AUS Board of Trustees drives strategic growth through key appointments and academic advancements

The Board advances institutional priorities in leadership, the development of the faculty, financial planning and governance to support the mission and strategic direction of Aus

Sharjah, Eau – The Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), chaired by its excellence Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan al Qasimi, president of Aus, with reviewing and approved a set of strategic actions focused on leadership development, academics and financial.

After the meeting, Sheikha Bodour said: “Excellence in education is achieved through conscious investment in people, planning and governance of principles. The decisions of the Board reflect a commitment to build an academic institution that is academic and involved but to leadership, supporting the development of the faculty and refining our governance workers to guarantee that Aus is receptive to today’s demand beyond. ”

“Decision tasks last this meeting of the Board reflect the strength of our vision and clarity with what Aus is drawing its way to follow,” said Dr. Todo A. Laurssen, Aus’s chancellor. “With strengthened leadership, defined academic priorities and disciplined financial planning, we are positioning the university to lead with a purpose in a rapidly evolving higher education panorama.”

Among the key results, the Board approved the appointment of Dr. Matthias Ruth as Vice Chancellor for Academic and Rector Affairs. Dr. Ruth is an academic leader with a distinguished history in interdisciplinary research and the institutional strategy, which has played senior roles at the University of York, the University of Alberta and the University of North Government.

The Board also advanced several initiatives to support excellence in teachers, including the approval of a new round of continuous contracts and a new round of academic promotions. These measures reflect the continuous approach of Aus in attracting and retaining outstanding teachers while fossing a culture of academic distinction. An updated human resources policy manual was also adopted to align institutional practices with international standards in the Administration of Higher Education.

In the financial governance area, the Board approved the general operating budget of fiscal year 2025-2026 of the University, together with dedicated budgets for research, postgraduate studies and capital projects. It also supported the independent financial statements of Aus Enterprises, a company set to support the university’s financial sustainability, for the 15 -month period ending on August 31, 2024.

To further strengthen its government structure, the Board welcomed three new members: Dr. Ibtesam Almazrouei, Dr. Tony F. Chan and Mohamed Khadiri. Dr. Almazrouei serves as executive director and interim researcher at AI at the Institute of Technological Innovation in Abu Dhabi and presides over the AI ​​initiative for the United Nations Good Impact. Dr. Chan recently concluded his presidency at the University of Science and Technology of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia and previously served as president of the University of Science and Technology of Hong Kong. Khadiri is the executive director of Bank of Sharjah, with a deep experience in corporate banking and global investment.

With the thesis decisions, Aus reaffirms its position as a regional and global leader in higher education, committed to academic distinction, community impact and graduate preparation to shape the future.