Sharjah: American University of Sharjah (AUS) celebrated the graduation of 794 students at its Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, held at University City Hall in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS. The event brought together university leadership, faculty, families, and guests to recognize the achievements of a graduating class representing 47 nationalities.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Bodour and AUS Chancellor Dr. Tod Laursen each delivered a commencement address, sharing messages of pride, perseverance, and purpose. Sheikha Bodour emphasized the importance of determination and tenacity, urging graduates to step into the future with courage and empathy. Chancellor Laursen highlighted the graduates’ academic strength, ethical grounding, and global perspective, expressing pride in their accomplishments.
Guest speaker Emi Mahmoud, a poet, activist, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, addressed the graduating class with a reflection on resilience and purpose. Mahmoud’s message focused on using education and skills to drive meaningful change. In recognition of outstanding contributions to academia and research, AUS conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Dr. Manahel Thabet for her exceptional achievements in economics and artificial intelligence.
Student voices were also central to the ceremony. Graduates Kareem Mohmoud Hijazi and Ahmed Ayman Ahmed shared their reflections on overcoming challenges and the privilege of education. The ceremony featured the announcement of top student honors, with the President’s Cup awarded to four students for achieving the highest academic standing and the Chancellor’s Cup awarded to Fahad Mahmoud for exceptional academic excellence and service.
This commencement marked a milestone for AUS, celebrating the first graduating cohorts of two master’s programs. The Class of Spring 2025 included 123 graduate students and 671 undergraduates, with a diverse representation of nationalities and academic disciplines. These graduates now join a global network of AUS alumni, carrying forward the university’s tradition of academic excellence and impact.