Sharjah Ruler chairs AUS BOT meeting

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), chaired the meeting of the AUS Board of Trustees held yesterday, May 21 and expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the university and its future plans for further development. The meeting was held in London, UK.

The Ruler reviewed and approved a number of resolutions related to the university's current and future plans, including approval of the operating budget for fiscal year 2018, as recommended by the board's Financial Affairs Committee. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi also thanked the board members for their continued efforts for providing guidance and assistance to the university.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS, said "I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, on behalf of the university. We are grateful for the continuous support provided to us by His Highness. AUS is fortunate to benefit from his wisdom and guidance as it moves into the next phase of its development to become a leading research institution in the region. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the members of the AUS Board of Trustees for their support."

Apart from approving the budget for FY 2018, the board also passed a number of other resolutions during the meeting, including a resolution approving faculty promotions as well as the awarding of rolling contracts to faculty members. The board also approved several changes to the faculty handbook, and funding mechanisms for transforming AUS into a research university during the next five years.

The board of trustees, endorsed by His Highness, approved the appointment of Dr. Susan Karamanian as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, beginning her position on August 20. Dr. Karamanian was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and earned a JD from the University of Texas. She has served as the Associate Dean of the George Washington University Law School since 2002.

The board members thanked His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his leadership and generous support to the university.