AUS graduation offers opportunity for celebration and reflection

Students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) graduating class of Fall 2021 gathered to celebrate an in-person graduation ceremony held at Sharjah’s University City Hall on March 12. The event was an opportunity to commend the hard work and dedication shown by these students, who completed the final years of their degree programs during the pandemic. Dr. Susan Mumm, Chancellor of AUS, praised their achievements.

“Congratulations to all of you who persisted through the most difficult of times to finish your degree. The tenacity and perseverance you have shown throughout the pandemic will serve you well as you enter a new chapter in your lives, whether that is in work or further study. Rising above adversity to achieve results is a sign of outstanding character, and something of which you should all be proud.”

AUS graduates have a long history of securing positions in prestigious organizations around the world or going onto further study in prestigious universities globally. Graduates occupy posts in some of the world's largest organizations, and this cohort of students is no different. Chancellor Mumm said this track record of alumni success is one of the university’s proudest achievements.

“Our graduates work in government agencies across the UAE, contributing to nation-building initiatives in the field of space exploration, climate change mitigation, technology adoption and much more. We also regularly hear about our alumni starting their own successful businesses and becoming thriving entrepreneurs. We know organizations such as Unilever, PWC, KPMG, Emirates, L’Oréal, Etihad and many others employ our alumni. I am confident that this graduating class will enjoy similar successes as they embark on their post-AUS journeys.”

For graduating students, the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate their success, congratulate one another and wish each other the best going forward. Yomna Morad, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, said:

“Congratulations everyone. We finally made it. Not only are we celebrating getting our diplomas, we are also celebrating the long nights in the library that paid off in the end when we got our good grades. We are celebrating every friend that we made, and we are celebrating the endless memories.”

Maram Elhawary, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Majoring in Finance and Minoring in Accounting, said:

“I would like to congratulate all of us who have been through a lot. We really deserve this moment of happiness and success. We might be a little stressed about what we face after graduation, but I believe in AUSers and know they can do it.”

In total, 580 students graduated, with 450 of these undergraduate students and the remaining 130 graduate students. The graduating class comprises 305 men and 275 women. UAE nationals make up 159 of the cohort’s graduates. Breaking down the graduates by college shows 35 graduated from the College of Architecture, Art and Design; 75 graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences; 123 graduated from the School of Business Administration; and 347 graduated from the College of Engineering.

For further details about the Fall 2021 graduating class, including a full list of graduating students, please visit www.aus.edu/celebrating-the-class-of-fall-2021.