AUS full of excitement as students return to campus

Students at American University of Sharjah (AUS) are particularly eager to start their studies this semester with the chance to interact face-to-face with other members of the university community on campus after 18 months of online learning.

This semester, AUS will be offering all undergraduate and graduate courses in either a hybrid or a fully face-to-face format. Hybrid courses will consist of both face-to-face engagement on campus and online components. Students who are initially unable to return physically to campus due to health or geographical restrictions will be supported by the university so that they can undertake their studies remotely.

August 29 is the official first day of class at AUS, with many new and continuing students attending classes on campus. For some continuing students, including those in their second year, this was the first time they had been on campus since the university adopted a system of online learning in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

For sophomore student Nathaly Hodroj-Remmel, a finance major, coming to campus for the fall semester will allow her to build on the many relationships he made with students and faculty throughout this time.

“I have only been to campus for my final exams, and I am thrilled to be going to classes on campus. I am really excited, and I cannot wait to meet students and professors I met online but never got to see face to face," she said.

As campus reopens, the university’s priority continues to be keeping the AUS community safe and well by adhering to the regulations provided by the UAE Ministry of Education. Therefore, access to campus will be granted only to those who can provide evidence of full vaccination and a negative PCR test, along with registration with the AlHosn app. All students, staff and faculty will continue to wear masks and maintain one-meter physical distance.

Students living in the AUS residential halls will be supported by a team of student residential advisors throughout the semester. Accommodation has been restricted to one student per room, and there will be no shared bathroom facilities as an additional safety measure.

While AUS’s focus on the delivery of online learning in the past 18 months has seen a surge in innovation in teaching and learning, as well as enhanced support services in IT, academics and counseling, students and faculty are looking forward to the opportunity to interact face-to-face again.

Dr. Susan Mumm, Chancellor of AUS, said of the start of the new semester:

“Welcome all AUS students. Having access to the AUS campus once again is a source of great excitement. Our beautiful surroundings, excellent facilities and dynamic campus community are some of our greatest assets, and we look forward to enjoying them once more,” she said.

“For those students just beginning their AUS journey, along with those who are returning this fall, we extend to you our best wishes for the semester ahead. Our hybrid system of learning, along with the extensive health measures we have in place, will help to ensure a safe environment for everyone to learn,” said Dr. Mumm.

For more information about American University of Sharjah, visit www.aus.edu.