AUS set to become top research university within 5 years

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H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS) has announced university plans to become the top research university in the Arab world within five years. Founded in 1997, the American University of Sharjah is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education located in Sharjah’s University City. The university had previously announced plans for an AUS Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Park earlier in 2016.

The strategic plan to develop AUS into one of the region’s premier centers of research and innovation, was announced at the AUS Fall 2016 graduation ceremony held at University City Hall, Sharjah. A total of 545 undergraduate and graduate students were presented with their degrees during the ceremony. A new doctoral programme in engineering systems management and a new master’s degree programme in biomedical engineering were also announced.

The development of AUS RTI Park is being managed AUS Enterprises, a holding company established to develop projects for the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Formed as an an economic free zone dedicated to research and development, the first phase of the development is expected to accommodate 200 companies. The park will focus on six research areas: digitisation, energy, environment, industrial design and architecture, transport and logistics, and water technology. Targeting local and global companies, including private-public sector ventures, the free zone is expected to offer office space, scientific laboratories and residential accommodation.

The park forms part of Sharjah’s efforts to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship and develop a sustainable knowledge economy. ‘Sheraa’, a new entrepreneurship centre, was launched at the American University of Sharjah in January 2016 by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), aiming to inspire young people to start their own enterprises and raise the emirate’s profile as a preferred destination for startups.

AUS is ranked 7th in the 2015 QS University Rankings for the Arab Region and offers 26 majors and 46 minors at the undergraduate level, plus 14 master’s degrees.

Source: AUS, WAM