College of Engineering: Our History | American University of Sharjah
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Timeline

1997-2025

  • 1997
  • 1998
    • First accreditation by CAA

      CEN undergraduate programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

  • 2001
    • First cohort of CEN graduates

      The first graduating class of AUS celebrates commencement at University City Hall, with 82 students receiving their degrees, out of which 23 were from CEN.

  • 2002
  • 2004
    • First accreditation by ABET

      BSChE, BSCE, BSCoE, BSEE, and BSME receive accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). BSCS receives accreditation from the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. AUS becomes the first university in the Gulf region and the second outside the United States to receive this accreditation.

  • 2007
    • 1,000 CEN alumni

      CEN alumni family grows to more than 1,000 members.

  • 2008
  • 2009
    • Establishment of Riad T. Sadek Chair in Civil Engineering

      The Riad T. Sadek Chair in Civil Engineering is established and an endowment of AED 15 million is received from Mr. Riad T. Sadek, Chairman, RTS Investments Group.

    • Establishment of Petrofac Research Chair in Renewable Energy

      The Petrofac Research Chair in Renewable Energy is established, as a result of AED 15 million donation by Petrofac, to enable pioneering and progressive research in renewable energy.   

  • 2011
    • Establishment of Dana Gas Chair in Chemical Engineering

      The Dana Gas Chair in Chemical Engineering is established with an endowment of AED 15 million as a support for education and research.

  • 2012
    • Launch of Industrial Engineering program

      AUS launches an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering. The program receives ABET accreditation in 2015.

  • 2016
    • 5,000 CEN alumni

      CEN alumni family grows to more than 5,000 members.

  • 2017
    • Launch of GCC’s first graduate program in biomedical engineering

      CEN launches the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, the first such program in the GCC region. 

    • 2017 - Construction of Engineering Sciences Building (ESB)

      CEN expansion and Engineering Sciences Building (ESB) project commences to support the latest learning modes and new state-of-the-art laboratories and to significantly expand the teaching and research space.

    • 2017 - Attainment of 2 Pearl rating by Estidama

      Developed in accordance with the sustainability requirements of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, ESB achieves 2 Pearl Estidama Certification, the first building to achieve this rating outside Abu Dhabi. 

  • 2018
  • 2019
    • Inauguration of Engineering and Sciences Building (ESB)

      ESB is inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The 24,000 m2 four-story facility houses two auditoriums, 35 teaching and research laboratories, and 24 classrooms, including smart classrooms.

  • 2020
    • Launch of PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

      The College of Arts and Sciences launches PhD in Materials Science and Engineering in collaboration with CEN, to develop regional expertise and contribute research, innovation and sustainable solutions to benefit the healthcare, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

    • Launch of Master of Science in Construction Management

      CEN launches the Master of Science in Construction Management to provide talent influx and address the contemporary challenges in the construction industry. 

  • 2021
    • First cohort of PhD graduates

      CEN celebrates the first students to graduate with the PhD in Engineering Systems Management.

  • 2022
    • Distinguished achievements in world university rankings

      CEN receives high recognition in QS World University Subject Rankings, with civil engineering ranking #101-150 in the world and #1 in the UAE, and AUS scoring the highest in employer reputation across all engineering subjects.

    • Achievement of CAA clustering privileges and high confidence

      AUS is recognized as a high confidence institution by the CAA. CEN becomes the first college in the UAE to receive CAA clustering privileges in recognition of its outstanding quality of education. 

    • Launch of PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering

      CEN adds the PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering to its portfolio, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, to address the current and future healthcare challenges nationally and globally. 

    • Launch of the CEN Innovation Program (CEN-IP)

      The CEN Innovation Program was launched to enhance engineering students’ educational experience and strengthen CEN's community engagement.  

  • 2023
    • 8,000 CEN alumni

      CEN alumni family grows to more than 8,000 members. 

      Some of CEN graduates have become CEOs of large corporations and state ministers. Others have chosen the entrepreneurship track and started their own companies. Many of our graduates have also gone on to higher education at prominent universities around the world. Today, the AUS College of Engineering offers its students extraordinary opportunities, and our students, alumni, faculty and staff are making continuous impact to build a better tomorrow. 

      CEN currently has 89 full-time faculty,  23 lab instructors, and 18 staff members. CEN student body consists of 2234 students from 56 different nationalities with a 64 to 36 male to female ratio.

    • CEN excels in global rankings

      CEN is ranked 356 worldwide in the Engineering and Technology subject as per the 2023 QS World University Rankings

    • Launch of AUS Engineering Al Nukhba (Elite) Program

      The College of Engineering (CEN) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) has launched the AUS Engineering Al Nukhba (Elite) Program, designed to strengthen the college’s industrial outreach and enrich the learning experience of students.

    • Launch of AUS Engineering 4+1 Study Abroad Program with University of Edinburgh School of Engineering

      AUS students who have completed four years of their undergraduate engineering studies at AUS have the opportunity to join the University of Edinburgh (UoE) for one year to pursue their master’s degree within the School of Engineering.

    • Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi named inaugural Senior Fellow at AUS

      As part of American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) long-standing tradition of fostering academic excellence and cultivating a vibrant intellectual environment, the university has bestowed the title of Senior Fellow in the AUS College of Engineering (CEN) on His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Former Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Former Minister of Infrastructure Development in the UAE.  

    • Launch of CEN 2.0

      CEN 2.0 - Empowering future engineers for better success in industry, future graduate studies and as global citizens.

      Significant amendments of all seven undergraduate engineering programs were launched in Fall 2023 to ensure the programs are robust and better meet student needs.

    • Launch of the First CEN GER Course on Sustainable Development

      The College of Engineering launched the first GER course that covers the concepts, principles and applications of sustainable development. It examines the challenges of sustainable development and the role of human intervention on the protection of the environment, explores the environmental, economic, social, and cultural aspects of sustainable development, covers applications of sustainable development in the built environment, sustainable cities and infrastructure, water and energy management, and resilient infrastructure and addresses balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.

    • Launch of CEN Career Hub

      The College of Engineering (CEN) Career Hub provides students with career support, guidance and personal development tools that will enable them to transition from a university setting into industry and business life.

    • Launch of First Executive Education Offering to South America

      The American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN), in a strategic collaboration with EADIC, a renowned postgraduate institution known for its engineering and architecture e-learning programs, conducted a five-day executive education course. Titled "Project Planning and Scheduling," this course was a part of a week-long program aimed at in-depth training in construction project planning and scheduling.

    • Launch of Discover Engineering Campaign

      CEN’s Discover Engineering campaign kicked off with 42 activities that involved 1,800 students of which female representation comprised 50 percent from more than 100 schools in the UAE, and who were selected through a vigorous process out of 3,800 applicants. The campaign included a series of bootcamps, workshops, competitions, pre-university enrichment visits, the CEN Shadow Program, Engineering Open Day and High School Counselors Day.

    • Launch of the CEN International Research Visit (CEN-IRV) program

      Stepping into a new era of academic collaboration, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) has introduced the CEN-International Research Visits Program (CEN-IRV) to bolster international research partnerships by enabling AUS faculty to engage with and visit universities and research centers across the globe.

  • 2024
    • Launch of the Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center

      The American University of Sharjah (AUS) Board of Trustees has approved the launch of three research centers within the university to bolster its research agenda. Hosted in the AUS College of Engineering (CEN), the Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC) will develop world-class research, making a significant impact globally and enabling AUS to support several UAE strategic plans. The College will also contribute to the Materials Research Center hosted in the College of Arts and Science, in addition to the Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development hosted in the School of Business Administration.

    • Launch of Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering

      The new Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering (BSCHBE) is approved by the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. The program will allow students to benefit from studying in a multicultural environment that fosters critical thinking, lifelong learning, frequent opportunities to interact with faculty and staff, use of state-of-the-art chemical and biological engineering teaching and research laboratories and simulation software and development of communication skills.

    • Launch of Bachelor of Science in Digital Construction Engineering and Management

      The Bachelor of Science in Digital Construction Engineering and Management (DCEM) is an innovative and interdisciplinary degree that combines the problem-solving and design aspects of civil engineering with construction management courses. This program equips students with the knowledge of digital technology and smart systems applications in the new construction industry. It is accredited by the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. 

    • Launch of Bachelor of Science in Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics Engineering

      The Bachelor of Science in Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics Engineering (BSIME) is a multidisciplinary program that merges the expertise and resources of electrical and mechanical engineering. This program is accredited by the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. 

    • Launch of Master of Science in Machine Learning

      The Master of Science in Machine Learning (MSML), offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at AUS, will prepare students for advanced careers and/or doctoral studies in disciplines related to machine learning (ML).

    • Launch of Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering in Collaboration with Sharjah Civil Defense

      The Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering is designed to provide engineering students with a strong foundation in safety and fire protection with a focus on improving safety in industrial facilities and buildings. Feedback from the various industrial advisory boards, students, alumni and Sharjah Civil Defense have supported the development of this new minor and indicated a strong demand for graduates with a safety and fire engineering background.  

    • Launch of AUS Engineering 4+1 Study Abroad Program with Lawrence Technological University, USA

      American University of Sharjah (AUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Southfield, Michigan, USA, that will facilitate AUS engineering students to pursue graduate studies at LTU and introduce collaborative academic and training programs. Based on the agreement, AUS engineering students can benefit from a 4+1 program where those who have completed four years of their undergraduate engineering studies at AUS can earn a master’s degree from LTU in just one year.

    • Launch of the first Dual Masters Degree program with the College of Innovation and Technology at UM-Flint, USA

      American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Regents of the University of Michigan, representing the University of Michigan-Flint College of Innovation and Technology (UM-Flint), have forged an agreement to introduce a collaborative educational initiative for a dual master’s degree program.

    • Launch of Advanced Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Center

      Chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah (AUS), the AUS Board of Trustees approved the establishment of three new research centers, the launch of a Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) Program and several high-level appointments at its June 2024 meeting.

    • Launch of Artificial Intelligence, Smart Infrastructure and Robotics Research Center

      Chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah (AUS), the AUS Board of Trustees approved the establishment of three new research centers, the launch of a Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) Program and several high-level appointments at its June 2024 meeting.

    • AUS reaffirms excellence with prestigious ABET accreditation for seven engineering programs until 2030

      American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) has once again proven its commitment to academic excellence, by successfully renewing the accreditation for seven of its undergraduate programs with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The seven undergraduate programs, reaccredited through September 30, 2030, include CEN’s chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science programs. The final report from ABET was particularly gratifying, as it confirmed that none of the programs exhibited any deficiencies, weaknesses or concerns, which reflects the high standards of the programs offered.

  • 2025
    • Launch of PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

      The PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (PhD-CEE) is a comprehensive program that equips students with a strong foundation and opportunities to conduct innovative research that incorporates elements of sustainability, resiliency, security, digitization, and robustness. Guided by world-class faculty at the forefront of their fields, students benefit from a dynamic research environment and collaborations with top academic, industry and government organizations to advance their expertise and pursue groundbreaking discoveries.

    • Launch of PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

      The Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD-ECE) degree program is a comprehensive program offering students a deep understanding of the foundations of research, enabling them to conduct their own dissertations in a variety of topics. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to address the complex challenges that arise in the fields of electrical and computer engineering. Offered by the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering, the curriculum includes training in advanced topics such as electronics, computer architecture, signal processing, telecommunications, smart grids, artificial intelligence and control systems. 

    • Launch of the Dual Masters Degree program with Queen’s University, Canada

      American University of Sharjah (AUS) has partnered with Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada to introduce a dual master’s degree program in computer science and computer engineering, one from each institution. The dual master’s degree program will offer graduate students an opportunity to engage with leading faculty and cutting-edge resources at both AUS and Queen’s University. Upon completion, students will earn two distinct master’s degrees—one from each institution—underscoring the program’s commitment to academic excellence and international recognition.

    • CAA approves a 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for all 10 Master of Science programs

      The UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) has approved a 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 alongside the existing 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for all 10 Master of Science programs, providing students with greater flexibility and ensuring timely graduation.

    • Launch of AUS Engineering 4+1 Study Abroad Program with University of Texas at Dallas

      American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an accelerated 4+1 program. The agreement allows students in the AUS College of Engineering (CEN) to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years, rather than the traditional six or more, from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas.

    • AUS College of Engineering secures renewed accreditation for all undergraduate programs from CAA

      The College of Engineering (CEN) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) has secured the renewed accreditation of its seven long-standing undergraduate programs by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). This renewed accreditation, valid until January 9, 2031, reflects CEN’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching and continuous improvement. The reaccreditation was renewed accreditation without submitting self-studies or undergoing a reaccreditation visit. This special exemption is first of its kind and was granted to the AUS College of Engineering given the outstanding results the college received from ABET in August 2024.

    • Launch of CEN GER Course on Digital Technology and Citizenship

      Covers concepts related to emerging digital technologies, their societal impact, and skills for effective and responsible use of generative AI digital tools such as ChatGPT and resources. Discusses digital citizenship concepts including ethics, digital rights management, cybersecurity, and computing innovation effects on individuals and societies. Includes fundamentals of contemporary technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. Emphasizes responsible and informed digital engagement while fostering an appreciation of the evolving digital landscape.

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