Sharjah Ruler announces expansion plans for American University of Sharjah

Sharjah (WAM): H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), has expressed his satisfaction at the university entering a new developmental stage, and announced plans for expansion of the College of Engineering. H.H. Sheikh Sultan made his remarks in his address to the Spring 2014 Commencement ceremony of the AUS yesterday at University City Hall, Sharjah. The ceremony was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. More than 500 students graduated in various majors offered by the university at the undergraduate and graduate levels. "It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate all of you graduates on your success; this great moment is a testament of your hard work and proof that you have achieved your aspirations and goals. If today is your day of happiness, it is also the day we share this happiness and joy with your mothers, fathers and family members," said Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. "As we celebrate your graduation today, we are confident that the knowledge you have earned and the experience that you have accumulated during your days at one of the top universities of the world qualifies you for a bright future-a future that is filled with honesty and success," said Sheikh Sultan. Speaking on Sharjah being declared the Islamic Cultural Capital this year, Sheikh Sultan said, "I am proud that our long-cherished dream of establishing a top-ranked educational institution has come true. This institution, which has stood firm with other strong institutions of the emirate of Sharjah, bears witness to the emphasis we have placed on the development of education and culture and in taking firm steps towards a knowledge-based economy. This has resulted in Sharjah being declared as the Islamic Cultural Capital this year and the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998." Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi also shared with the audience the future plans for the university. "As the university is now broadening its horizons and entering a new development stage, we hope to maintain our distinct standing as a university and recruit outstanding students and further strengthen the academic reputation of our highly qualified faculty members. The university is not only upgrading academically, but in terms of facilities as well. It plans to expand by adding new buildings and modern laboratories." Of these expansions, Sheikh Dr. Sultan focused on plans for the College of Engineering. "Although the AUS College of Engineering is the biggest in the region in terms of number of students and undergraduate and graduate programs offered, we plan to expand it further. We are currently in the design stage of a new building to be added to the college that will have advanced laboratories with modern equipment to help develop student's skills and provide the best of facilities, thus taking the total of number of laboratories across the engineering college to more than 100." He concluded his speech by asking graduates to use their higher education and skills for the benefit of their societies and nations. Also present at the ceremony were sheikhs, senior officials, members of the AUS Board of Trustees, vice-chancellors, senior university officials, as well as members of the media and the public. Speaking next was AUS Acting Chancellor Dr. Thomas John Hochstettler. "We, at AUS, have tried our best to equip our graduates with the means to step boldly into this new world. Our purpose has always been to provide our students with an environment that encompasses both academic and extracurricular excellence, to offer an education that is much more than the sum of its parts, one that readies them successfully to tackle all the challenges that life may bring their way," said Hochstettler. "Education, as we all know, is a life-long process. It does not end the moment you earn your mortarboard and tassel. If anything, this liminal moment here and now is when you really begin to benefit from and build on all that you have learned in the classroom. Education also plays an important role in how you define success. As you go through life, you will see for yourself that our definitions of learning, success and achievement-and the routes you take in arriving at those definitions-will vary and evolve with every stage of your lives," added the acting chancellor. As his final words of advice to the graduates, Hochstettler said, "As you leave here today with your degree in hand, with years of strenuous academic training and extensive experience in a wide variety of extracurricular activities now behind you, you must venture forth with determination to continue on this path of learning, growth and education. Embrace whatever opportunity life offers you. Experience it with the knowledge that it can only help you evolve into a wiser, kinder, better human being who can be an integral part of the community and the wider world. Only you can define the meaning of success and the route you must take to achieve that success." – Emirates News Agency, WAM