AUS celebrates graduation of 794 students in Sharjah
The event brought together university leadership, faculty, families and guests to recognise the achievements of a graduating class representing 47 nationalities.
Sheikha Bodour and AUS Chancellor Dr Tod Laursen each delivered a commencement address, sharing messages of pride, perseverance and purpose.
Sheikha Bodour said, 'Through determination and tenacity, our graduates leave AUS equipped with firstly academic credentials they can be proud of, but also with the courage to ask tough questions, the empathy to lead with care, and the vision to shape a world of progress and humanity. As they step into the uncertainty of the future, I have every confidence they will adapt, lead with purpose and compassion, and that their decisions will be anchored in highest values of AUS and of Sharjah.'
Chancellor Laursen added, 'This graduating class reflects the very essence of our mission-empowering students with the academic strength, ethical grounding and global perspective needed to navigate and lead in a rapidly changing world. We are proud to see them leave AUS not just with degrees, but with the confidence, curiosity and resilience that will define their contribution to society.'
Guest speaker Emi Mahmoud, a poet, activist and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, addressed the graduating class with a powerful reflection on resilience and purpose.
A Yale graduate, Mahmoud is internationally recognised for her spoken-word poetry and humanitarian work, using her platform to advocate for peace, education and climate justice. Her message to students highlighted the importance of applying their education and skills to drive meaningful change.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to academia and research, AUS conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Dr Manahel Thabet, honouring her exceptional achievements in the fields of economics and artificial intelligence.
Thabet is a distinguished economist, scientist and expert in quantum mathematics and financial engineering.
She is a Guinness World Record holder for conducting the largest memory lesson and is recognised among the 30 smartest individuals alive by Super Scholar.
Her global impact includes advising institutions on AI-driven economic strategies and earning accolades such as the Brain of the Year Award and the Arab Woman of the Year Award for Achievement in Scientific Development. She also serves as the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth in Science and Technology.
Student voices were central to the ceremony.
Graduate Kareem Mohmoud Hijazi spoke about overcoming self-doubt and building confidence through academic rigour and mentorship at AUS, while graduate Ahmed Ayman Ahmed emphasised the privilege of education amid global unrest and the responsibility to give back. Their reflections captured a collective spirit of resilience, ambition and gratitude.
The ceremony also featured the announcement of the university's top student honours.
For the first time in AUS' history, the President's Cup was awarded to four students for achieving the highest academic standing in their graduating class-Hussain Ali Sajwani (finance), Hamze Kassem Soueid (electrical engineering), Omar Khaled Farrag (computer engineering) and Yousef Belal Irshaid (computer engineering with a minor in data science).
The Chancellor's Cup, awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional academic excellence, character and service, was presented to Fahad Mahmoud (management information systems with a minor in supply chain management), who graduated magna cum laude.
'AUS is where I made unforgettable memories with friends who became like family. We grew stronger through every challenge, fuelled by discipline and support,' said graduate Sajwani.
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
20 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Can growth survive a decade of disruption?
We are entering an age where growth is no longer the result of favourable conditions. It is shaped by resilience, discipline, and clarity of purpose. Today's leaders must respond to a world defined by geopolitical fragmentation, shifting trade routes, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying regulatory pressure. Growth in this environment is not a passive outcome of expansion. It is the result of choices made deliberately and executed with conviction. Across the Middle East, governments and institutions are pushing forward with long-term transformation agendas despite these headwinds. This is not a sign of immunity to risk but rather a reflection of the region's ambition to shape its own trajectory. Growth cannot be assumed. It must be built, step by step, through leadership that reads the signals of change and adapts without hesitation. In this context, some strategic priorities will define which institutions are equipped to sustain progress in a world that rewards speed but punishes fragility. Digital as infrastructure Digital transformation has moved past from being a competitive differentiator. It has become foundational to institutional relevance. The most meaningful progress is taking place in the systems that operate behind the interface. These are the infrastructures that support scale, enable intelligent decisions, and respond to market dynamics in real time. As regulatory expectations evolve around artificial intelligence, data privacy, and operational resilience, digital capability is no longer a matter of customer experience alone. It is now essential to compliance, stability, and long-term viability. Financial services are increasingly delivered through third-party environments including retail, logistics, and healthcare. This shift demands that institutions design technology to integrate, not just operate, and prioritise security, compatibility, and consistency at every level. Cybersecurity and trust as core competencies Digital trust has become a strategic issue. It is no longer confined to risk departments or audit reports. It sits at the center of how institutions are evaluated by customers, regulators, and partners. Trust today is defined by how institutions manage identity, protect data, and communicate during incidents. Cybersecurity must be treated as a forward-looking investment, not a reactive function. Customers are interacting through digital channels by default. Their expectations are shaped by platforms that operate at the highest levels of transparency and reliability. In this environment, institutions cannot afford to treat trust as a legacy advantage. It must be maintained, reinforced, and actively governed. Talent that reflects market reality As economic cycles compress and technological shifts accelerate, institutions need people who can operate under pressure, adapt quickly, and lead across functions. The most valuable employees are not just subject-matter experts. They are systems thinkers with the ability to connect trends, navigate ambiguity, and drive outcomes. The workforce of the future will not be built through static recruitment models. It requires investment in learning, exposure to real-world problem-solving, and a culture that values experimentation over process for its own sake. Leadership is no longer defined by seniority or tenure. It is measured by decision-making quality in uncertain environments. Growth that is context-aware and selective Institutions must be strategic in how they pursue growth. Market entry or expansion should be based on more than opportunity. It must be grounded in policy alignment, infrastructure maturity, and the presence of real demand. Institutions that succeed in this environment are those that understand nuance, move deliberately, and stay disciplined even when conditions appear favourable. Growth should be seen as a commitment to creating long-term value within well-understood contexts. This includes evaluating how financial ecosystems are evolving, identifying gaps that can be addressed collaboratively, and ensuring that expansion aligns with regulatory and social expectations in each market. Reframing engagement around people's lives The expectations of customers have shifted. They now look for financial experiences that integrate into daily life, support planning, and adapt to change. Banking is no longer about isolated transactions. It is about enabling individuals and businesses to move forward with confidence. Real-time budgeting, automated investment, and integrated insurance are no longer fringe services. They are becoming central to what customers expect from financial partners. Institutions must not only deliver these services but do so in ways that are intuitive, responsive, and responsible. Meeting these expectations requires more than technology. It requires a mindset that places the customer's needs at the heart of how strategy is developed and executed. Strategy built to endure In a world where conditions shift rapidly and certainty is limited, institutions must design their strategies to last. This involves building models that absorb shocks, sustain relevance across cycles, and deliver value regardless of market volatility. Growth will not favour those who simply react to change. It will favour those who act with discipline, lead with foresight, and remain accountable to the environments they operate in. That is the work ahead, and that is how institutions will prove their resilience.
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Faya nomination reflects Sharjah's heritage commitment, says Bodour
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, official ambassador for the ongoing Unesco World Heritage nomination of the Faya Palaeolandscape said, "The decision by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to approve the boundaries of the Faya site nominated for inscription on the Unesco World Heritage List, embodies his far-sighted vision and profound commitment to protecting humanity's heritage and safeguarding its treasures for future generations. "This site, whose history has been intertwined with that of humankind for more than 200,000 years, not only reinforces Sharjah's position as a global centre of knowledge and culture, but also reflects our steadfast belief that heritage is a bridge connecting the past to the present, granting communities a renewed identity and a living memory.' She emphasised, "We are working with utmost dedication and determination to ensure that the Faya site receives the recognition it truly deserves on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This place is not merely a testament to the history of the UAE alone; it stands as witness to the history of all humanity." "Faya holds invaluable evidence of early human migration routes and represents a rare chapter in the story of human evolution and adaptability. As partners with the international community in preserving heritage, we affirm that protecting this site and deepening the world's understanding of it is a collective responsibility-one that we in Sharjah embrace with utmost seriousness and passion, firmly believing that safeguarding heritage is, in essence, safeguarding identity and enriching our collective understanding of humanity,' she said.
Tahawul Tech
3 days ago
- Tahawul Tech
U.S. Senate votes on state-level AI regulation
The US Senate has voted to block a proposed 10-year ban on state-level AI regulation in the country. In a vote recorded on a US government website, senators approved an amendment to remove the moratorium from US President Donald Trump's controversial tax-cut and spending bill. According to Financial Times (FT), supporters of the AI proposal argued it would prevent a fragmented regulatory environment across US states that could compromise the country's innovation and competitiveness against China. However, the proposal exposed rifts in the Republican party as some lawmakers pushed back against limiting state authority over AI, arguing it was a rapidly evolving technology with potential economic and social impacts, FT reported. As a result, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick offered a potential compromise, voicing support on social media platform X for a shorter, five-year restriction instead. 'If we're serious about winning the AI race, we must prioritise investment and innovation,' he stated. The amendment to Trump's bill was introduced by Republican senator Marsha Blackburn, who had previously suggested a similar compromise to shorten the moratorium to five years and allow limited state regulation, such as protections for artists and online child safety, provided it didn't create a 'disproportionate burden' on AI systems, Reuters noted. However, Blackburn withdrew support for that proposition ahead of the amendment vote. 'Blocking states from regulating AI without a national standard in place would hand another victory to greedy big tech companies who put profits over people,' she explained in a post on X. Indeed, FT reported that critics including AI safety advocates warned that leaving the industry to self-regulate could lead to harmful consequences as companies race to deploy advanced models. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image
