His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and President of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) stressed that the university is moving according to an ambitious strategic plan based on several elements including study programmes, achieving sustainability, communication with the community and supporting scientific research and innovation.

 He pointed out that all that the university needs are pursued through the specialised committees, especially at the level of the students for whom the university seeks to create all forms of comfort to develop them and their levels.

This came during the speech His Highness delivered at the AUS Alumni Association’s ceremony, Thursday at the main AUS campus where more than 3500 alumnae and alumni gathered.

Welcoming the audience, His Highness expressed happiness and pride at being at AUSAA. He said: "We are sure that you are proud to be part of the American University of Sharjah, and we are proud of you,too, because the success of this university is not only due to the effort we are doing, or those of your professors, and the university administration, but you are the ones who did this, you who before you entered this university, you were in your schools an example of hardworking and well behaved students; elite students compete to join the AUS.”

Referring to AUS’ keenness to provide and meet all students’ needs, His Highness said: "This university has a council, which is unlike other councils, and it discusses all the small and big details in the university beginning with the facilities through to even the high scientific planning. A special committee is allocated to each.”

In his speech, His Highness announced the adoption of the ambitious strategic plan of the American University of Sharjah, which consists of four items: The first is that the university is at a distinct level in terms of Curricula outputs which we must maintain in the course of time. The second is achieving the sustainability of this university; plans have been set in this regard. The third is that the university has extracurricular activities other than teaching or learning including communication with the community and concluding many agreements with a number of institutions. Finally, supporting and enhancing scientific research through the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.

His Highness pointed to the importance and philosophy of the existence of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park as part of the AUS campus. Addressing the graduates, in this context, His Highness said: "If you came to the western side of the university, you will observe much activity in the place where technology and innovation exist.” The proximity of the Park gives the students, when they graduate, the opportunity to find the places of scientific research of the big companies, he added, urging students to visit this large complex.

He advised graduates to pursue their higher studies and to be good messengers of the university outside, expressing pride and confidence that the tree of learning whose roots are in the AUS campus still bears fruits.

Recalling the challenges that the AUS has experienced in its opening stages, His Highness noted the development of students' levels through follow-up efforts and attention. He said that in the early years, a big number of students were sent away; in one of the years around 390 students were rejected, which is big number. Ever since, things have changed due to our intensive attention following up all details and providing all means of comfort and activities.

His Highness concluded his speech wishing the graduates more progress and success.