Latest news with #TodA.Laursen
Sharjah 24
5 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
AUS BoT drives growth through appointments, academic advancements
After the meeting, Sheikha Bodour said: 'Excellence in education is achieved through conscious investment in people, planning, and principled governance. The Board's decisions reflect a commitment to building an institution that is academically distinguished yet operationally resilient. We are strengthening our leadership, supporting faculty development, and refining our governance frameworks to ensure AUS remains responsive to today's demands as a leading force in shaping higher education in our region and beyond.' Vision 'The decisions taken during this board meeting reflect the strength of our vision and the clarity with which AUS is charting its path forward,' said Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS. 'With strengthened leadership, defined academic priorities and disciplined financial planning, we are positioning the university to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.' Key outcomes Among the key outcomes, the board approved the appointment of Dr. Matthias Ruth as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. Dr. Ruth is an academic leader with a distinguished track record in interdisciplinary research and institutional strategy, having held senior roles at the University of York, the University of Alberta and Northeastern University. Initiatives The board also advanced several initiatives to support faculty excellence, including the approval of a new round of rolling contracts and a new round of academic promotions. These measures reflect AUS' continued focus on attracting and retaining outstanding faculty while fostering a culture of academic distinction. An updated Human Resources Policy Manual was also adopted to align institutional practices with international standards in higher education administration. Finance In the area of financial governance, the board approved the university's fiscal year 2025–2026 general operating budget, along with dedicated budgets for research, graduate studies and capital projects. It also endorsed the standalone financial statements of AUS Enterprises—a holding company established to support the university's financial sustainability—for the 15-month period ending August 31, 2024. New members To further strengthen its governance structure, the board welcomed three new members: Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Dr. Tony F. Chan and Mohamed Khadiri. Dr. Almazrouei serves as Executive Director and Acting Chief AI Researcher at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi and chairs the United Nations' AI for Good Impact Initiative. Dr. Chan recently concluded his presidency at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and previously served as President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Khadiri is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Sharjah, with deep expertise in global corporate and investment banking. With these decisions, AUS reaffirms its position as a regional and global leader in higher education—committed to academic distinction, community impact and preparing graduates to shape the future.
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
AUS, BEEAH launch professorship in eco innovation
In a significant move that reaffirms the UAE's position at the forefront of sustainability and environmental innovation, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and BEEAH have signed an agreement to establish the BEEAH Professorship in Environmental Innovation and Sustainable Development at AUS. Backed by a generous Dhs5 million investment from BEEAH, the professorship aims to accelerate breakthrough research and equip future leaders with the tools to shape a more sustainable world. The agreement was signed at the AUS campus by Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Khaled Al Huraimel, Group Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of BEEAH, in the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, and representatives from both institutions. 'This partnership with BEEAH is a strategic alignment of vision and values. It reflects our shared commitment to addressing the world's most pressing environmental challenges through knowledge, innovation and leadership,' said Dr. Laursen. 'The BEEAH professorship will empower AUS to deepen its research agenda while preparing our students to lead in an increasingly complex, sustainability-focused global landscape.' 'To solve our collective challenges as society and drive sustainable progress at scale, education, research and innovation are essential. BEEAH's educational initiatives in these areas and our long-time strategic partnership with AUS are a testament to that fact,' said Al Huraimel. 'The new professorship marks a major step forward in our shared journey of collaboration, unlocking a new opportunity for academic excellence, groundbreaking research and transformational leadership dedicated to sparking innovations for a sustainable tomorrow.' The professorship will serve as a cornerstone for advancing research in climate resilience, environmental sustainability and sustainable urban development. It will also foster innovation in key areas such as renewable energy, waste management, smart cities and the circular economy — while equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and tools to drive impactful environmental change. AUS is ranked first in the UAE for environmental sustainability (QS World University Rankings 2025) and has been named a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Gold Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) based on its accomplishments in campus sustainability. Reem Bardan, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at AUS, said: 'What makes this partnership truly meaningful is its consistency and depth. BEEAH has stood by AUS across many milestones — sponsoring flagship campus events, engaging with our students and supporting initiatives that align with our academic and institutional goals. This professorship represents a natural progression in a relationship built on mutual trust, shared values and long-term commitment. It is yet another example of how strong, sustained partnerships can create lasting impact for our students, faculty and the broader AUS community.' This new professorship builds on AUS' growing portfolio of academic positions that support faculty excellence and long-term research impact. As part of its broader research strategy, AUS continues to attract prestigious investments that reinforce its role as a regional leader in innovation and academic advancement. For more information about AUS' professorships and chairs, visit .
Sharjah 24
7 days ago
- Science
- Sharjah 24
AUS, BEEAH launch professorship to advance innovation
The agreement was signed at the AUS campus by Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Khaled Al Huraimel, Group Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of BEEAH, in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, and representatives from both institutions. 'This partnership with BEEAH is a strategic alignment of vision and values. It reflects our shared commitment to addressing the world's most pressing environmental challenges through knowledge, innovation and leadership,' said Dr. Laursen. 'The BEEAH professorship will empower AUS to deepen its research agenda while preparing our students to lead in an increasingly complex, sustainability-focused global landscape.' 'To solve our collective challenges as society and drive sustainable progress at scale, education, research and innovation are essential. BEEAH's educational initiatives in these areas and our long-time strategic partnership with AUS are a testament to that fact,' said Al Huraimel. 'The new professorship marks a major step forward in our shared journey of collaboration, unlocking a new opportunity for academic excellence, groundbreaking research and transformational leadership dedicated to sparking innovations for a sustainable tomorrow.' The professorship will serve as a cornerstone for advancing research in climate resilience, environmental sustainability and sustainable urban development. It will also foster innovation in key areas such as renewable energy, waste management, smart cities and the circular economy—while equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and tools to drive impactful environmental change. AUS is ranked first in the UAE for environmental sustainability (QS World University Rankings 2025) and has been named a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Gold Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) based on its accomplishments in campus sustainability. Reem Bardan, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at AUS, said: 'What makes this partnership truly meaningful is its consistency and depth. BEEAH has stood by AUS across many milestones—sponsoring flagship campus events, engaging with our students and supporting initiatives that align with our academic and institutional goals. This professorship represents a natural progression in a relationship built on mutual trust, shared values and long-term commitment. It is yet another example of how strong, sustained partnerships can create lasting impact for our students, faculty and the broader AUS community.' This new professorship builds on AUS' growing portfolio of academic positions that support faculty excellence and long-term research impact. As part of its broader research strategy, AUS continues to attract prestigious investments that reinforce its role as a regional leader in innovation and academic advancement.
