AUS student among top 50 global recipients of ALD JoAnne J. Trow Scholarship

American University of Sharjah (AUS) industrial engineering student Muhammad Vidha has been awarded the Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) JoAnne J. Trow Undergraduate Scholarship, a prestigious award recognizing academic excellence and leadership among first-year university students.

Established to honor former ALD National President JoAnne J. Trow, the scholarship provides a one-time payment ranging from USD 1,000 to USD 6,000. Each year, only 50 students are selected from hundreds of applicants across nearly 300 ALD chapters in the United States, highlighting both academic success and commitment to leadership and community service. AUS is home to the first international chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, a honor society founded in 1924 to acknowledge academic excellence among first-year students.

Vidha's journey to securing this scholarship is a story of impressive academic and extracurricular achievement. As a high school student, he took on roles such as President of Leadership and Academic Support and participated in several international Model United Nations conferences. Since joining AUS, he has achieved a near-perfect 3.97 cumulative grade point average, which has placed him on the Dean’s List and Chancellor’s List.

In addition to a strong academic record, Vidha has engaged in various student organizations at AUS, including serving as the Vice President of the AUS ALD Chapter. He has also been extensively involved in community service—such as his leading role in the Build a Classroom in Ghana campaign, which raised AED 25,000—and many extracurricular activities.

Vidha's application was comprehensive, showcasing his academic accomplishments, a clear vision for ALD at AUS, honors, recognitions and leadership experiences both at AUS and prior, all of which were pivotal to his selection. 

"Being the first student from the MENA region and from the AUS ALD chapter, and one of 50 recipients globally, to receive this recognition is a significant honor. This achievement not only highlights AUS’ commitment to academic excellence but will hopefully inspire more students to take on leadership roles and contribute to impactful initiatives that transcend academic boundaries and empower positive change within the AUS community and beyond," said Vidha.

The support and mentorship from AUS faculty and staff have been instrumental to Vidha's success. He expressed deep gratitude to Rasha Tawfik, Director of the Academic Support Center at AUS, for her trust and guidance, which empowered him to lead AUS ALD. He also acknowledged the support from the College of Engineering faculty, including Dr. Assim Sagahyroon and Dr. Abdulrahim Shamayleh.

"Vidha's dedication and leadership have been nothing short of extraordinary. His unwavering commitment to the ALD community has set a new benchmark for future members, inspiring us all," said Tawfik.

"Vidha's achievements are a powerful testament to his hard work and perseverance. His success reflects the quality of education and rigorous curriculum provided by the AUS College of Engineering. Our programs are designed to develop technical expertise, leadership and community engagement, and Vidha exemplifies these values,” added Dr. Shamayleh.

Looking ahead, Vidha is poised to lead AUS ALD as its President starting in Fall 2024. He envisions fostering a dynamic community of young scholars who strive for excellence and drive positive change.