Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

VISION

The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning aspires to promote innovative teaching for an enhanced learning experience at AUS.

MISSION

The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning provides a welcoming environment that promotes pedagogical innovation, provides opportunities for the effective integration of technology and supports all faculty in their efforts to enhance teaching and learning.

The primary goals of CITL are aligned with the AUS institutional values:

Instructional Innovation (Transformative Student Experience)

• Cultivating a culture of classroom innovation that equips faculty members with pedagogical tools, strategies and knowledge necessary to support the integration of educational technologies that foster an inclusive and engaging learning environment for students of different backgrounds, experiences, cultures and abilities

Faculty Diversity and Inclusion (Inclusive Community)

• Providing faculty members with a mutually respectful intellectual environment in which diversity and inclusion are valued

Lifelong Learning (Intellectual Inquiry)

• Promoting professional development opportunities in teaching and learning in order to expand scholarship, lifelong learning and career growth
• Providing and transforming the intellectual academic growth and skill acquisition of our students

• Support the development, delivery and evaluation of courses and programs 
• Provide support for enhancing teaching and learning
• Support efforts to improve the assessments of learning outcomes
• Provide training and assistance with instructional pedagogies and technologies to faculty
• Provide personalized support to instructors for new and/or revised courses delivered in face-to-face, online or blended formats
• Assist in the development, use and evaluation of innovative learning environments
• Work in coordination with faculty to set effective and efficient standards for the use of learning and teaching technology tools
• Provide leadership in the development of coherent digital learning tools and platforms

Faculty Fellows commit to the following:

• serve as liaisons between the faculty of the school/college and the Director of the CITL to promote the continuous improvement of teaching and learning
• identify school/college specific interests and needs for best teaching practices
• develop a collaborative network of faculty committed to excellence in teaching and learning
• submit a progress report of your initiatives and activities at the end of every semester
• organize and lead teaching development events such as seminars and workshops:
  • suggest qualified moderators and panel members for CITL events
  • attend all CITL events
• stimulate cross-disciplinary interaction event topics around the use of technology in promoting active learning, student-centered approaches and evidence-based teaching pedagogy relevant to your school/college/department

The benefits of being a Faculty Fellow are:

• a stipend for each academic year of service
• use of CITL as a support platform for teaching and learning projects in your school/college
• the opportunity to serve up to two academic years (upon approval of their renewal application)
• priority enrollment in all CITL programs
• recognition as a Faculty Fellow and leader supported by your school/college in ways that advance your university-level service record
• the opportunity to develop a network of engaged educators to support the AUS educational mission towards a transformative student experience

If you have an interest in promoting active learning, student-centered approaches, evidence-based teaching pedagogy and academic technologies, you should apply to be a Faculty Fellow.

Fellowships require at least a one-year commitment.

Dr. Sandra Knuteson
BCE Sciences Internship Coordinator
Senior Lecturer
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (BCE)

Dr. Sandra Knuteson is Senior Lecturer of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability at AUS.  In her role, she teaches ENV 100 Principles of Environmental Science (for non-STEM students only), ENV 150 Introduction to ENV Sustainability, ENV 365 Environmental Sustainability Management System, and ENV 465 Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring (for STEM students only). She is the Internship Coordinator for students in the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability program and a mentor for various sustainability-related projects and competitions. 

From 2014 to 2023, she was the faculty mentor for the AUS Green Team in the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency's Sustainable Campus Initiative (EAD SCI). Every year, this group developed an AUS Green Campus Audit to monitor environmental and sustainability indicators in water and energy use, biodiversity and land use, waste management and climate change.  The AUS Green Team won Best Green Campus Audit (out of up to 21 universities in UAE) every year that the EAD SCI judged the submissions as a contest.

Her research and scholarship cover a broad range of topics, from local environmental and food monitoring, environmental and sustainability management, and education.  She has had research grants in environmental and sustainable education at the primary, secondary and university levels.  She has presented her research locally and internationally, to discuss how to develop more sustainable educational institutions.     

Philosophy: 

“I believe that it is through integrating knowledge of the natural and social sciences that students will be able to create solutions for our urgent environmental and sustainability issues of our day. In my courses, I aim to make AUS the central real-world example of sustainability in course projects. In other words, I use AUS as a ‘living laboratory,’ which makes projects relate to several of the QS and AASHE STARS sustainability rating system checkmarks. Outside my courses, I also strive to help students develop a greater understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship through competitions and activities.”   

Kristina Katsos
Senior Instructor
Department of International Studies

Kristina Katsos is a Senior Instructor in the Department of International Studies at AUS with expertise in instructional design and technology. Her research focuses on emerging technologies in education, student engagement strategies focused on sustainability themes, and the role of energy in international relations. 

Philosophy: 

“Being given the opportunity to serve as a faculty mentor with the CITL is a great privilege. It allows me to not only guide and inspire colleagues in their teaching and research journeys but also to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas can flourish. Through mentorship, we shape the future of education and empower one another to achieve our highest potential, ultimately advancing our collective mission of excellence in learning and discovery.” 

Alaa El-Dien Hamade
Senior Instructor 
Department of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Alaa Hamade has been a member of the faculty at AUS since 2011, where he lectures in business, management, and business information systems. His courses are consistently highly evaluated due to his engaging and exciting lecturing style. Hamade completed his MBA and BS in Business Administration from AUS. His knowledge and experience allow him to be an influential academic advisor and a supportive mentor to many students at AUS, guiding them toward academic success, career progression and professional development. He has garnered a reputation as a go-to mentor for these topics.

Hamade is also an Associate Certified Coach of the International Coach Federation (ICF), with experience coaching future leaders of top UAE-based organizations as part of their leadership development program and his involvement as part of the Assessment Team and Coaching Team for the Sharjah Leadership Program. 

Philosophy: 

“My teaching philosophy is rooted in passion and a commitment to student success. I chose teaching over more lucrative opportunities because I find purpose in nurturing student growth. Education, in my view, is a service where I am responsible for elevating students' knowledge. Whether teaching technical courses like Business Information Systems or managerial concepts, I aim to provide high-quality education tailored to student needs. I believe in fostering self-confidence and knowledge in my students, ensuring their growth. My philosophy is driven by the belief that teaching excellence is achieved when students' educational needs are prioritized and fulfilled.”

Dr. Mohammad O. Hamdan
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Mohammad O. Hamdan is a professor in the AUS Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Hamdan has published over 103 manuscripts in the thermofluids area. He has supervised more than 25 PhD and MS students. He is an editor and a member of the editor board for multiple international mechanical engineering international journals. He has participated in organizing many international conferences in the UAE and is a member of multiple international scientific societies, including ASME, AIAA and ASES.

Between 2007 and 2015, Dr. Hamdan taught at UAE University. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as a research scientist for GE’s research center in New York. Between 2003 and 2005, he worked as a structure analyst engineer for Honeywell International in California. He started his career as an adjunct professor teaching in the College of Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, USA. Dr. Hamdan is a member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists (MBRAS) under the Engineering and Technology Category. 

Philosophy: 

“My teaching philosophy is based on many components that aim to develop interactive learning, enhance logical thinking, boost students’ problem-solving capabilities and life-long learning, excite students to learn and promote the use of modern packages and learning facilities. The primary target remains to achieve the learning outcomes with an appropriate level of attainment. I keep my teaching style dynamic and innovative to continuously adapt with students’ needs. I consider student evaluation at the end of the course and their comments during the course as my main venue to improve and innovate my teaching style. I do interact with students both in class and outside the class. In-class interaction and active participation of students are crucial elements of the learning process. 

Involving my students in discussions about the problems tackled and exploring alternative solution methods is vital for maintaining student engagement and ensuring a solid understanding of the concepts discussed. I encourage proactive participation in class, asking students to engage in discussions and suggest ideas or tools to better grasp the material. I emphasize the importance of outside class work and am always available to assist during office hours and whenever I'm in my office. To blend theory and practice, I assign innovative projects that enhance understanding without overloading students. By integrating current research and practical examples from my professional experience, I help bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” 

Camilo Cerro
Associate Professor
Department of Architecture 

Camilo Cerro is an award-winning eco-social designer, sustainable living researcher, author, cultural nomad, design tinkerer and educator. As an associate professor, he teaches both in the architecture and interior design programs at AUS, and has coordinated twice the study abroad program that AUS has in Barcelona, Spain.

Cerro earned his Master of Architecture at Columbia University in the city of New York, where he was the recipient of an honor for excellence in advanced architectural design and the William Kinne Memorial Fellowship, and his undergraduate degree at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. With over 20 years of professional practice in the fields of architecture, interior, product and furniture design, he is the founder and principal of Dharmatecture LLC in Brooklyn, New York. He has lectured on his research internationally and published widely.

Philosophy: 

“In the present context of the rising awareness of ecological issues and the development of emerging technologies, my current research interest focuses on the study of how formal and informal networks can be transformed through an undertone of sustainable technologies, into interdependent systems designed to better the quality of life for individuals and communities. With the aim of moving towards a convergence between the built environment and nature, my research proposes a hybrid that uses ethical design ideas as a process to contextualize design in culture, developing sociopolitical and site-specific answers to real problems. This approach is not looking for formal studies, but a cohesive system that works at every scale and keeps evolving dynamically through the social interactions they generate.”

Explore the highlights from Fall 2024, in which CITL hosted a series of impactful workshops and events aimed at enhancing teaching practices across AUS. From the warm welcome of new faculty to hands-on training in technology integration, these sessions provided valuable opportunities for professional growth. Key moments included workshops on "Teaching Critical Thinking," "Constructive Alignment in Course Design," and "The Best of Both Worlds: Harmonizing Human-Centered Teaching with Technologically-Driven Classrooms." In addition, we continued our Apple in Education training and introduced our partnership with Jalinga Interactive Studio to help faculty create dynamic instructional materials for hybrid and online courses. A thought-provoking panel discussion on philosophy and AI also explored the philosophical implications of AI in education. Each event offered faculty practical insights and tools to engage students and enrich the learning experience.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2024.

Explore the workshops and events from Spring 2024, in which CITL hosted a variety of motivating workshops and events. From the Spring 2024 New Faculty Orientation to the panel discussions, faculty engaged in opportunities to enhance their teaching practices and integrate AI tools. Notable moments include the launch of the AI Hub and the Second Annual Best Practices in Teaching and Learning Conference. Additionally, the Revamped CUT Program introduced a fresh lineup of workshops to support PhD students in the CUT program. 

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Spring 2024.

In Fall 2023, CITL embarked on a season of educational growth, exploration and collaboration. Our lineup featured a diverse range of workshops and events designed to ignite creativity, foster effective teaching strategies, and harness the power of innovative technologies in education. These were all offered to seasoned educators and new joiners of AUS as we strive to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences for all.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2023.

The lineup of workshops and events held in Spring 2023 offered faculty an enriching and collaborative learning experience. Our carefully curated sessions aim to empower educators with innovative teaching strategies, cutting-edge technology integration, and a supportive community to enhance the educational landscape. As we ushered in a new season, we were thrilled to be a part of our teaching community’s professional growth as we aimed to create dynamic and engaging learning environments.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Spring 2023.