AUS welcomes new graduate students for Spring 2021

What attracted alumna Sohaila Chakouk to return to American University of Sharjah (AUS) in Spring 2021 for her graduate studies was the interdisciplinary nature of the program she wanted to pursue.

“I am all set to begin a master’s degree in engineering systems management at the AUS College of Engineering this semester. What I like the most about the program is how it combines the field of engineering and business, providing all the skills required for me to be able to hold a high-ranking managerial position in industry,” said Chakouk, a research and development technical consultant who previously worked as project engineer in the areas of mechanical and environmental engineering.

The 23-year-old Moroccan is part of the new batch of 80 graduate students joining AUS when spring semester classes begin on January 31. The new students were welcomed through virtual orientation sessions held by the AUS Office of Graduate Studies on January 27. Attended by senior university officials and members of the Graduate Student Association, the sessions help new graduate students learn about important topics such as registration, study plans, policies and available campus services. Also featured were online training sessions on IT support, course learning management systems, online classes and library resources. 

Speaking about the significance of orientation for new students, Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies at AUS, said: “It is important for students to reach out to their program coordinators on a regular basis and familiarize themselves with university policies and procedures to navigate their way smoothly through their studies.”

He added: “Graduate studies focus on specialized research and independent learning, so I encourage students to explore new venues and work closely with their academic advisors to develop innovative ideas and solutions. In addition, I advise new students to establish strong ties with their fellow graduate students in order to support one another and build long-lasting relationships. I highly encourage them to participate in the activities of the Graduate Students Association.”

AUS offers numerous opportunities that allow graduate students to compete and thrive in today’s dynamic, global marketplace.

Dr. El-Tarhuni said: “AUS offers a fantastic experience through its multinational campus with students from more than 90 nationalities, international full-time faculty, excellent teaching and research facilities, and an opportunity to gain research and teaching experience through the graduate assistantship program.”

The latter was also one of the distinct features that made Rabat-based Chakouk consider coming back to AUS and Sharjah. She said: “The graduate assistantship program offered at AUS was a major factor that influenced my decision because it helps students to finance their studies, and gain teaching and research experience at the same time. I’ve always wanted to join AUS to pursue my graduate studies since it is one of the most prestigious universities in the Arab world. This program helped me make my dream come true.”

American University of Sharjah offers 16 master’s degree programs and two doctoral degrees with close to 550 graduate students. In Fall 2021, AUS will launch a new PhD in Business Administration with Concentration in Finance.  With part-time study options and evening courses, AUS graduate programs offer flexibility for working professionals. For more information about graduate studies at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/programs/Graduate-Programs.