The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is advancing to become a comprehensive research university while continuing its excellence in liberal arts programmes, said H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and President of AUS, at the university’s Fall 2017 graduation ceremony held Thursday, at AUS City Hall in the emirate.

A total of 602 students graduated in various majors offered by the university at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

"This year coincides with the 20th anniversary celebrations of AUS. I am proud of its internationally recognised academic excellence. I feel that the efforts I made in setting up AUS have achieved the objectives of establishing a leading institution of high quality higher education in the region, on par in the quality of its academic programmes with the top universities in the world," said H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan.

His Highness shared with the audience the current plans of the university and said, "AUS launched the GCC’s first Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering program this Fall. This dynamic, multidisciplinary programme is aimed at meeting an increasing demand for biomedical engineers in the healthcare industry and in biomedical research."

He also said AUS plans to launch two doctoral programmes, one in engineering and the other in business administration. "More doctoral programmes are planned in our five-year strategic plan. Our focus will be on interdisciplinary programmes focusing on medical technology, smart cities, artificial intelligence, the environment, and materials sciences."

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, along with a number of dignitaries, including Sheikh Mohammad bin Saoud Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Central Finance Department; Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Seaport and Customs Department; Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office, Sheikh Mohammad bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of the Statistics and Social Development Department in Sharjah; in addition to a number of Sheikhs, and senior government and AUS officials.