American University of Sharjah Charts New Direction with Graduate Expansion and Research Advancement
The university's board approves two new postgraduate programmes and establishes research centres aligned with regional priorities, reinforcing its commitment to academic leadership and knowledge generation.
The Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah has endorsed a series of strategic initiatives designed to extend the university’s academic reach and strengthen its research enterprise. Chaired by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, the meeting crystallised the institution’s direction as it responds to evolving professional and economic demands across the region.
Two new graduate programmes will commence in autumn 2027. The Executive Master of Business Administration represents a deliberate response to the growing appetite for executive education, cultivating strategic and ethical leaders prepared for complex business environments. Complementing this is the Master of Science in Luxury Marketing and Management, tailored to serve professionals entering the Gulf Cooperation Council’s flourishing luxury sector through integrated, practice-led learning.
Speaking on the occasion, H.H. Sheikha Bodour noted the university’s progression toward international standing. “AUS is entering the next chapter with a clear strategic direction and growing international recognition,” she reflected. “Our responsibility as a Board is to build on this momentum, with focus and a commitment to measurable progress. We’ve taken these decisions driven by a determination to expand educational opportunities, strengthen research and innovation, and ensure AUS continues to respond to the evolving needs of our students, economy and society.”
The board has equally prioritised research capacity. The Centre for Geospatial Intelligence, under the direction of Dr Hosni Ghedira, Professor of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, will harness artificial intelligence to analyse geospatial data. The AI, Robotics and Connected Infrastructure Research Center, now directed by Dr Umit Cali, Professor of Electrical Engineering, represents a refined focus within this evolving discipline. The Financial Markets and Banking Academy has been elevated to Centre of Excellence status, reflecting its expanded scope and strategic importance to the region’s financial sector.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under Dr Jay Squalli’s leadership, and the Center for Biomedical Innovations, directed by Dr Majid Warkiani, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, round out the institutional restructuring. Dr Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, underscored the coherence of these decisions. “The board’s decisions advance a connected set of priorities: preparing experienced professionals to lead in a changing business environment, building research capacity in fields of growing regional importance, and aligning our centres and institutional priorities with AUS’ academic mission. Together, these steps strengthen the university’s ability to educate future leaders, generate knowledge, and contribute to the UAE’s development.”
The board has also authorised the continued development of residential facilities, with Female Hall D undergoing comprehensive refurbishment that encompasses upgraded accommodation, enhanced communal spaces and modernised technological and building infrastructure.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The expansion of graduate education and research capacity at AUS reflects a wider investment across the UAE in developing sophisticated postgraduate offerings aligned with economic priorities. As the nation continues to diversify its knowledge economy, such programmes address a recognised gap in executive and specialist education available to professionals seeking advanced qualifications without international relocation.
The establishment of research centres focused on geospatial intelligence, biomedical innovation and connected infrastructure positions the university to contribute meaningful insights to regional challenges and opportunities, whilst graduate pathways in luxury marketing and financial services strengthen the pipeline of talent equipped to lead emerging sectors critical to the UAE’s continued economic development.