AUS College of Engineering recognizes exceptional students and alumni

Exceptional students and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and made significant contributions in their respective fields were recently honored at the annual awards ceremony of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN). 

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the awardees, stating: "Through these awards, we acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students and alumni, recognizing not only their academic excellence but also their research impact, talent, leadership activities, community volunteering and service. Their contributions to their respective fields are truly remarkable and we are immensely proud of their achievements." 

The CEN Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award was presented to Leanne Nabil Shahin, Rijul Muhammed, Salma Wael Hassan, Hind Khalid Alharmoodi, Zaineh Moez Al Nasser, Razan Abualwan and Kareem Ahmed Morsi for their outstanding academic performance.

At the graduate level, Yara Badr Badr, Abdallah Hazim Alhajar, Ali Reza Mohammed Husein Sajun, Ahmad Jamal El Masri, Ibrahim Wasef Abu Laila, Mazhd Shaban, Fouad Mostafa Fouad Amin, Shereen Farhana, Ahmed Omar Elmeligy, Mahdi Mohammed, Mustafa Faeq Abdulhameed, Muhammad Qasim Elahi, Natali Imad Barakat, Ahmed Moataz Elsergany and Khader Alsayegh received the CEN Graduate Academic Excellence Award for their exemplary academic achievements.

Dana Al Muqbel, a chemical engineering student, won the Research Excellence Award for co-authoring one journal article and two book chapters. She was part of a group of students who won the CEN Undergraduate Research Grant and placed third in the DuPont Water Prize. Her team was also nominated for the final assessment phase in the Sharjah Sustainability Award.

Afef Saihi, an alumna of the AUS PhD in Engineering Systems Management program, received both the CEN Graduate Academic Excellence Award and the Research Excellence Award (PhD) in recognition of her remarkable academic and research accomplishments. She has authored several articles that have been published in leading academic journals and presented seven papers at prestigious conferences. 

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering student Amaal Abdulraqeb Mohammed Ali was awarded the Research Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to the field, having published numerous journal articles and presented multiple papers at Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conferences. Her exceptional research skills and innovative thinking have led to her receiving the Excellence in Research Award and being a top ten finalist in the Gulf Petrochemical and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Research and Innovation Competition. She was also honored with the CEN Graduate Academic Excellence Award for her outstanding academic achievements.

Rohan Mitra, a computer science student, received the Outstanding Student Leadership Award for taking lead roles in several clubs and student organizations. He also participated in various competitions and won many student activity awards.

Jowaria Khan, a computer engineering student, won the Outstanding Student Community Service Award for organizing and volunteering for several events and campaigns.

Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management student Ola Alsaid won the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for her work as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Industrial Engineering.

Rand Al Yahya, an industrial engineering student, received the Outstanding Student Talent Award for her competitive sports experience as a member of the AUS Women's Football team and a Saudi team at the national level.

The Most Engaged CEN Alumni Award was presented to Hisham El Shaarani, an AUS cum laude graduate in electrical engineering who also holds a Master of Science in Solar Energy from Queen's University in Canada and a Master of Science in Engineering Systems Management from AUS. 

El Sharaani played a pivotal role in developing solar systems for rooftops and parking lots at AUS, assisting AUS campus development. He co-founded a UAE-based solar engineering procurement and construction company with his brother, which currently employs other CEN alumni. El Shaarani's company has offered internship opportunities for multiple AUS students, and he has initiated industry sponsorships to build an outdoor solar test field at AUS. El Sheraani has also mentored students, lectured in advanced elective courses and served on multiple CEN advisory board committees.

In celebration of AUS Silver Jubilee, CEN hosted Through My Eyes: A Photography Competition and announced the winners during the ceremony. Mohammad Nour O. Al Tabba, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student, came in first place. Second place went to Mark G. Farag, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student with a minor in engineering management, while third place was awarded to Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student Yusuf A. Zayed. Additionally, the People's Choice award was given to Hanna A. Sadoun, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student with a minor in applied and computational math.

AUS College of Engineering has established itself as a prominent institution in engineering education across the UAE and the wider region. The college offers high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields. 
For more information about the CEN Annual Awards, please visit www.aus.edu/cen/annual-awards.