AUS celebrates record number of honorees: 552 outstanding students recognized at convocation

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently recognized the exceptional academic accomplishments of 552 students at its annual Honors Convocation held November 9 at University City Hall in Sharjah. This remarkable milestone shatters all previous records, serving as a testament to AUS' commitment to nurturing and celebrating academic excellence.

The Honors Convocation recognized the achievements of AUS students who attained a GPA of 3.5/4.0 in both Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters.

One hundred and twenty-six outstanding students received the Gold Medal, which is given to those being recognized at the Honors Convocation for the third or fourth time. One hundred and forty-four students received the Silver Medal, which is awarded to students making their second appearance on the prestigious honors list. The Bronze Medal went to 282 students who were being honored at the event for the first time. Out of the total number of students honored this year, 342 were women and 210 were men.

Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, commended the students' dedication and academic excellence. 

"At AUS, we don't just celebrate success; we cultivate it. These students embody the spirit of academic excellence and resilience. Their achievements are testament to the limitless possibilities that await those who strive for success,” he said.

Four exceptional students who were named recipients of the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarships were also recognized during the convocation. The scholarship recognizes students who embody the core values of AUS, including intellectual curiosity, ethics and civic responsibility. This highly competitive scholarship is awarded through a two-stage competition that involves applications being reviewed by committees within each college/school and by a university-wide committee comprising members of academic and non-academic units. 

This year's recipients of the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarships were Khaled Esguerra Zaher from the College of Architecture, Art and Design; Mohammad Amaan Siddiqui from the College of Arts and Sciences; Jawwad Imran Sheikh from the College of Engineering; and Jovita Cherian from the School of Business Administration.

Maitha Alharmoodi, a third-year computer engineering student who received the bronze medal, shared her enthusiasm, saying: "I am delighted to receive the bronze medal. This accomplishment reflects my determination, hard work and my belief in my abilities as a computer engineering student. It serves as a constant reminder that even in the face of challenges and setbacks, with persistence and dedication, we can reach our goals. Witnessing the pride in my parents' eyes makes all the effort and late nights worthwhile, and I am honored to consider it a significant milestone in my educational journey.”

Silver Medal recipient Omar Ibrahim possesses a passion for the realms of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He enthusiastically engages in hackathons and competitions, which afford him the opportunity to translate the theoretical knowledge he acquires in the classroom into practical solutions for real-world challenges.

"My journey at AUS has propelled me to achieve milestones that once seemed beyond my reach. It has instilled in me the importance of perseverance and the power of overcoming daunting challenges. Additionally, it has taught me the significance of maintaining a balance between academics and extracurricular activities, enriching my educational experience and establishing a solid foundation for my future career," he said.