CEN celebrates student and alumni excellence at annual awards ceremony

American University of Sharjah's (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) recently celebrated the accomplishments of students who have excelled academically and made significant contributions to their communities at an on-campus ceremony.

“These awards not only celebrate the achievements of our students, but also underscore the strategic importance of fostering excellence across all facets of engineering education at AUS. We are cultivating leaders who will drive innovation and make meaningful contributions to society,” said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN.

The CEN Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award recognizes graduating students who achieved the highest cumulative GPA for their major during Academic Year 2023–2024. The recipients are chemical engineering student Kelly Marie Percival, computer engineering student Jawad Zaabalawi, computer science student Lina Zaher Salman, civil engineering student Maryam Zeyad Janahi, electrical engineering student Hanna Ahmed Sadoun, industrial engineering student Yasmin Tamer Elshaarawy and mechanical engineering student Omar Hossam Abdeldayem. 

The CEN Graduate Academic Excellence Award acknowledges graduating students who achieved the highest cumulative GPA in their graduate degree programs during Academic Year 2023–2024. The recipients are engineering systems management doctoral student Haneen Abuzaid, biomedical engineering master’s student Rouba Darwich Al Bostami, chemical engineering master’s students Aya Tarek Elgazar and Taima Khair Alla Alhazaimeh, civil engineering student Haider Hazim Hasan,  construction management master’s student Seifeldin Ehab Farouk Abbas, engineering systems management master’s student Shaza Hammoud, electrical engineering master’s student Sama Adel Elkholy, mechanical engineering student Ahmed Tarek Hamada and mechatronics engineering student Basil Yousef Alattar. 

In addition to academic excellence, CEN also recognizes outstanding achievements in research. Hisham Kazim, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering student, received the CEN Undergraduate Research Excellence Award for his exceptional research achievements, including co-authoring two journal articles and presenting his work at two international conferences, as well as winning first place in the DuPont Prize regional research competition 2022.

Haneen Abuzaid, a PhD in Engineering Engineering Systems Management student, received the CEN Graduate Research Excellence Award (PhD) for her outstanding research achievements, including seven journal articles in Q1 journals, which represent the top 25 percent of journals in the Scopus database, showcasing the highest level of research impact within their respective fields. Additionally, she has published one conference paper during her PhD studies.

CEN also honors students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and community service. Samrin Saleem, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student, received the Outstanding CEN Student Leadership Award for her exemplary leadership roles in various AUS clubs and societies, while Sara Mohamed, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering student, received the Outstanding CEN Student Community Service Award for her significant contributions to community service initiatives.

"Leading the institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology, I spearheaded initiatives like 'Harvesting Hope' and 'Flowers Without Branches,' enhancing lives through education in hydroponics and programming. Facing new challenges daily, I embraced problem-solving and adaptation, driving our mission forward with resilience. Awarded for outstanding service, my journey reflects a commitment to community that transcends academic pursuits," she said.

Mohamed Mohamed, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering student, was awarded the Outstanding CEN Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for his commitment and dedication to assisting in laboratory courses and conducting high school boot camps as part of CEN school outreach activities.

Osama AlRayyes, a 2017 Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering graduate currently employed as a Process Engineer at the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), received the Most Engaged CEN Alumni Award for his continued engagement with CEN through workshops, presentations and mentorship opportunities for current students.

The AUS College of Engineering is committed to empowering its students and alumni. Through a dedication to providing exceptional education, fostering groundbreaking research and encouraging active community engagement, CEN equips its students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen fields. 

For more information about the CEN Annual Awards, please visit www.aus.edu/cen/annual-award.