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Chancellor Heath discussed the He also shared with the faculty implementation of strategic figures depicting the increase AUS - State all 2011 initiatives as well as the budget of the University| Fgraduate and undergraduate in distribution. He told the audience headcounts, alumni, faculty and staff that the AUS School is expected to as well as breakdown of student open in 2014. enrollment in majors by college/ school.
Most of the new students joining AUS this semester belong to the top 20 percent of their high school class, with their average high school scores as a group being about 92 percent. This was stated by AUS Chancellor Dr. Peter Heath at a welcome session held for new students and their parents at the AUS Main Auditorium on Friday, September 9. He said that around 50 percent of the total number of AUS students are from Arab nations, 20 percent from the UAE, 13 percent from South Asia, 4 percent from Iran and
AUSCAMPUS REPORT
After many months of planning, the new AUS website launched on September 18. The new website provides a platform that showcases the universitys academic excellence and its diverse campus life, as well as strengthens our online presence internationally. For this purpose, the layout has completely been redefined to support our strategic initiatives and serve the needs of our potential and existing students, their families, our alumni, our partners and sponsors. The website is a continuously evolving part of our communications. We hope that you enjoy the new layout, keeping in mind that this is an ongoing project, which we will continue improving in the next few months. Below are some of the comments that we received through social media.
I encourage all employees to attend at least three training sessions per year...
Training for the ICDL is two-and-ahalf hours daily, for a total of seven weeks. Each of the seven modules must be passed in order to receive the certificate. Various shorter soft skills courses are also available, such as Customer Service, Communication, Creative Problem Thinking and Decision Making. Staff at a supervisory or managerial level can also choose courses in interviewing and motivation skills. Participants will receive a certificate upon successfully completing the course. Average class sizes for these courses ranges from 16 to 20. For more information about the training programs on offer, secure permission from your department manager and send an email to Rasha Elsaid (relsaid@aus.edu).
The Internal Quarterly Newsletter of American University of Sharjah
AUSCAMPUS REPORT
CR: What attracted you to AUS? One of the things that attracted me to AUS is the multicultural environment. Im really excited about the international community on campus, and am delighted to be here in the Middle East. CR: What is your average working day like? My working days are typically very long theres a lot of multitasking and working with staff in a supporting and mentoring relationship. I enjoy working with people from different nationalities and am very team oriented. My communication style can be summed up as open and honest.
Dr. Cleve McDaniel joined AUS as its new Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration this semester. Campus Report met with him in his office for a quick interview. Below is an excerpt. CR: Tell us a bit about yourself. Im a US citizen, and have lived there all of my life. I grew up in a small mining town not far from St. Louis, Missouri. I went to undergraduate school at Washington University in St. Louis, then got a masters degree at Southern Illinois University. I got my doctorate at the University of Missouri, Columbia, while I was working at Lincoln University in Missouri. Ive consulted outside the US but have never worked outside. CR: Tell us a little about your career. Ive been working in the field of higher education for 28 years. In the US, I have worked in several university positions as the senior finance and administrative officer. All of my jobs have been challenging. My last position as Senior Vice President at the Desert Research Institute was fascinating, as this institute conducts environmental research all over the worldit works on five continents, including Antarctica.
CR: What plans do you have for AUS? With an autocratic approach, you tend to hold things close to your chest. Thats not my aimIm looking for ways to enhance the transparency of our existing operations with an ever-increasing alignment with the university mission. Im also very customerservice oriented. Im looking forward to my time here, working with the Chancellor, the Provost, the other vice chancellors and vice provosts, and with all the faculty and staff. I look forward to making a contribution and to help make a very good university even better. CR: Theres a lot of talk these days about telecommuting, home offices and the like. What would you think of them being applied at AUS? We are always looking for ways to enhance the use of technology. However, in order to provide great customer service, it works better when people are on campus. As many staff and faculty live on campus, and with the staff able to take advantage of flexi-timings, there is always a lot of built-in communication. I think that were already a step ahead of other universities in this regard.
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AUS now has a new Strategic she added. AUSs presence in online and print media is key to Communications and Media supporting our initiatives and Department under the guidance improving our brand awareness of Miriam Kiwan. The Strategic OFFICE OF THE regionally and internationally, she CHANCELLOR Communications and Media added. Departments mandate now 1X 1X reflects the focus on aligning Our department aims to the AUS brands awareness and further strengthen the communications. Our department aims to further 1X strengthen the universitys brand image and positioning within the MENA region while improving internal and external 1X communication, said Kiwan. The department also acts as a brand guardian and advises on all communication processes within 1X AUS, while aligning the strategic communications messages with the universitys overall objectives,
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This year, Grafdom.com, a UAEbased digital media agency, ranked AUS first in the education sector in 1X its Social Media Report of Top 100 Brands, in terms of presence on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and the video sharing 1X website YouTube. To contact the department, email commsmedia@aus.edu.
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Are you a faculty member wishing to spend a semester or two teaching abroad?
Travel expenses and accommodation are the responsibility of the faculty members unless otherwise agreed. The offer is limited to faculty only and does not extend to spouses or dependents. Expenses of accompanying spouses or dependents are the responsibility of the faculty member. If you are interested in participating in these programs, please visit the Office International Exchange Programs on the ground floor of the AUS Main Building, email Linda Angell at langell@aus.edu or call extension 4027.
organize a lecture
The department is involved in the organization of various types of events such as conferences, MOU
For more information, contact Toufic Saifi at tsaifi@aus.edu or call extension 2326.
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AUSCAMPUS REPORT
60 seconds with
Walid Dafallah, Human Resources Officer
Home: Khartoum,Sudan Family: Wife and ten-month-old son What was your first job? Marketing Specialist What was your worst job? Social worker in Sudan What job did you want to do as a kid? Be a famous pianist What do you enjoy most about working at AUS? Seeing AUS move toward further success and to be involved in its growth What is your best advice for success in the workplace? Teamwork and coordination with other departments I couldnt do my job without: Professional management What is your favorite food? Japanese Whats your ideal holiday spot? Venice Whats the best place to visit in your home country? The Sudan countryside because of its pace of life and greenery With what famous person, living or dead, would you like to have dinner? Barack Obama What are some of your hobbies? Playing the piano, pool and table tennis Last book read: A Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinn Last movie watched: The Debt Favorite pastime: Golf Favorite place in the UAE (or Middle East): Musandam in Oman If you could go back in time, what period would you choose and why? I would go back 20 years and study business administration instead of IT If you could change one thing at AUS, what would it be? Add shelters between all of the buildings What is your favorite song? "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion What would you like your tombstone to read? Nothing is impossible
During the academic year, members of the campus community can take part in fun runs and walks organized by the Wellness Department. Each month has a different theme, such as road safety or having a healthy heart. This semester the Wellness Program will be challenging members of the AUS community, to really push themselves, said Lee Mitchell, Director of Wellness. Many people walk 6,000 or so steps per day, and thats great. But by walking 10,000 steps, youre more likely to get the benefits of losing weight, lowering blood pressure and strengthening the bones. Taking walks for leisure can also improve your state of mind, give you more time with your family and help you relax, he added.
Here are some suggestions to help you reach this target: Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you live on campus, walk to work. If you live off campus, park your car as far away as possible. During your leisure time, stay active and take a walk with family or friends. Leave the car key in the office and walk to your exercise classes. The next fun run/walk is set for Saturday, October 22 at 5:45 p.m., starting from the Airport Road entrance of AUS. To see a list of upcoming Wellness events please visit www.aus.edu/ wellness. For more information, please contact Lee Mitchell at lmitchell@ aus.edu or extension 2240.
To submit news or to make inquiries, please contact Farid Alvie (ext. 2210, falvie@aus.edu). Campus Report is published by the Strategic Communications and Media Department.
The Internal Quarterly Newsletter of American University of Sharjah