Sharjah24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah attended on Saturday the annual ceremony of the American University of Sharjah Alumni Association, Which was held in conjunction with the university's celebrations of the silver jubilee .

His Highness reviewed the university's journey from its beginnings, pointing to the unlimited efforts, educational and administrative plans that were made to raise the academic level of the university among the educational edifices, Sharjah Ruler affirmed his speech by saying :“ Today, this university completes a period that, according to many people, is like a blink of an eye, but in fact, this period has passed by building this university from nothing to this level of perfection. This university did not progress and rise by chance, but rather by construction and diligence".
His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, added: “God has helped us to establish this university on this site, and to set for it a high educational curriculum, qualified
professors, and a council that runs this university, who were all one family”. His Highness referred to the administration's efforts in dealing with many issues and challenges that they were keen not to affect the university's march and aspirations.

His Highness, the President of the American University of Sharjah, extended his thanks and appreciation to everyone who have worked at the university including professors, members of the Board of Trustees, and university administrators.
His Highness reviewed the university’s march and the dedication of its members who have worked until it has reached the ranks of international research universities by saying: “We do not remember 25 years as a fleeting memory, but rather as beautiful memories that indicate everyone who dedicated and gave sincere academic giveaways until we reached 5 years of the university's life and the Board of Trustees decided to develop a program for research studies, which required many things such as buildings, equipment, programs, and professors, then we did not skimp and started working, where the equipment and construction cost AED 267 million for the Research Center of the College of Engineering, and now this center is the eye of this university, and through it we have reached serious research registered on behalf of the American University in the scientific community.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah recalled the beginnings of the establishment of the American University of Sharjah, and the great efforts that continued until it was crowned with success by saying,: “ 25 years ago , I started from this place (the site of the celebration), and the first furnishing in the university city was the American University that was built followed by construction of many institutions. I remembered that I had an umbrella to sit on and watch and supervise the work that was going on until this university was completed in less than 11 months, and we succeeded with the beginning of the academic year and we opened the College of Engineering, where there were only 18 students in it, and they advised me to postpone the study because the cost is high, but I told them that we will start even with one student, and indeed we started and completed the process, and thank God now the College of Engineering includes the largest number of students in the university. We hope, God willing, that this path will continue in the same way.
 
His Highness wished success to the graduates in their practical and scientific lives, wishing all new students success in completing the journey.
Dr. Susan Mumm, Chancellor of AUS, said that Alumni Association ceremony this year has a special character, as it coincides with the celebration of the University’s Silver Jubilee, and the American University of Sharjah has graduated more than 18,000 students, affirming that the university provides a distinguished educational experience that supports the success of the graduates, allowing them to continue and contribute to sciences, humanities, design, business, engineering, government work, and other fields.

The ceremony began with the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates, then recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, after which His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, pressed the electronic button, marking the start of the ceremony. 

Then His Highness moved to the main stage, during which he witnessed a singing performance entitled "Pearl, you are the refuge of the successful." Then, Ali Lootah, President of the Alumni Association at the American University of Sharjah, delivered a speech in which he indicated that the university had completed its 25th year, during which it achieved many achievements based on the vision and leadership of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.
The audience watched a video show displaying achievements of the American University of Sharjah in the past years, in addition to video interviews of some former graduates who talked about their journey and successes after the study trip at the university.
 
His Highness, the President of the American University of Sharjah, honored a number of graduates in recognition of their various achievements in their fields in addition to their community contributions. The honors included the winners of the University Award for Voluntary Services, and the winners of the Most Active Member of the University Alumni Council award. The names of the honorees were placed on the wall of the elite graduates of the American University in Sharjah for 2023.
His Highness also honored the main supporters of the university, which are Alef Group, Arada Company, Bee’ah Company, Crescent Petroleum, Emaar, Etisalat, Petrofac, Sharjah Media City “Shams”, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Invest in Sharjah, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Sharjah National Oil Corporation, the Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and Talabat Company.

At the end of the ceremony, His Highness the President of the American University of Sharjah received a commemorative shield from the President of the Alumni Association at the university. The shield bears Quranic verses designed by a number of the university's graduates.
 On the sidelines of the ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the "Appreciation Garden", which is located on the university campus. It was designed by the university's graduate architects in honor of the valuable contributions of the university's friends, partners and alumni in support of the university's educational mission. His Highness signed a plaque that was designed at the entrance to the garden.
 
The dinner party was attended by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Digital Office;  Sheikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qasimi; Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department; Salem Youssef Al Qasir, Chairman of the Labor Standards Development Authority; Dr. Khaled Omar Al-Midfa, President of Sharjah Media City "Shams", members of the University's Board of Trustees, faculty and administrative staff, and 3,500 graduate students.