Sultan meets AUC President, new AUS faculty members

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), met in his office at AUS today September 26, Francis J. Ricciardone, President of The American University in Cairo (AUC).

Sheikh Dr. Sultan and President Ricciardone exchanged views on mutual cooperation between the two institutions. The Sharjah Ruler also briefed the visiting guest about the history of AUS and his vision behind establishing the University City in Sharjah in general and AUS in particular. His Highness also talked about the university's multicultural student body, its curriculum and the many facilities available to students and faculty on campus.

Ricciardone praised His Highness for his efforts in promoting the educational process and the cultural and artistic movements not only in Sharjah, but in many parts of the world. The president of AUC also stressed on the importance of developing the educational process in Egypt.

Writing in the AUS visitors' book, the AUC president wrote: "With deepest admiration for His Highness and the excellence that his vision has brought to world education through AUS."

Prior to joining AUC in July 2016, President Ricciardone served as Vice President of the independent US-based Atlantic Council and Director of its Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. He previously served as US Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, the Philippines and Palau.

Following the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Sultan along with President Ricciardone met with new AUS faculty members at a special luncheon held on campus. The Sharjah Ruler welcomed the new faculty to AUS and shared with them the university's commitment to academic excellence and wished them the best of luck in the performance of their academic duties.

The luncheon was also attended by Dr. Amr Abdel Hamid, Director of the Sharjah Research Academy; Hamid Jafar, Founder and Chairman of the Crescent Group of Companies; Faroj Nerguizian, General Manager of Bank of Sharjah; Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS, as well as a number of other senior university officials.