AUS hosts Knowledge before College initiative

American University of Sharjah (AUS), in collaboration with Mubadara, a universities-youth group,  hosted the first edition of the initiative Knowledge Before College March 25-26, 2012. Fifty students from different secondary schools in Sharjah and Dubai participated in the event.

Students participating in the Knowledge Before College program attended lectures, participated in curricular and extra-curricular activities, and met with faculty members and officials. They also learned more about preparation for university study, admission requirements, and procedures and best practices for selecting majors and study tracks.

"As a leading institution of higher education in the region, one of AUS' strategic objectives is to launch several initiatives to sustain and develop relationships with the local community, and to meet the high expectations that students and parents have of AUS," said Ali Shuhaimy, AUS Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management.

"The 50 students participating in the event were carefully selected from different education systems and backgrounds and had the opportunity to live the richness of study in a culturally and academically well-diversified environment," added Shuhaimy.

"Mubadara aims to promote the idea of early preparation for university studies among secondary school students and parents through simulation," said Jehad Hazim, one of the Mubadara coordinators. Hazim added that this experience provided a realistic idea of what university is all about, which can't be achieved through traditional informational materials, websites and other forms of indirect interaction.

"We thank the Office of Enrollment Management and the Events Management Department at AUS for harboring this idea. We hope to continue working together on similar projects in the future," said Hazim.