AUS alumna awarded for research excellence 

Dr. Maryam Alkaissy, an alumna of American University of Sharjah (AUS), has recently been honored with two prestigious research excellence awards for her exceptional doctoral thesis.   

Her contribution to the fields of construction management, project management and safety risk management have earned her the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Thesis Excellence Award and the Civil Engineering Department Medal Award for being nominated for the prestigious Mollie Holman Award, both from Monash University, one of Australia's top academic institutions. Dr. Alkaissy’s work has the potential to transform engineering projects, optimizing efficiency, safety and risk management.

Her interdisciplinary research has impressed experts in the field, as she bridged gaps and proposed innovative solutions utilizing non-deterministic approaches, machine learning methods and simulations. Her thesis, finalized in 2022, showcases the exceptional quality and originality of her work, further emphasizing its potential for broad-reaching impact. 

"I am thrilled and deeply honored to receive the Vice Chancellor's Commendation for Thesis Excellence Award and the Civil Engineering Department Medal Award. These prestigious awards acknowledge the significance and potential impact of my research. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of construction management, project management and safety risk management practices, ultimately improving engineering projects for the better," said Dr. Alkaissy.

Dr. Alkaissy, who graduated from AUS with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a minor in engineering management in 2008, credits her alma mater for laying the foundation of her research journey. She recognizes the rigorous academic program and the supportive faculty at AUS as vital components that shaped her expertise and passion for interdisciplinary research.

"The education I received at AUS equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake complex research in the field of engineering. I am grateful for the strong academic environment and the dedicated faculty who nurtured my intellectual growth and encouraged my pursuit of knowledge," she explained.

Looking ahead, Dr. Alkaissy is determined to build upon her research achievements and contribute further to the field of engineering. She aims to develop practical applications of advanced safety risk management based on the methods proposed in her doctoral thesis, making tangible differences in real-world engineering projects.

Dr. Alkaissy's success story, characterized by her unwavering dedication and hard work, is a testament to the exceptional quality of education and transformative experiences offered by AUS. The university's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is evident in the accomplishments of its alumni. AUS graduates have become government and business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, industry influencers, and respected academics and researchers. AUS' reputation as a top university is further reinforced by its ranking among the region’s top five in employer reputation, according to QS Arab Region University Rankings (2023). 

To learn more about the College of Engineering, please visit www.aus.edu/cen.