AUS recognizes remarkable graduate achievements in research and leadership

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has recognized the outstanding achievements of its graduate students through the University Awards for Excellence in Graduate Studies for the Academic Year 2023–2024 in an on-campus ceremony. This year’s awards honored the contributions of three graduate students in research, scholarly and creative work and academic and leadership, highlighting their dedication and excellence in their respective fields.

"These awards exemplify the extraordinary talent and dedication of our graduate students. By recognizing their remarkable achievements, we aim to stimulate a culture of excellence within the graduate student body, inspiring all students to strive for the highest standards in academic and research pursuits. Their contributions set a high standard for AUS and represent important additions to the global body of knowledge. We are confident that they will continue to inspire others and drive progress in their respective fields in future," said Dr. Mohamad El-Tarhuni, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer at AUS.

Mohamed El Kafrawy, a PhD candidate in materials science and engineering, received the Graduate Student Research, Scholarly and Creative Work Excellence Award at the doctoral level. As he was unable to attend the ceremony, his colleague Arhum Hassan accepted the award on his behalf. El Kafrawy has made significant contributions to structural engineering, with 10 research papers published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals and four presentations at international conferences. His research focuses on advanced construction materials, studying their application in strain-hardening cementitious composites and ultra-high-performance concrete to enhance ductility and seismic resistance in buildings, notably in the UAE's high-rise constructions.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering support and guidance of my professors, colleagues and the AUS community. It marks the culmination of my enjoyable doctoral journey at AUS and fuels my passion for research, inspiring me to continue contributing to science and engineering," he said.

Zahraa Al-Dawood, a master's student in civil engineering, was awarded the Graduate Student Research, Scholarly and Creative Work Excellence Award at the master’s level. Al-Dawood's research has addressed critical environmental issues ranging from car wash greywater treatment and the weathering behavior of microplastics to remote sensing technologies for air quality monitoring. Her work has resulted in three peer-reviewed journal articles and five conference papers. She is currently employed at Egis—a sustainability-focused global consulting, construction engineering and operating firm—as a graduate environmental and waste consultant. 

“I am deeply honored to have received this recognition. It is truly gratifying to have your hard work recognized and awarded, and I’m grateful to AUS for providing students with a positive environment that encourages learning and research. I owe this achievement to the support of the civil engineering faculty, particularly my advisors Dr. Md. Maruf Mortula and Dr. Kazi Fattah,” she said.

The Graduate Student Academic and Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Sania Shanavaz, a Master of Urban Planning student. Shanavaz has demonstrated exemplary academic performance, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 and taking on important student leadership roles, such as her role as a representative of the Graduate Students Association in the College of Architecture, Art and Design. In addition, she has also participated in enriching co-curricular activities such as the Climate Ambassadors Program and the Future 17 Sustainable Development Goals Challenge. 

“The University Awards for Excellence in Graduate Studies has been a strong motivator for me to consistently give my best effort in both my academic endeavors and my contributions to improving the student experience on campus. Now that I have received this award, this will act as a continuous stimulus for me to persevere in my career or any future endeavors, to push my boundaries and surpass my existing constraints,” she said.

Nominations for these awards were made by faculty members from each graduate program, and the winners were selected by a university-level committee including Dr. Guillaume Leduc from the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Ghaleb Husseini from the College of Engineering,  Dr. Efe Cotelioglu from the School of Business Administration and Dr. Jerry Kolo from the College of Architecture, Art and Design.

AUS offers 18 master’s programs and five PhD programs. For more information about these programs and research at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/orgs.