AURAK Graduation Ceremony Sees Record Number of Female Graduates; AI Gains Prominence
Female graduates outnumbered males at the twin Commencement Ceremonies of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), while Artificial Intelligence (AI) took center-stage with the number of graduates doubling in just one year.The two graduation ceremonies (13th and 14th) saw a total of 331 graduate and undergraduate students receive their degrees, of which 188 (56.8 per cent) were female, reflecting the growing trend of women aspiring for careers and entrepreneurship.The second major takeaway was the rising prominence of AI in the career landscape. The ceremony saw the very first batch of the university's Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence receive their degrees. AURAK's Bachelor of Science in AI is a four-year program that empowers students to design and develop computer systems and data models, using the latest advances in the field.The 13th Graduation Ceremony (Class of 24) had extra significance attached to it, for these graduates had entered university in the thick of Covid-19 disruption, and had to navigate through the unknown territory of online classes.AURAK, listed among Top 500 Universities in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and occupying the sixth position among UAE universities, honored 68 graduates and 263 undergraduates at the two ceremonies held on successive days. Eight students earned the Summa Cum Laude (highest distinction) honor.H.E. Robert Raines, US Consul General in Dubai, who delivered the Commencement Adress, hailed the resilience displayed by the Covid-impacted graduates of the Class of 2024, and urged them to draw inspiration from the ghaf tree, whose roots go 60 meters into the soil. 'Remember your resilience. Remember that you can do this, whether you become scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, engineers, artists or diplomats. You're entering a world that faces serious global challenges. You will need your resilience to survive and to succeed, and the world needs you to succeed. Second, I hope that you'll remember the value and the importance of community… because it is your community that will nourish you as you grow,' H.E. Robert Raines remarked.Dr. David A. Schmidt, President of AURAK, in his welcome address, said: 'The world you are stepping into demands resilience, adaptability and vision. You've proven that you can navigate uncertainty and adapt to the unexpected. You've pursued knowledge, not at the absence of obstacles, but often in the face of them. As we confer your degrees, we do more than acknowledge your academic accomplishments, we affirm your readiness to lead and to shape the future.'.Prof. Stephen C. Wilhite, D.Phil. Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success / Provost, urged the graduates to carry the legacy of appreciation for diversity and a commitment to promoting cultural understanding and to fostering civic responsibility.'Learning is a lifelong process through which you can leverage your knowledge and skills to become leaders and entrepreneurs who can change the world for the better,' he added.The graduates received their degrees in the presence of the Chairman of the AURAK Board of Trustees and other board members; H.E. Robert Raines, US Consul General in Dubai; AURAK President David A. Schmidt; and administrative leadership team and faculty of the university.
The Valedictorian Address was delivered by Mohammed Ayyub, the topper in Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with the highest CGPA of 3.95, on the first day. For the second Commencement Ceremony, there were two Valedictorians: Maryam Saeed Sanad Abdulla Alnaqbi (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration), the first Emirati to earn the honor in recent years, and Leen Mohammad Jamal Zaid (Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
04-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
ADIB to Hire 400 Emiratis in Al Ain by 2026 as Part of National Talent Development Strategy
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), has announced its plan to hire 400 UAE Nationals in the Al Ain region by the end of 2026, reaffirming its commitment to Emiratisation and the development of local talents across the UAE's banking sector. The announcement was made in line with its ongoing commitment to support the UAE Emiratisation agenda and enhance the participation of Emirati talents in the banking sector in line with the UAE's 'National Skills Development Strategy' and the 'Nafis initiative aims to create job opportunities for UAE nationals in various fields including Islamic retail banking, operations, as well as compliance and collection. This contributes to empowering national talents and enhancing the institutional presence of the bank in Al Ain city, considering it as one of the prominent cities in the part of this initiative, ADIB organized a two-day 'open recruitment event' in Al Ain, in collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi, where they conducted on-the-spot interviews with prospective candidates, presenting a wide range of opportunities across key business event received significant interaction, reflecting Emirati youth's interest in joining the Islamic banking on the announcement, Mohamed Abdelbary, ADIB's Group Chief Executive Officer at ADIB said: 'At ADIB, we believe in unlocking the potential Emirati talent, as attracting and empowering Emirati talent is a strategic priority. Our initiative in Al Ain is a strategic focus in this direction and reflects our commitment to effectively contributing to the country's comprehensive development and providing sustainable, impactful job opportunities for the national Alshehhi, ADIB's Group Chief HR Officer added, 'We aspire through this initiative to build an integrated system for qualifying and developing national talents in Al Ain city, in collaboration with our partners from government entities, educational institutions, and Nafis. We will focus on creating a supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and innovation.'This initiative is within the bank's efforts to support the UAE's vision of increasing Emiratisation and enabling citizens to contribute to the economic and digital transformation journey, especially in vital and future sectors. ADIB reaffirms its commitment to preparing a new generation of Emirati leaders through advanced training and development programs that meet the requirements of the modern banking sector. These programs contribute to building a qualified national human resource base capable of leading the future.
Al Bawaba
03-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
AlMabarrah AlKhalifia announces strategic partnerships to empower students at THE TAKEOFF exhibition
AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (MKF) has announced a series of strategic partnerships with prominent academic and financial institutions in Bahrain as part of its preparations for the upcoming 'THE TAKEOFF' university and career exhibition. Scheduled to take place on 28th June 2025 at the Foundation's headquarters, the event will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation's Board of has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Education Zone, and Mubasher Capital. These agreements underscore a shared commitment to delivering comprehensive and forward-thinking learning experiences to high school students aged 16 to 18. 'THE TAKEOFF' exhibition has been designed as an immersive platform combining career counseling, academic advising, and skill-building opportunities, all geared toward equipping the youth with the capabilities needed to progress professionally in today's dynamic job on the occasion, Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation stated, 'At MKF, we strive to curate educational experiences that inspire innovation and leadership among young people. These partnerships represent a meaningful step toward equipping students with the resources and guidance necessary to shape their future with clarity and confidence, while fostering a generation ready to play an active role in the advancement of our nation.'The exhibition will feature a range of specialized sessions delivered by representatives from partner organizations. Education Zone will conduct AI-driven assessments to help students identify their strengths and potential academic paths. Meanwhile, Mubasher Capital will lead introductory sessions on finance and trading, allowing participants to develop a foundational understanding of investment principles and capital markets. For more details about 'THE TAKEOFF' exhibition or any of AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation's youth-focused programs, please call 17499909, email scholarship@ visit or follow the MKF's social media channels. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Al Bawaba
03-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Marks Inaugural Flight to Yerevan
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital's first low-cost carrier, celebrated the launch of its inaugural flight to Yerevan, Armenia, further expanding its growing network directly from the UAE's mark this special occasion, a ceremony was held at Zayed International Airport prior to departure, attended by H.E. Karen Grigoryan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the UAE in addition to officials from both the airline and the airport. Upon arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, the inaugural flight was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute, celebrating the launch of the new service connecting the United Arab Emirates and of flights, effective June 1st, 2025 (all times local), as follows:On Mondays and Wednesdays, flight 3L 441 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 14:05, arriving in Yerevan at 17:25. The return flight, 3L 442, will depart Yerevan at 18:15, landing in Abu Dhabi at 21: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, flight 3L 441 will depart Abu Dhabi at 09:00, reaching Yerevan at 12:20. The return flight 3L 442 will depart Yerevan at 13:10, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 16:20. All flights will be operated using the Airbus A320 aircraft.'We are glad to celebrate the launch of our new non-stop service to Yerevan, which marks another step in our commitment to expanding connectivity from Abu Dhabi to key international destinations,' said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia 'This route not only offers our customers even more affordable travel options but also strengthens ties between the UAE and Armenia, enabling cultural exchange and fostering tourism and business growth.'The new route offers travellers a convenient, reliable, and comfortable air travel option between Abu Dhabi and Yerevan, enhancing connectivity and supporting tourism and business ties between the two Arabia Abu Dhabi operates a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with 'SkyTime', a free in-flight streaming service that allows passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. Customers can also enjoy a variety of affordable delicacies including snacks, meals, and sandwiches through the on-board 'SkyCafe' menu. In addition, Air Arabia offers 'Air Rewards' an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their direct flights between the two cities by visiting Air Arabia's website, by calling the call centre, or through travel agencies.
