AUS partners with L'ÉCOLE ME to bridge academia and jewelry arts
Educational and professional development opportunities for AUS students and faculty
Through this collaboration, AUS students will have the opportunity to attend a variety of L'ÉCOLE Middle East's specialized courses and gain practical insights by participating in courses, workshops, talks, exhibitions, and networking events. AUS faculty will benefit from professional development and knowledge exchange through opportunities within L'ÉCOLE Middle East's global network and branches.
The AUS - L'ÉCOLE ME partnership will further drive academic cooperation by enabling joint research projects, guest lectures, and mentorship programs, while fostering industry-academia engagement through co-hosted events. L'ÉCOLE Middle East will also engage with AUS students and faculty on future initiatives, ensuring a sustained exchange of knowledge and expertise that enriches both the academic and professional development of AUS' community.
Statements from leadership
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, said: 'This agreement with L'ÉCOLE Middle East aligns with our strategic vision of providing students with global learning experiences while ensuring our faculty remain at the forefront of industry knowledge and innovation. Partnerships like this reinforce AUS' position as a hub where academic excellence intersects with industry leadership, empowering our students and faculty to shape the future of creative and cultural industries.'
Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East and India, said: 'The alliance of two esteemed institutions is a testament to Van Cleef & Arpels' values of transmission, providing access to the jewelry culture to the widest possible audience.'
Sophie Claudel, Director of L'ÉCOLE Middle East, added: "As 2025 is the UAE Year of Community, embracing this educational exchange exemplifies our commitment to fostering and engaging with different communities like higher education and research, to spread educational excellence and cultural collaboration. By bridging the gap between the academic world and the jewelry culture, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation of creatives, providing them with unparalleled access to knowledge and expertise in jewelry craftsmanship, art history, and gemology."
AUS's role in global collaborations and partnerships
AUS is renowned for its strategic partnerships and global collaborations. The university works closely with industry leaders, private and governmental entities, and academic institutions to create opportunities that enrich its academic environment and support student and faculty development. These partnerships strengthen AUS' position as a leading institution that connects education with industry, empowering its community to contribute meaningfully to regional and global progress. To learn more about AUS partnerships, visit www.aus.edu.
About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan articulated his vision of a distinctive institution against the backdrop of Islamic history and in the context of the aspirations and needs of contemporary society in the UAE and the Gulf region.
Firmly grounded in principles of meritocracy and with a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the very best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognized by employers the world over for creating graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and drive to lead in the 21st century.
AUS values learners not driven only by academic success, but by those that embrace our dynamic campus life and embody our ideals of openness, tolerance and respect. This combination of academic excellence and community spirit ensures AUS is filled with world-class faculty and students, poised to become the innovators, thinkers, contributors and leaders of tomorrow.
About L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
Founded in Paris in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts aims to introduce the public to all aspects of jewelry culture. It is an initiation school, open to everyone, with no special prerequisites. L'ÉCOLE targets complete beginners as well as enlightened amateurs, collectors and those with a curiosity for the world of jewelry.
In line with its worldwide locations, L'ÉCOLE established its Middle Eastern campus in Dubai at d3 in April 2024. It offers courses in three major fields: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoir-faire of jewelry-making techniques, taught by art historians, gemologists, jewelers and artisans. The classes are all practice-based and the students experiment with gestures, skills and tools, guided by their lecturers. L'ÉCOLE also offers other activities: exhibitions, books publishing, videos, podcasts, as well as in-person and online talks. Creative workshops were also created for children and teenagers.
All proceeds from L'ÉCOLE Middle East's public courses and talks are donated to Dubai Cares to support youth education programmes, underscoring the school's commitment to social responsibility and youth empowerment.
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