World-class AUS graduate programs produce innovators and entrepreneurs

In a fast-changing world and a growing competitive labor market, American University of Sharjah (AUS) has carved a place for itself in the region as a leading provider of graduate programs. The university has become known as a research hub with strong industry partnerships. Such research and partnerships are helping to shape the university’s world-class graduate programs and nurturing its graduate students so that they are ready to innovate, influence and lead.  

AUS’ portfolio of accredited and internationally recognized graduate programs feature 16 master’s and four doctoral degrees offered through the university’s College of Engineering (CEN); College of Architecture, Arts and Design (CAAD); College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the School of Business Administration (SBA). These programs have successfully helped professionals throughout the years build new career paths for themselves, pursue the highest academic attainments in their fields and further specialize in their professional areas. Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the AUS MBA program is the university’s first graduate program and is currently ranked among the top 10 in the Middle East and Africa region and among the top 250 in the world in the QS Global MBA Rankings (2022). 

“Our graduate programs are based on a thorough understanding of the UAE and international market and its future needs, which has enabled us to further grow our portfolio and diversify our programs. We have always strived to ensure that industry-based research is at the heart of our graduate programs, building on our long-standing partnerships with the region’s industry and business leaders,” said Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Vice Provost of Research and Graduate Studies at AUS.

A key part of graduate studies is the opportunity for students to conduct research with their professors. With more than 330 full-time faculty at AUS coming from the world’s best universities, graduate students can work with faculty who are actively engaged in scholarly and research activities that impact society. These research opportunities are offered as part of their coursework or through select graduate assistantships, and are especially valuable for those interested in pursuing a career in academia. Students appointed as graduate assistants also receive financial assistance that can help reduce the cost of their graduate education.  

“Graduate studies are distinguished by the depth of the experience offered in inquiry, discovery, scholarly competence and knowledge. By engaging in research with our faculty members, our students can hone their skills, expand their research endeavors and publish their work. Our goal is to attract, retain and support the brightest minds to see them grow as they join the labor market, become entrepreneurs or pursue a career in academia. We have seen our master’s program graduates join some of the most distinguished universities around the world to pursue their doctoral studies,” said Dr. El-Tarhuni.

Some of the notable research work AUS graduate students have been conducting covers areas of corporate diversification strategies, financial reporting quality, audit quality, the co-optimization of electrical and water systems, treatment of tobacco wastewater using membrane biological reactors, novel flexible electrodes for improved signal recording, hydrodynamic and water quality modeling of the Dubai Creek, and many more.  

AUS graduate students also have an excellent opportunity to access the services provided by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), which leverages the intellectual and academic capabilities of AUS, attracts regional and international companies and promotes investment in AUS research advances.

Dr. Tarhuni also noted the graduate programs as designed to be flexible, so that graduate students can honor their existing career or family commitments. Classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends, and students can enroll in part-time or full-time study. Additionally, currently enrolled high achieving AUS senior undergraduate students can get a head start on their master’s degree through the AUS Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP). This program enables students to complete up to two master’s courses during their senior year, contributing to both the student’s bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements, reducing the time to degree completion and cost.

AUS doctoral programs have witnessed a significant growth in the past few years with the university’s flourishing reputation and rising market need. The newest doctoral program is the PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering, which will see its first cohort begin in Fall 2023. The multidisciplinary program is delivered by CEN in collaboration with CAS and is taught by qualified faculty at the forefront of their fields. Such faculty are currently engaged in several projects examining biosensors and implantable devices, biomechanics, cardiovascular disease, cancer, cellular physiology, drug delivery, healthcare management, infectious diseases, inflammation, medical imaging and bioinformatics, microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip, neuroscience and neuroengineering.

Other programs include the PhD in Engineering Systems Management in CEN; a dual PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in finance by SBA in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, allowing students of both universities the opportunity to spend the second year of their PhD program abroad and earn degrees from both institutions; and a PhD in Material Sciences and Engineering delivered by CAS in collaboration with CEN and CAAD.

“The development of a competitive knowledge economy in the UAE, the economic growth we have witnessed and the drive towards innovation, creativity and research worldwide has led AUS to ensure the compatibility of its doctoral programs with the UAE’s ambitious development and innovative agenda and global context. Currently, UAE national students comprise 23 percent of our graduate student body, with women making up 55 percent,” said Dr. El-Tarhuni.

For more information about AUS’ graduate programs, visit www.aus.edu/research-and-graduate-studies.