheer • Outstanding Interior Design Student Award – Payal Thakwani • Outstanding Visual Communication Student Award – Heela Daudzai • Outstanding Advertising Student Award – AbdulGhani Al Nahawi • Outstanding Digital Media Student Award – Afroz Nawaf • Outstanding Photography Student Award – Amna Jawad • Outstanding Studio Art Student Award – Mohammed Hindash School of Business Administration • Outstanding Finance Student Award – Krisha Metha • Outstanding Management Student Award – Alexey Ereshchenko • Outstanding Marketing Student Award – Bianca Jhaveri • Outstanding Marketing Communications Student Award – Jehana Jabbar School of Engineering • Outstanding Civil Engineering Student Award – Ahmad Kadoura • Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Award – Anant Mohan • Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Student Award – Jalal Al Lami

AWARDS

SHINING LIGHTS

he AUD community celebrated the outstanding work of faculty and staff members with the 2015 President’s Awards and Provost’s Awards. The annual President’s Awards recognize winners in the categories of Teaching Excellence, Institutional Effectiveness, Distinguished Service and Student Excellence. President Dr. Lance de Masi handed out the Award for Teaching Excellence to Dr. Sandra Alexander, Assistant Professor of Humanities. Dr. de

Stand-out faculty and staff members recognized by the President and the Provost Masi described Sandra as a beacon of “ethical thinking and behavior” that brings “dynamism, optimism and patience to the classroom” and integrates scholarship with “inspiring and leading edge” teaching sessions. He also praised her “uncommonly high standards that do not interfere

with popularity” and stated that she “never forgets the student behind the student number”. Next up was the Award for Institutional Effectiveness, which Dr. de Masi presented to Dr. Udo Braendle, Chair of the Department of Business and Economics and Associate Professor

AWARDS

of Management. Dr. de Masi remarked: “Tonight’s honoree has indeed been a behind-the-scenes element in forging a relationship with one of our school’s professional accrediting bodies. In the thick of tension, debate and sometimes even finger-pointing and insult, he always, always keeps a big broad smile.” The President’s Award for Distinguished Service went to Dr. Catherine Hill, Dean of the School of Education. De Masi highlighted how she consistently devises “flawless proposals that truly advance AUD’s agenda” and has obtained recognition for AUD nationally and abroad. He also noted Catherine’s principle that “each student matters” while never shying

away from “accepting an additional burden or making an additional sacrifice out of institutional interest”. One student was singled out by Dr. de Masi. Wael Bou Ajram, who graduated as Valedictorian with a 4.0 CGPA, was the proud winner of the President’s Award for Student Excellence. FACULTY RECOGNITION

Another occasion which recognized outstanding faculty members was the 2015 Provost’s Awards. Selected by a committee, chaired by Dr. Jihad Nader, the Provost’s Awards honor the exceptional individuals that demonstrate excellence and creativity in their respective fields.

The categories include Innovation in Teaching, Outstanding Research, Creativity in Design and the Visual Arts, and Professional Engagement and Community Outreach. The 2015 Provost’s Award for Innovation in Teaching went to Prof. Michael Rice, Associate Professor of Studio Art. Joining AUD in September 2014, Michael innovated the curriculum of his department by adding concepts and technologies that opened up opportunities for students. For instance, Michael installed his own ceramic kiln at the university and integrated ceramics and glass into his Studio Art syllabi. This enabled a new type of student work to

AWARDS

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

flourish and be displayed at student exhibitions, resulting in wide coverage in the national press. There were also campus visits by two internationally renowned glass and ceramic artists, one of whom conducted a workshop on kiln formed glass – a first at AUD. The winner of the 2015 Provost’s Award for Outstanding Research was Professor of Computer Science, Dr. Mulhim Al Doori. Since joining AUD in 2000, Mulhim has steadily climbed the ranks, from Assistant Professor to Full Professor. “Teaching a wide range of courses in his field, and researching an even wider range of topics in strikingly diverse disciplines, he has especially focused on cutting-edge applications of information technology and computer science,” added Dr. Nader. In 2014-2015, Dr. Al Doori’s research work included the coeditorship of a book of readings titled ‘3D Geoinformation Science’ and six published articles in refereed journals or conference proceedings, on topics ranging from 3D web services to big data and cloud management. The Provost’s Award 2015 for Creativity in Design and the Visual

Arts went to Prof. Flounder Lee, Assistant Professor of Studio Art. His winning creation, Water Works, was commissioned by Dubai Culture for the 2015 Sikka Art Fair during Dubai Art Week. It made inventive use of 1.1 km of pipes, more than 3500 fittings and a 20-minute soundtrack themed around water. Last but not least, the Provost’s Award 2015 for Professional Engagement and Community Outreach was handed to Prof. Dina Faour, Associate Professor of Advertising. “Ms. Faour is a role model with her remarkable dynamism, initiative, enthusiasm, and her exceptionally continuous and wideranging outreach and professional engagement,” said Dr. Nader. As well as mentoring students for the Dubai Lynx Festival of Creativity 2015, activities that Prof. Faour initiated included The Brandvertising Series of talks, workshops and shows, the Perpendicular Student Thesis Exhibition, the BrownBook Magazine Guest Talk and the Middle East Design Educators Association. n

AUD’s President Dr. Lance de Masi and board member Joseph Ghossoub were both crowned International Advertising Association (IAA) ‘Champions’ in recognition of their immense contribution towards the industry. Awards were presented at the association’s grand Inspire Award ball where select members were lauded for their influence and contributions. These included members who achieved leadership excellence, contributing their ideas and services for the benefit of the IAA, and those who offered their professional expertise to inspire the marketing communications industry locally, regionally and globally. Prior to joining the university, Dr. de Masi held various high-level management positions in the USA, UK, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and, most recently, Dubai with the IMPACT/ BBDO advertising agency where he served for six years as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Joseph Ghossoub, Chairman of G&Co and former IAA World President is one of the most prominent spokespeople in the region’s communications industry today. With a career spanning three decades, he is perhaps best known for his role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MENA Communications Group (MENACOM) from 2008 to March 2015. Covering the full spectrum of marketing communications, IAA is a one-of-a-kind strategic partnership that involves stakeholders from multiple disciplines including advertisers, media companies, agencies, direct marketing firms and individual practitioners. Presently boasting 4,000 members, IAA stands out for its influence and place in today’s community.

SPECIAL REPORT

BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES UAE workers broaden their horizons with English classes

ontemporary linguistics expert Frank Smith is well known for stating: “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” Smith’s quote could sum up the overriding sentiment during the Graduation Ceremony for the 7th Annual English Classes for UAE workers, hosted by the AUD International Aid Society (AIA) in partnership with Adopt-a-Camp. Nearly 200 workers and 50 volunteers from around the UAE took

part in the English language classes, which ran for nine weeks at AUD. “The graduation ceremony and dinner are always a heart-warming experience for everyone,” said Sharon Albuquerque, President of AUD International Aid Society. “The students have worked so hard and they deserve a great ceremony for their efforts and accomplishments during the course. We had students making speeches in English; some gave gifts to their teachers and to us too! These are truly a testament

to their growing confidence and vocabulary of the language.” Certificates and gifts were handed out to the graduating students during the ceremony, which was attended by guest of honor Mr. Ahmad Farhan from the Ministry of Labor. Later on, Saher Shaikh, founder of Adopt-a-Camp, announced the three students from the Advanced Level that were selected for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scholarship, awarded by the Dr. Manu Kulkarni Scholarship Fund. The ceremony was followed by a graduation dinner held by the AIA and Adopt-a-Camp at AUD, where students and volunteers interacted with each other. Albuquerque added: “I hope all students do return for the classes in the future and spread the word to their friends. I’m grateful to have gotten the opportunity to be a part of such a great program; I’m confident that the incoming AIA team will do a great job and make the classes even bigger and better in the next year!” n

HELPING HAND AUD was awarded by the UAE Ministry of Labor for its support and participation in the ministry’s initiative ‘World Labor Day’. The Dubai Labor office organized an event for 400 workers to celebrate Labor Day with sporting, artistic and cultural activities. This event included 31 strategic public and private sector partners that contributed to the promotion of human and labor rights. Ms. Angele El Khoury, Director of Human Resources and Mr. Adel Abou Haidar, HR Coordinator attended the recognition and awards ceremony which acknowledged and honored all participants of this initiative. The winding up ceremony was also attended by H.E. Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Labor Ministry, H.E. Maher Al Obed Assistant Undersecretary for Inspections, and a number of officials alongside government and private agencies and institutions.

STUDENT SERVICES NEWS

WE ARE THE WORLD AUD hosted its 18th International Night as part of the ‘Discover AUD Diversity’ festivities. Organized by the Office of Student Services, the night showcased the cultures of over 100 different nationalities. Traditional performances and booths set up by participating AUD cultural, special interest and departmental student clubs captured the essence of the diversity on campus. Discover AUD Diversity events also included the AUD Olympics, where students and staff members competed in various sports activities to encourage an active lifestyle and promote a healthy environment in the community. There was also the Food Festival, a popular event where students prepared and shared delicacies from their countries to celebrate the culinary richness represented by AUD’s diverse community. n

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE CELEBRATION TIME

International Night’s best booth was deemed to be the Iraq Club, with the Saudi Club coming second and IEEE/WEI tied with Mobitech/ACM for third place.VIBE won the highly anticipated best performance club, with Jamnation as runners up. In the cultural club category, African Club secured first place, followed by Indian Cultural Club tied with Pakistani Student Association for second, and Egyptian Club coming in third. Judges for International Night included Dr. Sandra Alexander, Assistant Professor of Humanities, Prof. Nadia Eliewat, Associate Professor in Digital Production and Storytelling, Mr. Biju Kanan, Senior Support Specialist, Dr. Pamela Chrabieh, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Dr. Ziad Adwan, Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and Mr. Sharbel Dahlan, AUD Alumnus.

The Gala Dinner for the academic year 2014-15 brought together senior students, faculty and staff members and honored those that have excelled and made a positive contribution to AUD. Student Services Awards were presented to students that consistently volunteered their time and displayed high levels of dedication and commitment. The awards ceremony, organized by the Office of Student Services, included awards for Student Service, Student Leadership, Student Government Association, Outstanding Student Club, Outstanding Student Event of the Year, Student Ambassador, and the Outstanding Male and Female Student Athletes. The grand Gala Dinner was a momentous occasion, proudly sponsored by luxury watchmakers Baume and Mercier who presented their latest products to the lucky raffle winners. n

ALUMNI RELATIONS NEWS

AUD HOSTS ALUMNI REUNION

PRIZES GALORE The 2015 Student Services Awards, for those that showed consistent dedication, were handed to Sarah Hassan, Aya Mehabi, Adnan Sharawi, Peter Moussa, Farid Al Bestenli and Alma Al Fawal. The 2015 Student Leadership Awards for outstanding leadership skills went to Danyal Ahmed, Farah Sabobeh, Rana Daoud, Mouhamadou Mbengue, Lea Halabi, Sharon Albuquerque and Rishabh Ghuwalewala. Angi Shaya won the 2015 Student Government Association Award for playing an active role in the SGA and making a difference to university life. The 2015 Outstanding Student Organization Award was handed to Peer Health Educators (PHEs) for their tireless contribution to the community by promoting and raising awareness about healthier lifestyles. Clash of the Talents was recognized as the most successful student-created and executed activity on campus

by winning the 2015 Outstanding Event of the Year Award. The 2015 AUD Ambassador Awards were awarded to Dania Moussa, Zainab Al Sawalhi and Noorhan Maamoon from AUD International Aid (AIA), the ASCE Bridge Competition team that included Basel El Khapery, Samer Arwani, Seyed Pouya Manafi, Mohsen Soltani Nejadian and Omar Swaid, and the Dubai Lynx-University of the Year 2015 comprising Heela Daudzai, Reem Al Aani, Sarah Hassan, Kareem Othmani, Rasha Shaar and Farida Nassar. Other Ambassador Award winners included Interior Design Educators Council competition team Bahare Yaghar and Shahrzad Fereidouni, and Swedish Wood Meets Arabia Design Competition winners Maria Sobh and Syeda Salwa Hasan. The outstanding male and female athletes of the year were Ammar Farouq and Nawara Hammam.

The AUD class of 2012 and 2013 enjoyed a successful reunion recently thanks to the efforts of the Student Retention and Success Office. Graduates were invited to an intimate iftar during the holy month of Ramadan, offering a chance to socialize and reminisce about their time at AUD. They also learned about the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous alumni support services, including activities, connections and access to a powerful professional network. The newly restructured Alumni Relations team aims to develop the connection between graduates and the university by bringing together small groups of graduates and building up to a larger reunion in the coming months. The AUD Alumni Association (AUDAA) is the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s link to the university after graduation that helps forge a lifelong bond with their alma mater. n

SPECIAL REPORT

AHEAD OF THE GAME

The 2015 AUD Career Fair enabled students to connect with 75 of the best local and global companies

ennis legend Arthur Ashe won the hearts of millions of Americans by winning three Grand Slam titles and, more importantly, knew what it took to secure a real victory. “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation,” said the great man. Graduates looking to embark into the professional world should take Ashe’s advice and prepare during their time at university. Thankfully,

an expert team is on hand to successfully bridge the transition from student to work life, and stand out in a competitive playing field. The Career Services Division of the Student Success and Retention Office at AUD is committed to assisting students realize their full academic potential and achieve professional success by offering academic support and advice where needed, as well as strategic career services such as interview tactics and job search skills.

The division’s most important event is the annual AUD Career Fair, which this year took place on 24 March in the AUD Knights Arena. Over 75 of the best local and international companies took part, representing an increase of 30% in brand participation since 2012. Tala Makhlouf, Director of the Office of Student Success and Retention at AUD, explains: “The AUD Career Fair is a one-stop environment for job interviews, increased brand awareness, as well as a networking experience. It provides students and alumni with a venue to explore professional opportunities and gives employers a place to meet and talk with potential candidates. “We are proud to have hosted over 75 highly distinguished companies. Working together, we share the ambitious task of identifying the rising talent within our student population so as to provide them with a first step towards a strong and suitable professional career.” The participating companies represented a wide range of industries including banking and finance, information technology, manufacturing, engineering, contracting, media, publishing, advertising and more. There was a lot of interest in major companies such as Emirates NBD, Oracle, Six Construct, Unilever and Procter & Gamble. “We were very excited to be on AUD’s campus to look for top talents and top candidates to apply for our internship program,” commented a spokesperson from Procter and Gamble’s Recruitment Team during the fair. “We were quite encouraged by the juniors and seniors that turned out for this event and even by the freshmen who were so enthusiastic about looking for an investment in their future.” Judging by the Career Fair’s success this year, many more AUD graduates will be looking forward to a bright future while contributing to the economic development and progress of Dubai and beyond. n

ADMISSIONS NEWS

ADMISSIONS WELCOMES PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

SHEIKH HAMDAN VISITS AUD TEAM AT GETEX AUD’s stand at GETEX 2015, the region’s most established education and training exhibition, was visited by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition hall and visited the AUD stand to talk to the Admissions team. The team, along with faculty members, spent three days at the exhibition introducing potential students

and their parents to the programs and facilities available at AUD. Ms. Sara Sleem, Assistant Director of Admissions, said students should focus on degrees and courses that work to their strengths. “They pick the courses they think will allow them the best opportunity to get a job,” she said. “But that can be misleading, so we tell students getting a degree is not always enough, as they need to excel in what they do to stand out.” n

RTA ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Admissions Office at AUD held its Fall 2015 Applicant and Parent Orientation session, offering a warm welcome to visitors. After the introduction, two of AUD’s successful alumni – Dana Abu Laban, Journalist at MBC and Mohammad Swidan, Key Account Manager at LinkedIn – spoke about their own experiences at the university. As well as touring campus, attendees visited presentation rooms according to their program of interest and met the deans of each school. The Admissions Office also held the annual Graduate Open House, serving as a vibrant gathering of prospective graduate students. Attendees learned about AUD’s graduate programs including the Master of Business Administration, Master of Education as well as the Professional Teaching Certificate, and the Master of Science in Construction Management. They also had the chance to meet AUD alumni and current students and participate in interactive roundtable discussions with the faculty and Admissions members. n

The Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) announced the availability of scholarships for UAE Nationals who wish to apply for engineering programs at universities in the UAE, including AUD. The applicable programs available at AUD include a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Applicants that meet the scholarship requirements receive an attractive monthly salary, insurance coverage and other rewards. n

ARCHITECTURE, ART & DESIGN NEWS

CONNECTING STUDENTS ACADEMIA AND HONORED IN INDUSTRY MADRID

The Department of Architecture held its Annual Advisory Board Meeting with the aim of bridging the gap between the professional world and academia. Consisting of prominent professionals, the board advises the department’s administration while helping to set program standards and providing feedback on alumni position in the market. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Dean - School of Architecture Art and Design, along with other faculty members. External members included representatives from leading companies such as SOM, DSA Architects and Autodesk. n

DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL ISSUES The Department of Architecture organized a three-day workshop on Hotel Lazarus, an intensive exercise on architectural design to test new methodologies.The workshop involved a collective exercise aiming to investigate architectural responses to the global crisis of austerity and economic instability. ,Dr.Tala Vaziri,Associate Professor of Architecture at AUD, commented: “The aim was to integrate critical thinking into the process of architectural design and representation.The intention was to develop a prototypical space of co-habitation in a generic metropolitan context.” n

Two AUD groups received awards at the International Architecture and Interior Design Awards in Madrid, along with a study tour of the Spanish capital. First place in the student competition, involving AUD and Zayed University, went to a team from AUD comprised of Maha Boulfelfel, Nagham Awi Awi and Malak Orfi. Second place went to another AUD team of Hana Akram, Nour Nasrallah and Jasmine Ayesh. A committee from Spain selected the top five (three of which were from AUD) out of 38 participating groups, and the finalists presented their projects to a jury panel. n

LEARNING NEW SKILLS The Visual Communication Department introduced students to new skills by hosting the first ever glass fusing workshop and the inaugural ceramic slip casting workshop. The former was led by Aline Johnson, whose glasswork has developed from architectural glass panels to vessels, inspired by objects from nature. Meanwhile Andrea Walsh demonstrated ceramic slip casting techniques that will allow students to recreate any objects in clay. n

AUD WINS DUBAI LYNX AWARD

The Visual Communication Department held an exhibition to celebrate the students’ work which earned AUD the title of ‘University of the Year 2015’ at the Dubai Lynx. Dubai Lynx, a festival of creativity, represents the Cannes Lions Festival in the MENA region and is the most prestigious event for the advertising industry. The award came after a high number of shortlisted and winning works in both student competitions: the Masar Print and the Du IMC. n

ARCHITECTURE, ART & DESIGN NEWS

BRANDVERTISING SERIES FORGES LINKS WITH INDUSTRY The Visual Communication Department hosted a number of presentations under its Brandvertising Series, which connects professionals and academia in the fields of advertising and graphic design. Students competed to solve a real communication problem, with Stevi Lowmass, Founder of The Camel Milk Soap Factory, attending AUD student pitches for his company’s

advertising campaign. A screening of the US Super Bowl Commercials 2015 took place the day after the game itself, allowing students to keep up to date with the recent trends, practices and discussions in commercials. Last but not least, Ramzi Moutran, Executive Creative Director (ECD) at Memac Ogilvy & Mather UAE, gave students advice on how to create award-winning work. n

SIKKA ART FAIR FUELED BY HIGHLIGHTS CAFFEINE TALENT Three artists from the Department of Visual Communication were awarded commissions by Dubai Arts and Culture Authority to create projects for this year’s Sikka Art Fair. The commissioned artists were Prof. Flounder Lee, Assistant Professor of Studio Art, Amna Jawad, senior student majoring in Graphic Design, and Hazem Mahdy, Photography alumni. The citywide initiative covered visual arts projects, music, live performance, video art and workshops, among others. n

Students from the 2D Design classes reimaged Johannes Vermeer’s seminal 17th century painting ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ using recycled coffee capsules. The students were set the task by Michael Rice, Associate Professor of Studio Art, who noticed the potential of colored espresso capsules when walking past a coffee shop. Prof. Rice explained: “Using the pixelate feature in Photoshop I was able to take the original Vermeer image and create a pixelated image. I then split it into quarters and four groups of students had to exactly match the image they had using only the original colored coffee cups”. n

FORUM FOR CREATIVITY

The Visual Communication Department hosted a number of fascinating presentations and exhibitions under the Visual Cultures Forums. ‘Art & Activism in Contemporary Pakistani Art’ was explored by Salima Hashimi, an artist, art educationist, curator and writer who became Principal at the National College of Art (NCA) in Lahore, Pakistan. The focus on Pakistani art continued with a presentation by multidisciplinary artist Zahra Jewanjee called ‘Murmuration’. In other talks, Summer Sutton investigated Islamic Architecture in ‘Measuring Architecture’s Cognitive Impact’, and photographer Hazem Mahdy presented the forum ‘Attaining Moksha: Photography as Enlightenment’. Donatella Bernardi, a Swiss artist and curator, addressed the questions of curating Lebanese art both in Lebanon and in Switzerland, and presented two exhibitions she recently curated. A unique exhibition showcased 70 of the ‘100 aspects of the Moon’ prints, meticulously created by 19th century Japanese artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. TheVisual Cultures Forums also featured a ‘Sound Series’, with a presentation on ‘Sound as Material & Poetics’ by artist Jonny Farrow. Chris Weaver and Fari Bradley discussed major sound artists, the history of their collaborative practice in sound sculpture and performance, and the history of sound as an artistic field. Outside the forum program,Visual Communication students were privileged to be visited by NewYork-based interdisciplinary artist Grimanesa Amorós, who spoke about the intersections of sculpture, lighting, abstraction and landscape. n

SPORTS NEWS

SAIS WINS SCHOOL SPORTS CHALLENGE

The fourth annual AUD School Sports Challenge day brought together more than 20 of the leading high schools in the UAE. Sharjah American International School (SAIS) was crowned Champion of the 2015 edition and took home the Athletic Scholarship offered by AUD. “We believe in rewarding excellence and encourage our students and our communities to strive to achieve it,” said Carol Maalouf, AUD Director of Admissions. “The scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellent athletic skills, good sportsmanship all the while maintaining good academic standing. We look forward to welcoming new students on our campus to further cultivate their skills, athletically and academically.” Boys’ and girls’ school teams, as well as individual athletes, competed in various sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, cross country and tug of war. “The AUD School Sports Challenge has grown year on year to become one of the leading sports events for school students across the UAE,” commented Miso Pancetovic, AUD Athletics Director. “Students and coaches alike are always excited to experience the university campus and make use of the top notch facilities.” n

DOUBLE DELIGHT AT HESF

AUD Knights took home two gold medals for men’s basketball and women’s volleyball at this year’s Higher Education Sports Federation (HESF) tournament. The national sports tournament is one of the most competitive, with AUD Knights going up against some of the best university athletes in the country. Miso Pancetovic, Athletics Director at AUD, commented: “Instrumental

to AUD’s Knights success are our coaches and of course our Athletics Coordinator Joseph Nohra.” The HESF closing ceremony was held at AUD in the presence of H.E. Dr. Omar A. Al Hai, Mr. Hamdi Khalil, Dr. Hazem Abdel Mohsen, all the participating universities, as well as AUD’s senior administration and Athletics Division. Trophies were distributed to the 2015 winners. n

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

AUDMUN’S MODEL BEHAVIOR

SWEDE DREAMS FOR WINNERS

PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Six students representing the AUDMUN club participated in the 8th Annual Model United Nations Conference, which took place at AUS over three days. AUDMUN members served as international delegates and debated on several current world issues in different United Nations committees, such as the Security Council, General Assembly and Human Rights Council. Three AUDMUN members picked up awards, with Adarsh Vallath receiving an ‘Honorable Mention’; Rishabh Ghuwalewala winning ‘Best Delegate’ and Mashaal Effendi awarded ‘Best Speaker’. n

Having won the ‘Swedish Wood Meets Arabia’ competition, AUD Interior Design students, Maria Solh and Salwa Hasan took part in the Swedish Wood Design Study Trip. The students visited Umea University School of Architecture, Bildmuseet at Umea University and the Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies. The tour also took in furniture manufacturing centers including IKEA’s Hedlunda furniture factory as well as the world renowned Stockholm Design Week. A delegation of designers from Paris and Casablanca also joined the AUD team for the design week. n

AUD Graphic Design student Sadaf Rezaei won the First Prize for Photography at the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award Ceremony, with competition from 50 shortlisted entries. Sadaf won the award for her moving photograph ‘A Day in My Grandma’s Life’ which depicts the trials of her grandmother, who is living through the challenges of Parkinson’s disease as well as having Alzheimer’s. “I promised myself to tell my grandmother’s story in words” said Sadaf. “But I am so glad that I chose photography because it tells so much more than a story – this picture speaks a thousand words.” n

ENGINEERING A STRING OF SUCCESSES

Students at AUD’s School of Engineering picked up a string of awards at the 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Applied Computing.

The Best Poster Presentation Award went to three students of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department: Bassel Hussein, Lilan Haj Hussain and Anurudh Sharma.

The department also celebrated success in the Best Oral Presentation Award, which was handed to Anant Mohan, Akshay Rattan and Michelle Samuel for their project ‘Low Cost Volumetric Display’. AUD’s engineering students were also lauded at the 10th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) UAE Student Day 2015. Second place in the Common Design Project category went to AUD’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department team Seyed Amirsaman Shanaei, Rida Salam, Farid Mouawad, Omar Hreirati Bradley and James Zellefrow for their project ‘Mobile Robot Assistant’. Meanwhile, third place in the Senior Design Project category went to AUD’s Mechanical Engineering Department team Jalal Al Lami, Wael Bou Ajram and Amir Hossein Shourideh for their project “Solar Powered Atmospheric Water Generator”. n

FEATURE

HOPE AND HEALTH

Having won the 2015 Outstanding Student Club Award, the Peer Health Educators are going from strength to strength

ccording to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases account for more than half of all deaths in the United Arab Emirates, with research showing obesity as a leading cause for concern in the country. “Raised body mass index (overweight and obesity) is an important cause of chronic diseases. Prevalence of

overweight in the UAE is expected to remain relatively constant in men and increase in women over the next 10 years,” the WHO report stated. It added: “At least 80% of premature heart disease, strokes and Type 2 diabetes, as well as 40% of cancers, can be prevented through healthy diet, regular physical activity and the avoidance of tobacco products.”

The importance of a healthy lifestyle is critical for young adults, which is why the efforts of the Peer Health Educators (PHE) at AUD have been nothing short of admirable. Having picked up the Outstanding Student Club Award at AUD’s 2015 Gala Dinner, the PHE are going from strength to strength. The group of students behind the PHE has the health and safety of others

FEATURE

and Effective Awareness for Living (HEAL) student’s club, the group transformed to the PHE after gaining more knowledge and experience. Today, PHE members are made up of dedicated students from different majors at AUD, all of who are active participants in extracurricular activities, with high GPAs and a drive to help raise awareness of health and wellbeing, both on campus and in the wider community. PHE responsibilities include helping others, providing awareness on health and safety risks, as well as information on various healthrelated topics, conducting educational programs and events, referring students at risk to professionals and raising awareness on personal wellness and a holistic attitude to life. SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS

as their key priority, and work closely with experts in the field to help them guide and train students on campus. The project to establish a student club first took shape in 2010, when AUD’s Health Center Director, Nelly Halabi, gathered a group of 12 students who were keen to help with health awareness programs. Initially operating under the name of the Health

According to Halabi, the success of the PHE is all down to teamwork. “The PHE members have managed to work effectively as a team and have shown commitment to the projects, which are all elements that have contributed to the success of the group,” she says. “The students were able to develop a unique interaction that has allowed them to work efficiently as a unit, and deliver their messages clearly to the community in very successful ways.” Most notably, the PHE has organized landmark educational workshops to share HIV/AIDS awareness with the AUD community. The team collaborated with the UAE Ministry of Health, Dubai Police, and the American Hospital on an HIV/AIDS awareness programs in association with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). PHE representatives are faced with the challenge of communicating ideas and life-saving knowledge on a broad range of ‘taboo’ topics, not just on HIV and AIDS but also sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as well as drug abuse. The 2015 Spring/Summer season involved several workshops – with a number of health concerns coming to

The PHE members have managed to work effectively as a team and have shown commitment to the projects” the fore – a blood donation campaign, a health and fitness awareness initiative, a celebration of World Health Day organized with the cooperation of other clubs, and an awareness campaign about drugs in coordination with Dubai Police. Last but not least, an STD awareness program was organized with the help of the Resident Assistants and the American Hospital specialists. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

PHE students not only play an active role on AUD’s campus but also in the local and international community. In 2012, an AUD PHE member represented the group at a UNICEF event in Qatar as part of a panel. The following year, the PHE Manual was put together and published by UNICEF and distributed to other universities as well as independent health professionals at the HIV/AIDS international conference held in Dubai. Last year was one of the busiest yet for the group. A PHE student was asked to sit on a panel for the HIV/ AIDS international conference in Dubai, while members organized visits to other universities in the country to introduce the vision behind the club and its many roles and activities. The visits were so successful that some universities have now formed their own equivalent groups. There are no plans of slowing down in the year ahead. “Based on the gained trainings, the AUD PHE aim to spread their knowledge about HIV/AIDS to the greater Dubai community, starting with schools and universities,” adds Nelly. Thanks to the vision and tireless efforts of the PHE at AUD, the message of good health is being heard far and wide. n

INTERVIEW

CLASS ACT

Wael Bou Ajram, AUD’s Class of 2015 Valedictorian, is approaching professional life with the same ambition and thirst for knowledge that made his time at university so fruitful

“

Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it”. These famous words, by legendary British leader Winston Churchill, perfectly sum up the dedicated work ethic of AUD’s Class of 2015 Valedictorian, Wael Bou Ajram. From securing a scholarship that financed his degree in Mechanical Engineering to personally addressing His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in his valedictorian address, Wael excelled both before and during his time at AUD. He also credits his family’s unwavering support as

vital in achieving his goals. “My family has always let me choose my own path and has supported me unconditionally, which is something that I really appreciate,” says Wael. “Throughout my life, and especially during my time at AUD, it was the support and loving care of my late grandfather Nayef Fleihan that always motivated me to push through the obstacles and achieve my goals. He didn’t have the luxury of a college education, but that didn’t stop him from being the wisest man I have known and my eternal role model.”

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE

His choice to enroll in AUD’s lauded Mechanical Engineering program reflects a strong passion for the industry and a desire to acquire technical skills that apply across design, consulting, operation, manufacturing and construction fields. Mechanical Engineering was a natural fit for Wael, who is inquisitive by nature. “I’ve always been interested in observing the world around me and finding out how things work,” he says. “Mechanical Engineering teaches you how to study a machine or a process, and break it down into its smallest parts for a detailed and comprehensive analysis. This problem-solving approach is what attracted me to the field because it can be applied to several aspects of life. To me, engineering is a mindset rather than a profession.” According to Wael, successful engineers possess a combination of problem-solving and communication skills. “Being able to think critically about a problem or concept is absolutely essential. This skill alone, however, is quite useless without supplementing it with effective communication. Presenting

INTERVIEW

information and clearly expressing opinions and ideas is vital to success in any field. AUD’s course structure empowers students to seek logical reasoning and to confidently convey thoughts verbally or through writing.” ROAD TO SUCCESS

Wael’s delight at becoming valedictorian was a worthy reward for years of tireless effort. From leading student organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Harvard College in Asia Program (HCAP) and spending a memorable semester abroad at Atlanta’s Georgia Tech, every experience led Wael to the evening of May 10 2015 when he presented his valedictorian address in the presence of the UAE ruler. “It felt like an immense honor and a personal validation of the energy I put in to make my time at AUD as rewarding as possible. It was natural to feel nervous about my speech, but I eventually brushed that anxiousness aside because I felt that I truly had something to say in the spotlight on that stage. “I wanted the world to hear about the vision and generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the incredible commitment of the AUD faculty and staff, the tremendous support of our family and friends, and the awe-inspiring effort that my classmates put in to reach their potential,” explains Wael. Over the years at AUD, Wael developed a strong sense of leadership and credits the university staff and faculty for opening his eyes to the many possibilities that lay before him. “Leaders to learn from were present everywhere on campus in many shapes and forms. My professors were leaders of the classroom, guiding us to a common goal and ensuring that we attain the best possible education. There were also leaders in the form of students, with their commitment to campus organizations and altruistic initiatives. President Lance de Masi drives this sense

of leadership on campus. Every speech I see him give exudes an immovable passion for AUD that really cascades down to students, faculty, and staff.” BUILDING AMBITION

Since graduating as valedictorian of AUD’s Class of 2015, Wael has taken the time to travel and spend quality time with his family and closest friends, unwinding after an “academically challenging and emotionally bittersweet end” to his time at university. Being honored as the class valedictorian has helped catalyse a number of professional opportunities recently. “I’m currently completing an internship which I’ve enjoyed immensely with Nestlé, the world’s largest food company. My invaluable work experience with companies like Nestlé and General Electric has opened

Leaders to learn from were present everywhere on campus in many shapes and forms”

my eyes to the limitless professional opportunities that I would like to explore,” says Wael who admits that employers are always keen to discuss his status as valedictorian in interviews. “The AUD graduation ceremony is renowned for its grandeur, and recruiters want to hear about my experience giving the valedictory address in front of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, along with a packed hall of attendees and potentially millions of people watching it on TV around the world. I’m so grateful that His Highness was involved in the commencement, and it was an incredible opportunity for me to personally thank him for the generous scholarship that financed my AUD education,” he adds. Now that the dust has settled after graduation, Wael finds himself at an exciting crossroad. “Life as a graduate is entirely different in that there are infinite possibilities for a career to advance and the only constant is who you are as an individual. “With that in my mind, I’m approaching all upcoming professional goals with the same ambition, passion, and thirst for knowledge that made my time at AUD so fruitful. In the long run, I plan on using my experience to innovate in my field, be a dependable leader, and positively contribute to my community,” he remarks. Although he plans to stay in Dubai for the time being, Wael is open to the idea of venturing abroad if the right opportunity presents itself. For the moment, he’s happy to see where the road takes him. Looking back on his time at AUD, he believes that students are sometimes hindered by a lack of ambition or confidence in their abilities. However, he insists that hard work and perseverance are the keys to scholarly success. Aside from academic work, he also urges students to make the most of their time at universiy. “Be adventurous and make the memories that you’ve always dreamt of making. When I look back at my time at AUD, I am proud to say that I made it a better place and that it made me a better person.” n

COMMUNICATION NEWS

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER SHARES EXPERIENCES

The Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC) at AUD recently hosted Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Jim Schaefer for its Media Chat Series. Holder of the USA’s highest honor

in journalism, Schaefer undertook a yearlong investigation into the synthetic drug fentanyl that had caused hundreds of deaths. Schaefer shared the journey of his career with MBRSC students

and faculty, touching on subjects from ethical journalism to the constraints and protection offered by American law towards journalists. He also underlined the responsibility of journalists to maintain a high level of integrity in the industry. Even with changing times, he recommended students retain a personal approach to get close to the story. “It’s about human contact, getting people to trust you, and not violating that trust,” he insisted. Over the last two years, the Media Chat Series at MBRSC has regularly host distinguished media specialists, renowned producers, journalists and broadcasters. Schaefer’s talk was attended by a large number of students in addition to AUD faculty and staff members. n

MBRSC CHAMPIONS ARAB JOURNALISM

Dubai Press Club (DPC) and MBRSC have joined forces to publish a book that compiles the works that won the Arab Journalism Award (AJA) over the past four editions. The book serves as a reliable reference for researchers, scholars and media students in the Arab World, with the aim to provide samples of innovative and successful journalism works to Arab libraries. A press conference was held at DPC’s headquarters, where the club signed a memorandum of understanding with MBRSC regarding the publication of the book. The agreement was signed by H.E. Mona Ghanim Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) and AJA Secretary General, along with Mr. Ali Jaber, Dean of MBRSC. Al Marri added: “When we started thinking about the book, we realized that

our partner must be a well established entity that gathers academic excellence and practical experience. AUD’s Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication was our best option. The school enjoys a sound reputation in academia.” Other attendees at the press conference included Muna Bu Samra,

Director of Arab Journalism Award and Director of DPC, the AJA Secretary General, AJA Board members, a host of chief editors, academia, a number of AUD community members, as well as a number of AJA winners and local and regional media representatives. n

ARTS & SCIENCE NEWS

CELEBRATING THE LIVES OF WOMEN

BROADENING STUDENTS’ MINDS The School of Arts and Sciences organized a number of field trips across the UAE that were tailored to its wide range of courses. As part of the Islamic Art and Architecture course, 58 students visited the Islamic Civilization Museum in Sharjah. In a separate trip, students from the Middle

COMMON READING PROGRAM LAUNCHED

The School of Arts and Sciences has launched a new initiative: AUD’s Common Reading Program, to engage the entire university community in reading and discussing selected books. The program involves periodic discussion groups, workshops and events. Faculty, staff and students are all encouraged to find creative ways to integrate the assigned book’s central themes into relevant course content and other areas of campus life. n

R EADI NG Across Campus

East Studies Division visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi to discover more about the religion of Islam. Another field trip explored the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood in Bur Dubai. This included Al Serkal Cultural Foundation, Majlis Gallery and Dubai Coffee Museum. n

MEST FORUM ENCOURAGES RESEARCH

Successful editions of the MEST Forum, organized by the School of Arts and Sciences, provided opportunities for AUD academics and visiting scholars to share their research on Middle Eastern and North African issues. One of the MEST Forums was led by guest speaker Dr. Basak Ozoral, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at AUD, who presented her research on the political economy in Turkey. The following edition was spearheaded by Dr. Magdy M. El-Shamma, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at AUD, offering a review and discussion on Egyptian director Salah Abu Saif’s cinema noir. n

Students visited the Women’s Museum of Dubai as part of the Women and Gender in the Middle East course. Established by Emirati professor Rafia Ghubash in 2012, the museum reveals the role that women have played in defining the culture and shaping the society of the UAE. The School of Arts and Sciences also commemorated International Women’s Day on March 8 by hosting an event showcasing the positive roles of women. The event featured art and creative writing as well as a buffet of traditional dishes made from generationsold recipes to highlight the bond between mothers and children. n

AUD HOSTS LSE SPEAKER The School of Arts and Sciences welcomed Professor Christopher Coker, Head of Department and Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE). As part of the latest talk in AUD’s Global Affairs Speaker Series, Dr. Coker discussed his book ‘Warrior Geeks’, which asserts how 21st century technology is changing the way we fight and think about war. In his lecture, Dr. Coker stated that new technologies would not eradicate great power war, even though they help to bring societies closer together. n

ENGINEERING NEWS

AUD WINS BRIDGE CONTEST AUD won first place at the 7th Annual GCC Wooden Bridge Competition, held in partnership with the Department of Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering and the ASCE Student Chapter at AUD. Sponsored by the Society of Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers and Bentley Software Solutions, the event saw seven universities compete to create the best wooden bridge design capable of carrying the heaviest load. The teams included students, staff and faculty from Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates University, Manipal University, American University of Sharjah, University of

Sharjah, Al Hosn University in addition to the German University in Oman. Dr. Hilal El-Hassan, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, said: “Through the design and construction of model bridges, students are provided with a valuable learning experience, encouraged to adopt a sense of teamwork, and enabled to develop an understanding of non-technical constraints in design and construction. The competition offered an informal yet technical event to encourage interaction between students and professors.” While AUD won top honours, American University in Sharjah came in second and Manipal University secured third place in the competition. n

AUD HOSTS THIRD MESAT CONFERENCE

Leading researchers from the field of engineering attended the third Middle East Society of Asphalt Technologists (MESAT) Conference held at AUD. The international three-day conference featured the theme ‘Performance-Based Specifications and Design for Sustainable Asphalt Pavements in the Middle East’, with lectures by renowned specialists alongside an informative exhibition and post-conference workshop. Insightful keynote speeches by Kamil Kaloush, Associate Professor at Arizona State University, as well as Gulay Malkoc, Technical Director for the Turkish Asphalt Contractors Association, were just some of the highlights of the landmark event. “With participants in the areas of asphalt technology and pavement engineering representing tens of countries and affiliations with industry, government, and academia, MESAT 2015 provided a unique opportunity to share valuable technical expertise and experience,” commented Dr. Hilal El-Hassan, Conference cochair and Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at AUD. n

PRESIDENT OF ASCE VISITS CAMPUS AUD welcomed Dr. Robert Stevens, the President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for a talk on ASCE’s past, present and future plans. Dr. Robert Stevens urged students to take part in volunteering roles to help advance the profession and their

careers, while improving communities. He also underlines the importance of taking risks and asking questions. The visit was one of the most highly anticipated for the School of Engineer, which boasts the first established ASCE Student Chapter in the UAE. Also in attendance

was Elias Sayah, President of ASCE International Chapter and President of Sayah Group of Companies, who congratulated the AUD chapter on its progress and remarked that AUD graduates have been among the most successful in the UAE market today. n

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION NEWS

ACCOUNTING FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE

AUD is offering accounting students the chance to further their career prospects by obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. CPA is one of the leading financial accounting qualifications in the Middle East and is highly sought after by employees in the region. Students should gain the credential to ensure their skills and knowledge remain relevant to today’s business challenges, allowing them to further their ambition. AUD’s intensive CPA training program will ensure students are on the right track to success. n

THE BENEFITS OF A CPA LICENSE FOR ASPIRING ACCOUNTING STUDENTS CPA, which stands for Certified Public Accountant, is a license which is usually obtained by accounting professionals and aspiring students who wish to pursue their career in the field of accounting.The qualification gives you a chance to boost your career in the accounting and auditing fields. As an accounting student, you might be wondering if you need to spend the extra time and effort to earn your CPA license.“Can’t I make a decent living as an accountant?” Well, sure. But the CPA is a professional credential – much like a lawyer’s J.D. or a scientist’s PhD – that sets you up for a different career. Here’s why. Having the CPA credential behind your name proves that your skills are up-to-date and relevant to today’s business challenges.That simple fact opens doors for you to move up the ranks to partner or CFO – or do something completely different, like run a non-profit, teach at a college or be a financial planner.The license enables you to go in any direction you want. According to the 2015 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting & Finance, you’ll make 5-15% more money throughout your career if you have a CPA license. Period. CPAs are consistently ranked as one of the nation’s

most recession-proof careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an estimated 166,700 new accounting and auditing jobs will be created by 2022 – a 13.1% growth rate.Accounting is essential to business no matter how the economy is doing – and CPAs are the ones running the show. In addition, just like the letters PhD or M.D. equal respect, so does CPA. CPAs are considered trusted financial advisers. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Applied Research & Consulting, LLC, 75% of business decision-makers say they would be more confident in a job done by a CPA than if it were done by an accountant who is not a CPA. The bottom line:You’ll be trusted with higher-level responsibilities if you’ve earned the credential. As for when you’re changing jobs – which will probably happen several times in your life – the CPA behind your name will indicate to potential employers that you’re an expert in your field.And that makes you instant preferred choice over job candidates without the credential. Whether your interest lies in serving the corporate sector or investigating securities and tax fraud in the financial sector, it is certain that obtaining a CPA license gives more opportunities, a higher salary, job security, more respect and a competitive edge.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION NEWS

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AUD hosted the esteemed Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) as the School of Business Administration (SBA) continues to pursue AACSB accreditation. AUD President Dr. Lance E. de Masi and Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jihad S. Nader held meetings with AACSB representatives, followed by presentation from senior SBA faculty on current research. SBA’s programs are going from strength to strength, with the school recently re-accredited by the Board of Commissioners of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). n

SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP SBA welcomed the Dubai Carbon Center of Excellence roadshow team to share the Carbon Ambassador Program with AUD students on campus. The Carbon Ambassador Program is supported by Dubai Carbon, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It engages 40 Emirati senior students from different UAE universities in a one-year program involving voluntary sustainable development and green economy efforts. n

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS HR SKILLS

FORUM FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING LAUNCHED

The Center of Excellence for Smarter Logistics collaboration, between IBM and AUD, recently hosted a workshop involving 15 professors from AUD, Abu Dhabi University, and Herriot-Watt University. The half-day workshop was a new forum to share knowledge and discuss opportunities in the field of logistics in the Middle East. n

SBA held an interactive human resources-focused workshop entitled ‘Team Dynamic Experiential Learning’ involving students currently enrolled in the HR Management course. Led by Dr. Fadi Al Sakka, Director of HR Programs at HR Mark, students

were exposed to different team issues through experiential games that reflected real-life scenarios faced by business professionals. After each activity, an SBA professor helped identify issues and offered advice on how to tackle challenges. n

EDUCATION NEWS

LEADING THE WAY With a recent focus on inclusive education in the UAE, the need for expert teacher preparation programs has never been more important and AUD’s School of Education is leading the way thanks to the efforts of Dr. Nadera Al Borno. Dr. Al Borno organized the Special Education Needs Access and Engagement Conference hosted by the university and the British Council late last year, and also gave a presentation entitled ‘Teacher Preparation for Inclusion’ which highlighted her research findings on the current state of special needs education in the UAE. Dr. Al Borno believes that challenges stems from the dearth of

skilled staff such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and shadow teachers to offer a strong support network. “We’re still at a very embryonic state but it’s happening,” explained Dr. Al Borno. “There is a real need in schools to include the students in the mainstream classrooms. A lot of schools are really accepting it. Some other schools, because they feel they don’t have the skills, are still afraid of it.” While there are challenges in the industry today, she also applauded the significant progress witnessed in the field of special needs education over the last few years. n

FACULTY NEWS

ARCHITECTURE PROFESSORS SHAPING DESIGN DEBATE

Professors from the School of Architecture, Art and Design have been involved in several highprofile regional and international discussions on architecture. Chair of Architecture Dr. Georges Kachaamy was invited to speak at the Architects and Design Forum Middle East about local identity in architecture. Dr. Kachaamy called for firms to source more staff from within the region to help achieve a localized design identity. Meanwhile, Dr. Annarita Cornaro, Assistant Professor of Architecture, gave an insightful talk at commercial interiors platform – Workspace, at INDEX. Dr. Cornaro explored the potential of sustainability, reuse and identity in the UAE via different design experiences. As a practicing architect and principal of COdESIGN in Rome, Dr. Cornaro also celebrated the success of winning an open call to partner Bee’ ah with designs for a desert bench that uses recycled or sustainable materials. Named Oasis, the bench takes inspiration from organic and cultural sources, including desert plants and indigenous architecture. A prototype of Oasis was exhibited at the 1971 Gallery, a new multi-functional design space in Sharjah, created by Maraya Art Centre at Flag Island. n

INTERIOR DESIGN AT ITS BEST

Associate Professor of Interior Design Annamaria Lambri was part of the jury panel of hospitality professionals for the Middle East Hotel Awards (MEHA), in collaboration with the Hotel Show 2015. Adding to her notable achievements, Professor Lambri was also selected to serve in the jury panel of professionals for the MENA Interior Design and Architecture Awards 2015 as part of INDEX 2015. Professor Lambri moved to Dubai from Italy in 2006, working as Design Manager for HLA Interior Design on various international projects, and joined the AUD family in 2011. n

EDUCATION RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT

School of Education Assistant Professor Dr. Nadera Al Borno presented a paper on the ‘Trends and Challenges of the Employment of People with Disabilities in the UAE’ at a recent special educational needs panel during the Gulf Education Conference and Exhibition 2015. Dr. Al Borno’s presentation highlighted a number of issues related to employment

opportunities available for people with disabilities and suggested a revision in legislation to ensure employers provide career and development opportunities. Dr. Al Borno also asserted that rehabilitation and training programs needed to be further developed and that awareness campaigns must involve the entire community in order to end discrimination. n

FACULTY PROMOTIONS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROMOTIONS DR. MOHAMMED ABU ALI A faculty member at AUD since 2006, Dr. Mohammed Abu Ali has been promoted to Professor of Economics. He served as Chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance for three years and was appointed Dean of the School of Business Administration in 2012. In addition to his vast academic experience, Dr. Abu Ali was in charge of the business environment within the corporate planning division of Qatar Petroleum.

DR. JATIN R. MALHOTRA Dr. Jatin Malhotra has been appointed Chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance at the School of Business Administration. Dr. Malhotra joined AUD in August 2012 and has since taught a variety of courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Financial Institutions and Markets, Quantitative Analysis for Finance, Fundamentals of Finance and Economics. His research areas include Corporate Finance, Derivatives and Financial Institutions and Markets.

DR. EVANGELLOS DEDOUSSIS Dr. Evangellos Dedoussis has been promoted to Professor of Management. Gaining multiple qualifications in Australia, Japan and Greece, Dr. Dedoussis has worked in the Greek Sugar Industry, the Lisbon Stock Exchange, and multinational corporations including National Panasonic, 3M, Toyota, and Oy E Sarlin. Before joining AUD he taught in Griffith University Australia, AUB, KFUPM and universities in Japan and Singapore.

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN PROMOTIONS

DR. NABYL CHENAF Dr. Nabyl Chenaf has been promoted to Professor of Architecture, following his appointment as Dean of the School of Architecture, Art and Design in January 2012. Before joining the university, Dr. Chenaf worked as the Editor in Chief of the Arabic/English edition of lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ARCA magazine of Architecture, Design and Visual Communication. He has been teaching Interior Design, Architecture and Urban Planning since 1989, after completing a Ph.D. from Nottingham University in the UK.

DR. CHADI CHAMOUN AUD has promoted Dr. Chadi Chamoun to Associate Professor of Interior Design. Gaining an M.Arch from State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. Chamoun began teaching at the Lebanese American University in 2001. This followed with a residency for an M.Phil. degree at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. Since returning to the Middle East he has worked as Design Manager in Gulf Technical Contracting Company and completing a Ph.D.

DR. HENDRIK WAHL A faculty member at AUD since 2012, Dr. Hendrik Wahl has been promoted to Associate Professor of Digital Media. Born and raised in Germany, Dr.Wahl has been employed as a digital artist, supervisor and creative/ art director in the media industry where he gained a broad range of experience through leading major CGI and IA-Media projects in Germany and elsewhere. He has been a faculty member at HFF, Film and Television University in Potsdam-Babelsberg and helped to develop a graduate school in Seoul, Republic of Korea for three years.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING PROMOTIONS DR. PEIMAN KIANMEHR Dr. Peiman Kianmehr has been promoted to Associate Professor of Civil Engineering. His expertise is in water and environmental engineering, with an emphasis on water and wastewater treatment and environmental chemistry. Prior to joining AUD, he worked with Environment Canada and directed various studies in the field of hydraulic engineering. His teaching interests include Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, Environmental Engineering, Water and Wastewater Engineering and Sustainable Engineering Design.

INTERVIEW

PIPE DREAM

Flounder Lee, Assistant Professor of Studio Art, reveals how living on a farm in Alabama inspired his award-winning installation

nspiration often comes from unexpected places, and the creative spark behind Flounder Lee’s award-winning piece ‘Water Works’, commissioned by Dubai Culture for the 2015 Sikka Art Fair, was no different. The installation, which earned Flounder the AUD Provost’s Award 2015 for Creativity in Design and the Visual Arts, used the same pipes as found on his family farm. Flounder, Assistant Professor of Studio Art at AUD, explains: “I grew

up on a commercial farm in Alabama and these lightweight pipes were used as a building material and for watering. For the installation, I needed a material that was cheap and easy to find in large quantities. I guess that pipes have always been in the back of my mind.” He also points to an intrinsic message behind the choice of material. “Pipes are something you don’t think about until something goes wrong.You turn on the tap and you expect water to

come out. When it doesn’t, or if you have a pipe burst in your house, that’s the only time you think about them. “That’s a metaphor for how we deal with water in the developed world – we don’t think about it. If you’re thirsty, you turn the tap on. But if you live in a developing country, you might not be able to do that.” Installed in the Al Fahidi area of Bur Dubai during the art fair from March 14 to 24 2015, Water Works consisted of over 1km of pipes, 3,500 fittings and a 20-minute soundtrack on a surround sound system, with audio clips of running water and educational films. To build the piece, Flounder started by sketching the form and then cutting the pipes into exact sizes. Given the large scale, Flounder adopted a “factory line” method of assembly by forming the pipes into squares, then rows, followed by sheets. These sheets of pipes were formed into cubes on-site, while Flounder “organically” connected them together.

INTERVIEW

The great thing about being an artist is you can do a project on anything. You can take your interests and follow them” This combination of machine-like production combined with organic finishing touches enabled Flounder to achieve an intricately crafted, largescale piece in a tight timeframe. Flounder says he “went a little crazy building it” due to the short deadline and experimental nature of the piece, adding that his wife helped on-site, as well as keeping him sane. He continues: “It could have failed epically, but one of the things I push my students to do is experiment. Nobody wins by doing the same thing as everybody else. If I’m not willing to do it myself, it’s hard to lead by example. I decided to do it and good things came from it.” The hard work certainly paid off for Flounder. As well as delighting visitors to the Sikka Art Fair, the piece featured in a five-minute documentary film, commissioned by the Reel Dubai Short Film Contest. However, the recognition on campus was the icing on the cake for the professor’s first year at AUD.

“I was really happy when I won the Provost’s Award. It’s different getting recognition outside than from your colleagues – the people you see day to day. It was a good feeling to end my first year successfully. To get picked for the art fair in my first six months, never having been to one in Dubai, was really exciting,” he says. Flounder explains that art was not his first profession of choice. “I went to university with a full scholarship to study aerospace engineering, but I just hated it. It wasn’t exciting to an 18-year-old. “I had been doing photography since I was 14, having worked for three professional newspapers when I was at high school. I went to art school and really loved it – I got to create and use a lot of the skills from engineering, like problem solving and research, without somebody telling me what to do. The great thing about being an artist is you can do a project on anything.You can take your interests and follow them, instead of being confined to a strict box.” Having left the US, Flounder’s Dubai adventure came after a brief stint in Malaysia for a semester. “This was not the right fit for me,” he continues. “I needed to be in a place where English was the primary language of instruction, that had a good art scene and a decent reputation. “Dubai was one of those places that met all of those criteria. A job at AUD was also the right fit for me. The university has many diverse perspectives – that makes it really fun. There are students and colleagues from all over the world.” His arrival in the UAE in 2014 coincided with a booming regional art scene, which is still on the up. “There is so much art happening, it is a really great time to be here as an artist. The gallery scene is established enough, with big names and lots of shows, but it’s still growing and not like London or New York, where it would take five years before you got to know anybody. It’s at a really exciting transition between being small and big.”

With the spectacular dome of the Louvre now gracing Abu Dhabi’s skyline, and opening scheduled for next year, the UAE will soon be home to a worldrenowned art institution. Flounder believes this gallery, set to contain around 800 artworks, will really put the UAE on the map as an artistic hub. “A brand name like the Louvre will bring a cachet that other places don’t have. It will bring a lot more permanent art collections than we have right now, and I think it will be really important in exposing more people to art. People will go, just because it’s the Louvre, but they’ll see really great things and be inspired,” he remarks. Crucially, Flounder believes the museum could have a knock-on effect of inspiring more students to pursue a career in art. “Having a museum will make the art industry seem more professional, in the eyes of the public, which is an important factor for getting people into art. Hopefully this means the amount of artists among the student population will grow.” n

A Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from California State University, Flounder Lee founded and directed SpaceCamp MicroGallery in Indianapolis. Flounder joined AUD in fall 2014 and was commissioned by Dubai Culture to create a large-scale installation called ‘Water Works’ for the 2015 Sikka Art Fair. The success of the artwork earned Flounder the AUD Provost’s Award 2015 for Creativity in Design and the Visual Arts.

INTERVIEW

AN INQUISITIVE MIND Sandra Alexander, Assistant Professor of Humanities, underlines the importance of ethics and critical thinking

he age-old proverb, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again’ certainly strikes a chord with Dr. Sandra Alexander, Coordinator of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Assistant Professor of Humanities. “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not really learning,” says Sandra. “I try to tell students they should desire criticism and get to the point of asking how they can do better. It sometimes comes with difficult pieces of advice.” Perseverance certainly pays off, and Sandra herself is enjoying a memorable year having picked up the 2015 President’s Award for Teaching

Excellence. She continues: “I see myself as a recipient rather than winner. There are so many people working here that I respect and would have happily seen collect the award. I was a bit surprised to get it, because I work with so many outstanding people. “To be given the award and recognized by Dr. de Masi is a big thing for me. He stands for excellence, so to get that recognition from him means the most.” MAKING THE SHIFT

Sandra was born and raised in southern California and studied for a BA at the University of California at

Irvine. She subsequently completed her Master’s at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, followed by a her Doctorate at the University of Oxford. In summer 2008, Sandra embarked on a new challenge in the Middle East, joining AUD to teach a course in World Cultures. Since then, her role has expanded to involve teaching Introduction to Philosophy and Logic courses and developing and teaching upper-level classes in Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy. Her area of research has shifted, as she explains: “When I came here I was just coming off the back of a doctorate

INTERVIEW

I want my students to think about the impact of their actions on other humans, non-humans and the environment” that looked at Art and Philosophy. Now I’m active in the area of Applied Ethics and Ethics and the Environment.” Sandra says this gravitation towards ethics was partly inspired by the challenges faced by the rapidly growing UAE, such as the future of energy, the conservation of the environment and the plight of stray animals. “The main thing I want my students to think about is the impact of their actions on other humans, non-humans and the environment,” continues Sandra. “I want to give them a breadth of understanding on different ethical dilemmas and get them to think critically.” She adds that ‘constructive criticism’ is not always seen as a positive term by students. “You shouldn’t be impolite, but offering a critical perspective can be done in a reasonable, civil fashion. “That’s the skill I want them to come away with from my classes. Critical thinking is the bottom line, especially in the Arts and Sciences.” She also highlights the importance of questioning. “One of the issues we tackle very early on in

Introduction to Philosophy is the idea that philosophy is dangerous. “Actually asking questions can be illuminating and strengthen a person’s belief in something. In my courses, we challenge preconceived ideas about critical disciplines such as philosophy.”

exciting developments in the pipeline. “The other Philosophy instructors and myself will be hosting our first annual Philosophy in the Gulf conference in Spring 2016. We have a critical mass of people that have a background and an active teaching research interest in Philosophy and Ethics.” Sandra also reveals she is writing an ‘Ethics Handbook’ for students which aims to address the challenges of higher education and professional life in the region. “To use the analogy of Plato’s cave, a lot of students think that university is not the real world. When they go outside the cave, that’s when the real world begins. “I think that affects how they view their decisions here. The Ethics Handbook is based on the very real decisions they have to make while undergraduates. It’s a text that gets them to think seriously and holistically about their experience here.” With their unwavering focus on ethics, Sandra and her team are helping to spread a strong and worthwhile message throughout the AUD community. n

EYE ON THE FUTURE

The ability to think critically is not just an imperative for a successful Philosophy student; it is also a prerequisite for creative professionals. “Artificial intelligence research is growing exponentially, but I don’t think we’ve got to a point where computers can be creative in the same way as human beings,” says Sandra. “In our courses, we try to realize the potential of that incisive ability to come up with new solutions.” After completing their studies, several graduates become philosophy professionals or academics and educators, according to Sandra. It is also common for International Studies graduates to work for governmental organizations, NGOs and media companies. When it comes to the road ahead for Sandra herself, she outlines many

A native of southern California, Dr. Sandra Alexander was awarded the Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oxford in 2003 for her work on the French phenomenologist Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Since joining AUD in 2008, she has taught the World Cultures and Introduction to Philosophy and Logic courses, and has developed and taught upper-level classes in Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy. In 2015 she received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence at AUD.

SPEAKERS AND CONFERENCES

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

This year’s AMIC conference, the first to be held in AUD and the Middle East, highlighted the cross-cultural power of social media

round one fifth of the 2,600 students that enrolled at AUD in Spring 2015 are majoring in a media-focused discipline, from Marketing Communications in the School of Business Administration, to Digital Media, Graphic Design and Advertising in the School of Architecture, Art and Design, to Journalism and

Digital Production and Storytelling in the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC). Therefore, it was wholly apposite that this year’s conference by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) was hosted by AUD and MBRSC. Taking place on 10-13 June, the first AMIC conference in the

Middle East brought together some of the greatest minds in the industry to discuss topics such as democratization, gender issues, media freedom, environmental concerns and media literacy. Addressing the audience on the conference’s opening day, AUD President Lance de Masi, said: “While we are in this auditorium, it is likely

SPEAKERS AND CONFERENCES

that somewhere on campus, a student is writing a headline, producing a vine, figuring out how to maximize earned media for a brand, or experimenting with innovative forms of interactivity.” Formed in 1971 in Singapore, AMIC has held an annual conference since 1991 – now one of the most important events in the communications field.

Arun Mahizhnan, AMIC’s Outgoing Chairman, gave a keynote speech to open the 2015 conference, which included a poignant hand-over to new leader, Dr. Crispin Maslog. Mahizhnan underlined the significance of the conference’s regional debut. “Though the name of AMIC starts with Asia, its reach has been rather limited to South East Asia, South Asia and East Asia – we never penetrated the Middle East. So AMIC is hugely happy to be here. We hope this is the beginning of a lasting relationship. We need much more involvement from the institutions and scholars from this region in discussing our common concerns.” He also revealed a remarkable coincidence between the organization and the Emirates – the first AMIC conference was held on 2 December 1971, the same day that the UAE became an independent country. He added that, during the last 44 years, the modern media world has been “revolutionized” and indeed “radicalized”, with governments leaders and media scholars struggling to keep up. “The new media [is] made possible by information and communication technologies, which seem to have become part of the DNA of humans. New technologies have brought with them great opportunities and also, unfortunately, great challenges,” said Mahizhnan. A common theme in the opening speeches was the role of media – particularly social – in uniting cultures. President de Masi added: “Today an interest in media truly stands out as a factor that unites every place on earth with every other place on earth. What a powerful force! “I can recall the outrage years ago – in fact, almost a quarter of a century – when Tony Swartz published his book with the nearly sacrilegious title, Media: the Second God. I wonder to what intensity of metaphor Swartz would rise today.” The fact that social media is exploited by radical groups was highlighted by Erin Burnett, anchorwoman at CNN.

Burnett was unable to attend the event due to pregnancy, yet recorded a thought-provoking speech that was played to the audience. In the recording, she pointed out that social media is enabling Isis to grow and thrive, adding: “Social media and inter-connectivity can empower openness and freedom but they don’t do it just by definition.” DRIVING CHANGE

Burnett also spoke of the imbalance in connectivity around the world, calling for improved access in less advantaged communities. “Every single one of you has a smartphone, but that’s not true around the world. Fewer than half the world’s mobile phone users have 3G or 4G. Facebook and Google have released new versions of their operations to work if you don’t have 3G or 4G. That increased access will help because you will have more voices to speak.” Yet she noted that technology is not an automatic driver for change, referencing her recent visit to the border between North and South Korea. “The globalization of things like Twitter and YouTube mean we are all inexorably being drawn together, but this is not always true. The DMZ [Korean Demilitarized Zone] is very real and very dangerous, and all the technology in the world hasn’t united North and South Korea.” The next esteemed speaker was Philip Seib, Vice Dean, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Professor of Journalism and Public Diplomacy, Professor of

Today an interest in media truly stands out as a factor that unites every place on earth with every other place on earth. What a powerful force!” 37

SPEAKERS AND CONFERENCES

International Relations, University of Southern California. Seib highlighted the proliferation of content in the modern world, and the limited attention span of users. “This new media universe has expanded to such a degree that competition is fierce. There is never a shortage of content, but there is a shortage of attention. Grabbing and keeping attention are increasingly difficult. “This means that you should not believe that you can post anything and that the people you want to reach will be certain to see it. Information is a product and members of the public are consumers. That relationship must be kept in mind.” He added that cross-cultural communication in the digital era involves unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities, yet believes the positives outweigh the negatives. “Taking advantage of those opportunities will require careful creativity and thorough understanding of the media tools that will be employed in delivering cross-cultural content,” he continued. “Thoughtful, carefully constructed communication is the bridge across those boundaries.” FUTURE TRENDS

With the constant emergence of new forms of technology, what will be the next game-changer for media and communication? Speaking to AUD Review in the interval, Seib pointed to holograms as a likely development in the not too distant future. “Instead of sitting at a news set, Erin could have projected herself. We’ll have things like that.” When it comes to social media, Professor Seib can only see it growing in importance and penetration. “The most important thing will be the proliferation of these [social media] tools…they rival the Internet as the most important invention since the printing press. It far transcends the arrival of the telephone, radio and television. It’s going to change the way that everyone does business and [is] changing the way international relations are working.”

Information is a product and members of the public are consumers. That relationship must be kept in mind” He also believes that connectivity levels will rise across the globe, with technology becoming increasingly affordable. “You will be able to buy a $40 smartphone in India – the technology is going to reach more and more people. Plus Facebook, Google and some of the other organizations are looking at connecting people to broadband. I would say that, by 2020, the economic disparity is going to diminish considerably. It won’t go away, but getting affordable technology is really important.” The rise in digital products will continue to exacerbate the dwindling demand for print media, according to Seib. “I think products on paper are going to be on the way down. The head of USA Today said that, in five to six years, the publication would be off paper. I think there will still be a USA Today, but it will be electronic. There will always, or almost always be a New York Times, but it’s not going to be on paper.

“The economic model is much better electronically – you don’t have to pay for paper, imports, or distribution. Once you get the advertising to shift to that tipping point, paper goes away. We also save more trees.” However, there is perhaps a danger of modern media becoming more about high-tech technology than thoughtful communication. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, AMIC’s Mahizhnan urged students to remember the true essence of media. He said: “Communication is very natural, it is not something you have to study as though it was neuroscience. It is something we practice every single day of our lives, but we have now been overwhelmed by technology. Instead of the technology being the slave, it is almost becoming a master to the human being. “My appeal to students is to study the new technologies but try to understand how they should serve people, and not that people should serve the technology.” n

SPEAKERS & CONFERENCES

BRISMES PUTS REGION IN FOCUS

The first collaborative conference between AUD and the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) took place in April. Renowned speakers included Columbia University’s Dr. Joseph Massad, an expert on Middle Eastern issues, and Dr. Gary Bunt from the University of Wales, a specialist on Islam and the Internet. Held under the theme ‘Re-Locating Middle East Studies: New Geographies of Discourse’, the conference explored new ways of academically perceiving and geographically organizing regional studies. Participants from various regions, including Europe, North America, North Africa and Southeast Asia, attended the panel presentations, engaged in intellectual dialogues with speakers and other delegates, and participated in the conference’s social and cultural activities. Dr. Woodman Taylor, Conference Academic Director - and Chair, Department of Visual Communication, AUD commented: “The conference certainly exceeded our expectations. Dr. Joseph Massad’s keynote address on ‘How Not to Study Women in the Muslim World’ was a brilliant analysis on the history of how these sensitive topics should be studied. “In the second keynote Dr. Gary Bunt discussed the presence and use of the internet by Muslim communities. These set the scholarly tone for the conference.” n

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY The School of Arts and Sciences at AUD welcomed guest speaker Sultan Al-Hajji, Vice President of Institutional Development at Total UAE, for a public lecture on the topic of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Middle East’ Al-Hajji’s lecture highlighted how the oil and gas industry not only benefits the local economy but also contributes to the social development of the UAE. The talk revealed how Total UAE’s CSR plans and initiatives have made a positive social impact in the region. It also disclosed details on how the company balances energy requirements with efforts to combat climate change, support corporate philanthropy and promote diversity. n

THE WRITE WAY Dr. Chris M. Anson from North Carolina State University presented an insightful talk on ‘The Role of Writing in All Disciplines: Better Learning, Stronger Engagement, and Wider Success’ to the School of Arts and Sciences at AUD in March. The distinguished professor and director of the Campus Writing and Speaking Program at North Carolina State University discussed research, which shows that students improve their writing through constant practice in various contexts. Dr. Anson advised teachers on how to integrate writing into courses that complemented coursework while also intellectually engaging students. n

SPEAKERS & CONFERENCES

AUD AND HARVARD CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP

AUD hosted the Harvard College in Asia Program (HCAP) for the seventh year in March, welcoming nine Harvard students as part of the partnership between the two institutions. HCAP is a nonprofit student organization at Harvard College that promotes academic, cultural, and social exchange among the future leaders of the United States and Asia. The conference opened with keynote speaker Rob Waller, [former]

US Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, reflecting on the bilateral relations and intercultural understanding between the two countries. It followed another successful Harvard University event in January – the third Harvard Model Congress Dubai (HMCD). This three-day government simulation conference saw high school students debate current world issues and gain knowledge about the functions of the US Congress. n

AUD WELCOMES HERMAN MILLER PRESIDENT

SEAN COVEY PROMOTES LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION

Herman Miller President and CEO Brian Walker visited AUD, reflecting the strong relationship between the university and the renowned furniture manufacturer. Walker made his first trip to the UAE to inaugurate the Herman Miller Regional Design Center and visit the AUD campus to strengthen ties with the university. He addressed faculty members, students and the AUD community at the Glass House, with a display of the HM heritage line. In an insightful talk, Walker stressed the importance of human-centered design and revealed the manufacturer’s mission to “inspire designs to help people do great things”. n

New York Times best-selling author and renowned speaker Sean Covey visited Dubai on March 25 to raise awareness of two programs: ‘The Leader in Me’ and ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students’. During the pioneering tour to the Middle East, Covey met with deans and senior executives of colleges and universities during the conference held at AUD. He discussed how The Leader In Me whole-school transformation model empowers and develops staff and students as leaders, changing the culture and performance of the school. n

GLOBAL CEO HAILS ‘MILLENNIAL’ GENERATION

AUD’s School of Engineering hosted a talk by Bill McDermott, SAP Global CEO, which urged UAE employers to embrace the potential of the ‘millennial’ generation. Millennials, aged 18-35, will make up 75 percent of the total global workforce by 2025, according to SAP. As the first generation born into the mobile device era, they have enormous potential to transform companies and markets, and make a positive impact on business and society at large, McDermott told students. n

AUD FORUM

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL Dr. Mohammad Obeidat highlights how Middle Eastern governments and businesses should support the development of female leaders

s societies continue to evolve and become more modern, the leadership of women is becoming more visible, inevitable and accepted in these societies. Almost universally, women are being increasingly recognized as equal to men with respect to any task, even if the women’s compensation – in cash and kind – does not reflect this equality. In the case of Jordan in the last two decades, the management of public and private organizations has conspicuously reflected significant growth in women’s leadership; this growth rate exceeds the comparable growth rate for men. During the period, Jordanians began to experience and contend with the reality of women as business leaders and decision-makers within organizations. In Jordanian society, there is still a residual resistance to accepting women as leaders. Such resistance, however, is receding gradually as an increasing number of Jordanians become more educated and as the women leaders successfully demonstrate their leadership capabilities. Jordan’s government supports women in their quest for leadership positions and equal treatment compared to men. This support

Middle Eastern women rely on family support for success – without this support, they will fail as leaders”

Joining AUD in 2015, Dr. Mohammad Obeidat is an Associate Professor of Marketing and teaches courses in undergraduate business and consumer behavior. Prior to entering academia, he worked in various marketing and managerial capacities in top Fortune 500 companies in the USA including UPS, ADT Security, and McGraw-Hill. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Wilmington University, USA, an MBA in Marketing from Strayer University, Washington DC and a BA from Yarmouk University, Jordan. His research interests include consumer attitudes, cross-cultural consumer research and online shopping behavior, with a current focus on the MENA region.

has been advantageous to women; however, it can result in them installed in leadership positions in businesses or government organizations that had no role in their professional growth. On account of this parachuting of female leaders into organizations, other women with longer tenures in the respective organizations are deprived of the opportunity to observe and learn how to evolve from being a ‘regular’ women to a leader in their field of endeavour. Despite notable advances made by Jordanian and other Middle Eastern women in leadership, there are still obstacles that must be overcome. One hurdle is that female leaders in the Middle East face approximately twice the number of challenges encountered by Western female leaders in comparable roles. Familial responsibilities militate against Middle Eastern women’s success in leadership positions; this seems to be the biggest challenge facing female leaders. As leaders in their fields, Middle Eastern women rely on family support for success – without this support, they will fail as leaders. Despite their successes, there are not many female leaders in the corporate sectors of Jordan and the rest of the Middle East. In the region’s public sectors, female leaders tend to be restricted to the education and social sectors. The region’s corporate and government sectors need to develop and implement many more programmes that monitor and facilitate the evolution of women as leaders. n

AUD FORUM

MEANINGFUL WORDS Dr. Nadia Wardeh uncovers how Dubai al-Thaqafiya magazine is helping to shape a modernized Emirati culture

n his book, My Vision – Challenges in the Race for Excellence, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum offered a detailed account of the vision that transformed Dubai into an international hub for commerce and finance. This economic transformation is studied by many scholars, journalists, analysts and experts who are interested in the ‘phenomenon of Dubai’. However, little scholarly enquiry has been undertaken on the cultural transition in the UAE and Dubai, in particular. October 2004 saw the launch of Dubai al-Thaqafiya or ‘Cultural Dubai’, a monthly literary publication which presents an ‘unconventional cultural vision’. In its first edition, Naser Iraq, a

renowned Arab writer, wrote an article explaining the importance of releasing a cultural publication at that critical moment. He argued that the release of a publication had become of even greater importance to “re-establish the Arab mind in order to preserve its glow and freedom, in light of a general international climate” that regards Arab nations unfairly. The magazine’s desired form of culture – as stated in the first edition – is “Arabic-speaking, global in its vision, humanitarian in its approach, and not dwelling on the past”. The initial issue also states “no society has tasted the pleasure of development without intellectuals and scholars occupying their respective places”.

Accordingly, Dubai al-Thaqafiya selected a number of the most distinguished modern Arab intellectuals, scholars, writers, journalists, cultural critics and poets to invent the desired modernized Arab culture, and to contribute to the restructuring of their society. Among the most celebrated names were Adonis, Ahmed Abdel Mu‘ti Hijaazi, Jaabir ‘Asfur, Abdul Aziz Al-Maqaleh and Farida El-Naqqaash. Most of the names are the same influential intellectuals and writers who contributed to an earlier pioneering cultural quarterly, issued in Beirut in October 1967, called Mawaaqif. In its first issue, Adonis revealed the objectives of Mawaaqif: to question all culture and history in order to renew Arab thought and knowledge. Sharing the same ultimate goal, Dubai al-Thaqafiya – as stated in its first article – “advocates the transforming of the Arab culture by continuing the call for constructing or reshaping the youth’s mind over a wide culture…”

AUD FORUM

Here, the magazine speaks the language of Sheikh Mohammed, emphasizing the creation of new Arab minds and striving to transform the prevailing culture. Dubai al-Thaqafiya not only filled a noticeable cultural and intellectual gap in the region, but achieved Dubai’s ultimate goal of becoming the leading cultural force in the Arab world. This became more opportune after the decline of the classical cultural capitals, such as Beirut, Cairo, Baghdad, and Damascus. SCHOLARLY STRUCTURE

Dubai al-Thaqafiya is divided into seven different chapters: ‘Panorama’ (memory of places), ‘In Depth’ (issues and investigations), ‘Drama of Life’ (theatre, cinema, television, and radio), ‘Colors and Shadows’ (sculpture, drawing, and photography), ‘Wings of Imagination’ (poetry, short stories, and translations), ‘Bright Lines’ (research and studies), and ‘Rhythm of the Soul’ (music and songs). It contains four additional sections: ‘Heritage of the Camera’, ‘World of Books’, ‘Culture in a Month’, and ‘Movie Club’. A combination of cultural and artistic themes reflects the magazine’s effort to cover various types of cultural interests for Arab readers, from different generations and backgrounds. Furthermore, the magazine surrounds itself with a network of professional correspondents in all Arab countries as well as Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. As much as the magazine focuses on its content, subjects and contributors, it pays the same attention to format and print quality. A close look at the layout of Dubai al-Thaqafiya reveals a serious attempt to present a different type of cultural journalism. Furthermore, every month since the 41st edition, Dubai al-Thaqafiya has included a free book by the best Arab innovators. Until now, over 100 books have been published in different artistic fields. In addition, the magazine initiated the ‘Dubai al-Thaqafiya Award for Creativity’. According to Directing Editor Nawwaaf Yunus, the awards are

Dubai al-Thaqafiya not only filled a noticeable cultural and intellectual gap in the region, but achieved Dubai’s ultimate goal of becoming the leading cultural force in the Arab world” valued at $150,000 and are separated into categories for poetry, short story, novel, fine art, discussion with the West, playwriting, documentary, feminist research, and book by an Emirati author. First prize in each category receives $7,000, while the Emirati Personality of the Year Award (Cultural and Creative) is worth $10,000 and granted to the Emirati innovator who has most influenced cultural life in the UAE and Arab World. By publishing the winners’ ‘modernized’ works, the magazine is able to broaden its circle of readers and spread ideas. Therefore, the award forms an important financial, mental, and cultural turning point in the lives and futures of several young Arab innovators.

Dr. Wardeh’s teaching career started while she was studying for a Ph.D at the Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University, Canada. She joined AUD in fall 2009 and is now Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Coordinator of the Middle Eastern Studies Program. Teaching various subjects in the fields of Islamic, Arabic, and Middle Eastern Studies, she was awarded the 2013 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

ONE OF A KIND

Looking at the content and production of Dubai al Thaqafiya, one can imagine the difficulties in maintaining a literary publication of such size and quality. However, it is heartening that the magazine has been running for more than ten years, while publishing a free book (sometimes two) with every issue and granting prestigious annual awards. Additionally the magazine is a nonprofit project, but does not rely on commercial advertising to survive. Furthermore, it is distributed regionally and worldwide at an affordable price. According toYunus, funding for the magazine is “under the mandate of the Government of Dubai Media Office”. As a result, His Highness supports the project and the magazine “continues to publish and disseminate its successes and achievements”. In fact, the founding of the magazine, as well as its name, is part of Sheikh Mohammed’s strategy to transform Dubai into an international hub for culture. It holds a very important role in attracting key intellectual figures to invent a distinctive cultural avenue. The establishment of Dubai al-Thaqafiya was well timed to realize the ruler’s objective, in which Dubai is envisaged as the new Beirut of the Arab world while Dubai al-Thaqafiya is the new Mawaaqif. Although the Emirati people are building new cities and advancing impressively in almost all fields, their ultimate goal – as Sheikh Mohammed maintains – is to develop minds and make the UAE a global cultural center. This appears to justify why the financial value of Dubai al-Thaqafiya’s Emirati personality of the year is greater than the other categories. Indeed, it is to encourage those who will eventually construct the desired modernized Emirati culture. n

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS NEWS

AUD SIGNS GOVERNMENT MOUs

AUD joined forces with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), becoming the first university to formalize an agreement with the entity. The agreement is a result of a longstanding relationship in which AUD has acted on behalf of DTCM as a Congress Ambassador to bring many academic events to Dubai. AUD signed a separate MoU with the Spanish Government,

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM TO EXPAND

represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC) - Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID), with the aim of supporting Spanish studies at AUD. As part of the agreement, the first of its kind in the UAE, selected Spanish language lecturers from Spain will be recruited as instructors at AUD. n

AUD pledged to increase the number of visiting students from the United States through an initiative to further develop AUD’s Study Abroad Program. As the first academic institution to join the Institute of International Education Generation Study Abroad initiative, AUD will expand its activities that facilitate U.S. participation in the university’s study abroad programs. Generation Study Abroad is a fiveyear initiative to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. n

EXCHANGE STUDENTS VISIT AUD

For the sixth year in a row, students from Bocconi University visited AUD as part of the Campus Abroad Program, with participation from 29 undergraduate students in their senior year. As well as receiving lectures from AUD professors, the students visited various corporations and cultural sites. Another exchange program saw the School of Business Administration (SBA) at AUD host students from Mumbai University,

one of the oldest and most revered universities in India. Last but not least, the Omnium Global Executive MBA Program held one of its six international modules on campus. Participants in the 18-month program are drawn from all over the world and study at local universities. The program leads to separate MBA degrees from both the University of Toronto and the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. n

AUD WELCOMES CONSUL GENERALS

The External Relations Office at AUD welcomed Rob Waller, the former US Consul General to Dubai, for an informal roundtable talk about UAEUS relations and his experience in the Foreign Service. Attendees included Dr. Lance de Masi, AUD’s President, Dr. Jihad Nader, AUD’s Provost, Mrs. Peggy

Awad, Director of External Relations as well as AUD students and visiting AUD Clinton Scholars. Meanwhile, Kazakh students studying at AUD met with the recently appointed Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Dubai, H.E. Mr. Arman Issagaliyev, and assistant to the consul Aibek Bekzhanov. n

ALUMNI PROFILE

INTO THE DEEP

Having set up Fantasy Diving while studying at AUD, Hassan Khayal is now living his dream as a scuba diving instructor and hands-on business owner

assan Khayal is a man who has dived into the deep end – by choice. Graduating from AUD’s Bachelor of Business Administration program in December 2014, he now owns and runs a successful scuba diving company and credits his studies for helping achieve his dreams. “Having already known the industry I wanted to work in – scuba diving – I wanted to obtain the skills that would aid me to operate in this industry, which is why I chose Business Administration and specifically Accounting and Finance. AUD was the obvious choice as it has the strongest business program in the UAE,” explains Hassan. As a testament to Hassan’s dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, he opened his scuba diving company, Fantasy Diving, while still a student at AUD. Today, he’s living the dream by spending his time diving in some of the UAE’s most talked-about dive spots while still having a strong handle on running a company in today’s competitive world. “The scuba diving industry is extremely enjoyable but also extremely challenging,” he continues. “Activities range from educational, as we teach and certify people at all levels, to entertainment, as we take certified divers on pleasure diving trips across the UAE and Gulf region. In addition, we organize international trips to many famous diving destinations. “Working in an industry that I’m passionate about makes me excited to get out of bed each and every single day. My days even stretch well into the late evenings at times when we have students for our Night Diving specialty.” Hassan’s AUD professors, including Dr. Abu Ali, would take pride in their former student’s passion for teaching.

“The various students make every day different, and the joy they get out of diving completely makes my day worth it, every single time,” says Hassan. “I especially enjoy teaching introductory level courses for people who are just entering the world of scuba

PROUD TO BE AUD “I’m definitely a proud AUD alumnus – I wear my class ring to show off my AUD pride all day every day, even when diving.The main inspiration during my university career definitely came from my professors. From the School of Business Administration, Dr. Abu Ali is a leading example of an educator, showing genuine care for the wellbeing of his students and the educational process. AUD has given me knowledge that cannot be placed against a numerical value, as well as a lifetime family and community that I will always be proud to say I belong to.”

diving. I can experience their joy and fascination, which reminds me of my own beginnings in diving and fills me with pride for being able to share my passion and love with the world.” Hassan is hoping to raise awareness and knowledge of the underwater world and emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment. He has already started work on special environmental awareness diving courses and is a partner with Project AWARE, an international non-profit organization for marine life sustainability. He has also chosen to return to AUD to continue his studies, having enrolled in the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program to further his goals. “What I have learned in AUD directly impacts my everyday life at work. While not directly applicable to scuba diving, business skills are a necessary part of any company, and my AUD education has greatly helped,” says Hassan. n

ALUMNI PROFILE

BUILDING A LEGACY AUD Alumna Fatma Rashid is practicing an unexpected side to architecture with big plans for her future

atma Rashid never imagined that an interest in design would pave the way to an exciting future in both architecture and diplomacy, but that’s exactly the road she’s now journeying. Emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication and seizing every opportunity, Fatma explains how her childhood passion for design has evolved into an exciting and unexpected career. “In high school, I realized that my passion for creativity and desire for understanding how things work seemed to be summed up in the form of architecture,” says Fatma. “When I started studying architecture, I discovered that this field is much more than that because the architect takes control of the environments where people live, socialize and work. An architect needs to have the right knowledge to realize the needs of the people.” Her studies in architecture laid the foundation to unforeseen professional paths, stemming from an enquiry through

AUD’s Career Services. “Initially, I never realized that being an architect and being a diplomat might go hand in hand, until I received an offer via Career Services, explaining that people from different fields have a chance to join the Emirates Diplomatic Academy.”

PROUD TO BE AUD “The summer after my fourth year, I was privileged to work as an intern at one of the world’s leading architecture firms, RMJM. A year later, when I applied for a position as a junior architect, my interviewer (who was also my supervisor during my time as an intern) explained how impressed he was with AUD’s alumni and students. Despite the fact that we were the first batch to graduate from the Architecture Department, he said we presented a quality of work that set us apart.That was one of my proudest moments as an alumna.”

With her eyes now opened to new possibilities, Fatma took up an architectural position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding a diplomatic role to her CV. Fatma’s position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was preceded by a brief stint at RMJM, one of the world’s top architecture firms. Fatma credits her time at AUD as integral in shaping an ambitious yet mature approach to design. “While studying architecture at AUD, we were encouraged to dream while finding a way to bring our ideas back to reality and make them work,” she explained. “Professionally, people can see the gap between dreamers and realists, but our five years of architecture taught us how to bridge that gap.” She added that AUD’s slogan of ‘where potential is turned into success’ rings true and advised students to make the most of the experience. Fatma dreams of setting an architecture firm that is not afraid to explore cutting edge ideas. To make this happen, she aims to spend the next few years understanding how the industry really operates. To fuel her passion, she spends most of her free time writing and sketching or discovering hidden alleys and secret architectural delights in Dubai. Her advice to other students is simple: make every moment count. “Take time to enjoy your time at AUD. Build relationships, because you will keep them for life, whether it is through support, friendships, or partnerships. Work the hardest and play the hardest during your senior year, because what you produce during this time will influence the next step of your life,” says Fatma. n