Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Convenes Advisory Council to Advance American University of Sharjah’s Global Vision
The inaugural gathering of AUS's Advisory Council of Development and Outreach charts an ambitious course for institutional growth, research excellence and expanded opportunities for students across the region.
American University of Sharjah has commenced the inaugural meeting of its Advisory Council of Development and Outreach for the 2026–2029 term, under the chairmanship of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS. The distinguished assembly brings together an accomplished cohort of leaders drawn from the business, governmental and public service sectors, alongside several accomplished alumni of the institution.
During her opening remarks, Sheikha Bodour articulated the council’s strategic purpose and outlined expectations for the forthcoming three-year term. The council will convene formally once or twice annually, whilst members will maintain continuous individual engagement with the university throughout the intervening periods. The body will direct its collective efforts across three principal domains: cultivating partnerships with industry, government and academic institutions; strengthening the financial and human resources that sustain the university’s scholarly endeavours; and advancing the institution’s presence and influence across local, regional and international spheres.
Sheikha Bodour emphasised the transformative potential of higher education institutions within the UAE’s contemporary context. “The UAE’s ambitions call for universities that can help shape what comes next,” she reflected. “My vision for AUS is to develop people with the knowledge, imagination and judgment to lead change, and to make the university a source of ideas that open new possibilities for society.”
Dr Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, presented a comprehensive overview of the university’s institutional advancement priorities, underscoring the council’s essential role in their realisation. He emphasised the paramount importance of deepening connections with industry and governmental bodies, fostering research endeavours that address substantive societal challenges, and equipping graduates for careers within emerging sectors of the economy. Notably, he highlighted the university’s enduring commitment to accessibility, observing that two in three AUS students benefit from scholarships or grants.
“Every partnership that has shaped AUS, from research funds to centres of excellence, began with a conversation,” Dr. Laursen remarked. “The members of this council bring insights from the sectors our graduates will lead, and their engagement will help us open more doors for talented students and build partnerships that create lasting value for Sharjah, the UAE and the region.”
The meeting concluded with the formalisation of a strategic partnership between AUS and Sharjah Islamic Bank through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, witnessed by Sheikha Bodour and executed by Mohamed Abdalla, Chief Executive Officer of the bank. This agreement establishes collaborative initiatives encompassing financial literacy education, Islamic banking and finance, research and innovation, professional development pathways, and enhanced student and graduate employment prospects.
Source: WAM