AUS College of Engineering hosts the inaugural CEN Fest

American University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering (CEN) recently hosted its first-ever CEN Fest, an event designed to support student engagement with the college. The event was led by the Engineering Dean’s Team (EDT), made up of CEN’s six active students from each engineering discipline, including Sathya Aamuktha Samrajyam from chemical engineering, Omar Shaghnoubi from mechanical engineering, Ghaya Alharmoodi from electrical engineering, Hala Ma'adi from computer science and engineering, Malak Allan from civil engineering and Muhammad Vidha from industrial engineering. The EDT worked alongside several other student teams, including the Student Council and their College of Engineering Representative, Qusai Al Tah, as well as various engineering student clubs, to organize a fun-filled day featuring student and staff-led booths, networking opportunities, raffles and other activities.

CEN Fest kicked off in the morning with CEN-Source, which focused on introducing students to academic and career resources, and was followed by CEN-Verse in the afternoon, which focused on student engagement and networking. During CEN-Source, students engaged with representatives from the Engineering Dean’s Team, the CEN Dean’s Office, the Academic Support Center, the CEN Career Hub, the International Exchange Office, the Math Learning Center and the Writing Center. CEN-Verse transformed the Gazebo Area into a vibrant space where students connected with engineering student clubs, participated in hands-on activities, and enjoyed networking opportunities, games and food vendors.

Seventeen engineering student clubs participated, each selecting a well-known fictional character linked to their discipline to inspire their booth design, activities and promotional materials. Featured characters included Bob the Builder, Dexter’s Laboratory and Baymax. The civil engineering team, represented by the icon Wreck-it Ralph, won first place in the booth competition, while the mechanical engineering team, represented by the Transformers, took second place. Winners were assessed based on booth design and the activities organized.

Dr. Fadi Aloul, the Dean of CEN, emphasized the significance of the event: “It was wonderful to witness our students forge meaningful connections with other students, faculty, and staff and learn more about the significant institutional resources available to them at AUS. The event perfectly captured our vision to strengthen the connection between our students and CEN, and make students more aware of the different pathways CEN has to help students unlock academic excellence, leadership skills and personal and professional growth.” 

Ayman Ahmed, a senior engineering student graduating next semester, described the event as a valuable addition to student life. “CEN Fest brought students together through a perfect blend of learning and fun-filled activities. It catered to all interests while fostering engagement across many different engineering disciplines. It also provided a unique opportunity for students to connect, explore and enjoy. We’re grateful that the College of Engineering and the Engineering Dean’s Team always think of new, creative ways to keep us engaged and challenging ourselves.”

Despite unexpected rain, students embraced the weather and continued to enjoy the event outdoors. A feedback system with incentives, including a raffle with cash prizes, kept students going into the evening. With excellent participation from students, faculty and engineering organizations, the inaugural CEN Fest set the stage for future editions, highlighting CEN’s commitment to building a dynamic and supportive environment for all its students.

AUS continues to lead in engineering education across the region, ranking first in the UAE for civil engineering; in the top three in the category of mechanical, aeronautical, and manufacturing engineering; and in the top five in the categories of chemical engineering and electrical and electronic engineering, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Narrow Subjects. Employers across various industries recognize AUS’ engineering graduates for their exceptional employability and leadership, contributing to the university’s second-place ranking in the UAE for employer reputation (QS World University Rankings, 2025).

For more information about CEN, visit www.aus.edu/cen.