Return to flip book view

1school of business administrationSP TLIGHTTOP NEWS OF THE SEMESTERFall 2023

2SBA extended warm wishes to all female Emirati students onEmirati Women’s Day by presenting them with flowers andexpressing hopes for a beautiful day ahead.SBA joyfully introduced the latest faculty members to the School of Business Administration in Fall 2023:Dr. Eid Alotaibi 1.Dr. Donghyeok Jang2.Dr. Destan Kirimhan3.Dr. Hasnan Baber4.The past semester was marked by the arrival of these talented individuals, contributing to an enrichingperiod of learning and growth.WHITE ROSES FOR EMIRATI WOMEN’SDAYNEW FACULTY WELCOME LUNCHThe Excel workshop was held from October 2nd to October 5th and catered exclusively toBusiness students, equipping them with essential Excel skills widely used in diverseindustries. The workshop covered fundamental operations such as importing andorganizing data, progressing to advanced functionalities like arithmetic functions,LOOKUP, filtering, pivot tables, and charts. This hands-on training aimed to providestudents with a solid foundation for further exploration of advanced Excel topics in theirfuture endeavors.EXCEL AND PYTHONTRAINING SESSIONS

3A fantastic day unfolded with SBA students,featuring fun games, networking, and deliciousfood. Laughter filled the air as studentsconnected and built lasting memories, fostering astrong sense of community within the School ofBusiness Administration.PROFESSOR LARS KOLIND'SLECTURE TALK!Mr. Ahmed Abdelaal, the Group CEO of MashreqBank, illuminated the audience in his talk on theprofound influence we could have at work,surpassing mere hours. The event offered valuableinsights into the transformative impact of ouractions in the workplace, underscoring theenduring imprint we can leave in our professionalspheres.CHANCELLOR'S DISTINGUISHEDLECTURE SERIESProfessor Lars Kolind's lecture at SBA wasgenuinely inspiring. His talk on EntrepreneurialLeadership and Innovation captivated theaudience, offering valuable insights and practicalwisdom. The interactive session encouragedthoughtful discussions, giving students a deeperunderstanding of leadership's role in drivinginnovation. It was a memorable event thatimpacted our students' perspectives and enhancedtheir readiness for future leadership roles inbusiness.MEET SBA

4 THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS RESEARCH FORUMSBA was honored to host an inspiring social entrepreneurship discussion with eL Seed. eL Seed is acontemporary artist who uses the wisdom of writers, poets, and philosophers worldwide to convey messages ofpeace and highlight the shared human experience. His artwork serves as a bridge connecting people worldwide,earning him global recognition for his projects.The conversation, led by eL Seed and May Barber, explored impactful social initiatives—launching aneducational program in Nepal and an income-generating project in Rwanda with significant impact on thesecommunities.WORLD’S TOP 2% SCIENTISTSSBA has, once again, gained global recognition as Dr. NarjessBoubakri, our Dean; Dr. Rodrigo Basco, Professor ofManagement, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship, and SheikhSaoud bin Khalid bin Khalid Al-Qassimi Chair in FamilyBusiness; and Dr. George Christodoulides, Professor inMarketing and Information Systems, and Chalhoub Professor inLuxury Brand Management have been featured in the World'sTop 2% Scientists by Stanford University for 2023.SBA DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIESDr. Rodrigo Basco spearheaded the successful three-day International Family Business Forum,uniting scholars, leaders, policymakers, and students for global discussions on family businessdynamics. The event encompassed leadership dialogues, academic research presentations, and apanel on family business and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Distinguished speakers, includingMohamed Batterjee, Rasheed Binzagr, Haleema Al Owais, Mishal Kanoo, Abdulla bin Touq AlMarri, Easa Al Gurg, and Najla Al Midfa, enriched the discourse. Dr. Basco's visionary leadershipensured a vibrant exchange of ideas, marking a significant milestone in celebrating and advancingthe role of family businesses.

5We're thrilled to share the success of the #PinkOctober event! Organized by the School of BusinessAdministration, the Dean's Business Team, and the AUS Emirati Cultural Club, with generoussupport from Thumbay Hospital and Danube Home, the event united the community for a memorableexperience. The occasion featured delicious food, entertaining games, and diverse vendor stalls, andraised funds for breast cancer awareness and treatment through the Pink Caravan initiative in theUAE. Complimentary breast cancer screenings were offered throughout the day, thanks to PinkCaravan's support. Special thanks to Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi forgracing the event, adding a unique touch to the occasion.SBA PINK FEAST THE BEAAH SUSTAINOVATIONSUMMITParticipating in the Beaah Sustainability Summitalongside Dr. Narjess Boubakri and Mourad Ben Ayedwas a delightful experience. The summit focused onfostering actionable progress towards a sustainablefuture, emphasizing the pivotal role of education inbuilding a sustainable world. Engaging in interactivediscussions with both the panelists and the audiencebrought attention to the significance of education in thiscontext. Additionally, encountering four AUS alumni at thesummit was an exciting and rewarding experience.Overall, the event was excellent, informative, and verywell-organized!5

6ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGIESSBA's program led by Dr. Ashraf Khallaf and Dr. EidAlotaibi from the Accounting department, providesstudents with the latest market certificates. Courses likeAccounting Analytics offer opportunities for students inboth graduate and undergraduate studies to acquirecertificates and proficiency in analytical and technologicalskills, meeting the growing demand in the market. An enjoyable and productive meeting and lunch withour colleagues Dr. Hyeon Yeo, Dean of G-School andExecutive Chair of KAIST-NYU Innovation Campus,and Dr. Hwasoo Yeo, Professor and Advisor forGlobal Education Development/G-School from KAIST.We exchanged ideas and potential collaborations inAI and management and start-ups.We celebrated our newest additions to the family with aspecial lunch in the company of our esteemed Dean.Interestingly, their names were chosen randomly, but destinybrought them together for a fantastic start to their academicjourney.FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS LUNCH WITH THE DEAN AUS students clinched second place in the regionalcategory of the Collegiate Penetration TestingCompetition's ninth round, highlighting strongcybersecurity skills. The winning team, led by AdhamElmosalamy, Hassan Abouelela, Aley Eshra, OmarSafwat, Abdulaziz Mohammed (double majoring incomputer science and mathematics), and AhmadAyman (economics student), was supervised by Dr.Ra'afat Abu-Rukba, Associate Professor of ComputerScience and Engineering.RISING CYBERSECURITY STARS KAIST-NYU VISIT TO SBA

7DEANS LIST FALL2022 - SPRING2023The Dean's List ceremony was a special eventdedicated to recognizing the outstandingachievements of our SBA students. It celebratedtheir academic excellence and hard work, fosteringa sense of pride and community within the school.The ceremony highlighted the importance ofdiligence and perseverance, creating a motivationalenvironment for ongoing success.FAREWELL AND WELCOME FOR STAFFBid farewell to a valued colleague, NishaGopalakrishnan, and warmly welcomed our newteam members, Samar Jalil, and Angelica JuneQuiocho: farewells and fresh beginnings - all part ofour journey together.OEM-SBA ENRICHMENTPROGRAMAli Khawaja and the SBA StartUp team hostedan ideal validation workshop for Al Safa Boys'School students. The students had an enrichingsession on building their own business. It wastruly inspiring to witness their enthusiasm andinnovative ideas.DC MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR The faculty of SBA was honored to receive ChancellorTod Laursen and Provost El Tarhuni in the school.During the visit, the chancellor took the time to meetthe faculty members personally in an open forum wherestrategic directions of the University and facultyresearch and load were discussed.Similarly, the school leadership met the day before todiscuss the SBA opportunities and challenges.

8We are incredibly proud of our students' outstandingperformance as they delivered a presentation onsustainability and ESG to an audience of 1000 highschool students at the Sharjah Book Authority. Weextend our heartfelt gratitude to Majra for this beautifulopportunity to allow our students to showcase theirtalents. Moreover, it was an enjoyable experience foreveryone involved.SBA STUDENT'S PARTICIPATION IN MAJRA/SHARJAH-BOOK FAIRAUS STUDENTS TO ODOOCindy Baker from the School of BusinessAdministration arranged a trip to Odoo, arenowned Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)provider, for INE students and peers from theDepartment of Industrial Engineering (INE). AtOdoo Middle East, employing over 400 people, asubstantial number are American University ofSharjah graduates. The visit included aninformative office tour and an engaging ERPworkshop.SBA STUDENTS VISIT PIAGETDr. George Christodoulides took his LuxuryMarketing Class on a Journey of Elegance atPiaget. Our Students learned theCraftsmanship, Heritage, and Artistry thatDefine Piaget's Legacy from the Heart of SwissLuxury. In a practical workshop, they honetheir skills, Dismantling and AssemblingMechanical Watches and Mastering Piaget'sDecor Palace Technique on Golden Plates.SBA VISITED THE POD COMPANY & SPEED HOUSE, AJMANDr. Linda Angell led a group of students to visit ThePod Company, Speed House subsidiary. They producecustom bathroom pods for dorms and hotels,streamlining construction with low resource needs. Thecompany offers tailored services, including concretebase pouring, hardware installation, and interactivesessions with students over two visits.

9SBA VISITED PURE HARVEST, ADI/NAHEL FARM, ABU DHABI SBA VISITED RUBBER ROAD INDUSTRIAL L.L.C., RAS AL KHAIMAHDr. Linda Angell took students to visit RubberRoad Industrial L.L.C. produces high-qualityrubber compounds for various industries, includingairport and warehouse management. They importraw rubber, process it with a zero-waste approach,and remanufacture used tires. Our SCM202 classesvisited on October 20th and experienced apresentation, tour, and Q&A session.Pure Harvest engages in high-tech agricultureand farming, producing a range of fresh fruitsand vegetables for supermarkets across theUAE. They hosted our SCM202 classes led byDr. Linda Angell for a visit to their Adi/NahelFarm on 27th October, where we toured andobserved their R&D facility, which wasexperimenting with the growth of berries at thetime. The hosts gave us an initial backgroundpresentation, followed by a tour of the growthareas, packaging, storage, and warehousingfacilities. Finally, they offered us a Q&A sessionwith freshly made berry smoothies!Marketing 401 final project with KitKat yielded standoutresults! In the past, students devised cutting-edge strategiesthat gained endorsement from KitKat's Brand Manager, Mr.Khalid Al Sayed Ahmad, and Mr. Karim Al Bitar, Nestlé'sMarketing Capability Building Lead in the MENA region. Theculminating event showcased captivating presentations, andthese industry leaders' insightful discussions and feedbacksignificantly enriched the students' projects. Congratulationsto all the participants for their past hard work anddedication, with a special shout-out to the winning teams.Big thanks to Dr. Mona Mourad for bringing the opportunityto students. MARKETING 401 PROJECT TRIUMPH WITH KITKAT

1 0FINANCE STUDENT IRYN TONY TRIUMPHS IN FAB'SFUTURE BUSINESS LEADER COMPETITION ANDADVOCATES FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AT COP 28Iryn Tony, a Finance student at the School of Business Administration, recently won first place inthe Future Business Leader (FBL) competition hosted by First Abu Dhabi Bank. Her success washighlighted at COP 28, where she discussed the intersection of Finance and Sustainability. Duringthe panel session, Iryn emphasized the importance of education in Green Finance and ClimateFinance, mainly focusing on legal frameworks in the UAE. The panel, moderated by KritikaKadekodi, explored empowering youth in sustainability matters. FAB expressed confidence in therole of today's youth in combating climate change through initiatives like the FBL competition.Dr. Jamal Maalouf and SBA students had the privilege of joining COP28, actively engaging inthe enlightening workshop, ‘Sustainable Futures: Navigating Green & ESG Skills for YoungProfessionals,’ thoughtfully organized by UAE Majra.SUSTAINABLE FUTURES: NAVIGATING GREEN &ESG SKILLS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

1 1DR. OZGUR KAYA’S SABBATICAL SUCCESS: NURTURINGRESEARCH EXCELLENCE AND FOSTERINGCOLLABORATIONSDuring Dr. Ozgur's sabbatical, she identified andsubmitted three research projects, diversifying herportfolio through fruitful networking. Theuninterrupted focus on research led to a robustproject pipeline at various stages. Interactions atthe University of Georgia resulted in a proposedMOU, showcasing their interest in collaborationwith AUS. AUS's consistent ranking as the best ineconomics, econometrics, and finance in the Arabregion highlights its commitment to high-qualityresearch. Dr. Ozgur's research papers, intendedfor reputable international journals, aim further toelevate AUS's position as a regional researchleader.NAJAH- EXPO EXHIBITIONS 2023SBA faculty, staff, and studentsparticipated in various exhibitions lastsemester, including Sharjah Expo, NajahDubai, and Najah Abu Dhabi. Theirdedication and creativity wereinstrumental in the success of eachevent.

1 2AUS BATTLE OF COLLEGES SPORTS TOURNAMENTS A resounding victory for SBA1 in the Men's Basketball category, securing the championship!These exceptional teams showcased their skills and teamwork during the thrilling conclusion andprize distribution ceremony of the Battle of the Colleges Sports Tournament on October 26, 2023,at the Sports Complex. Additionally, we celebrate the outstanding performance of the women'steam, which clinched 2nd place in their category. Congratulations to all the teams for theirremarkable achievements:First Place - SBA Men's Table Tennis Championship1.First Place - SBA Women's Squash Championship2.First Place - SBA Women's Table Tennis Championship3.First Place - SBA 1 Men's Basketball Champion4.Second Place - SBA Women's Powerlifting 2nd Place5.Second Place - SBA1 Men's Cricket 2nd Place6.Second Place - SBA Men's Powerlifting 2nd Place7.Second Place - SBA Men's Volleyball 2nd Place8.Second Place - SBA1 Women's Basketball 2nd Place9.Second Place - SBA Women's Volleyball 2nd Place10.Third Place - SBA2 Women's Basketball 3rd Place11.

1 3RANA JAMSHED'S REMARKABLE JOURNEY ANDSUSTAINABILITY AWARD AT AUSMBA601 PROJECT PRESENTATIONSIn a past MBA601 class project presentation,ledby Dr. Javed Younas students presented theirwork on "The Transition Towards a CashlessEconomy: Consumer Perception, Challenges,and Benefits in the United Arab Emirates. Thestudents' use of digital tools was notable forcreating an engaging and informativepresentation. Original surveys and primary datacollection were integral to their project, reflectingthe semester's broader emphasis on UAE-focused projects, a choice that was well-receivedby the student body.The SBA acknowledged the accomplishments ofRana Jamshed, who was honored to have receivedthe Sustainability Award at AUS. This recognitionwas particularly meaningful as COP28 unfolded inthe United Arab Emirates. Rana’s journey began atAUS SBA with enrollment for a bachelor's degree in1997, followed by an MBA during her financecareer, and she then pursued a Ph.D. in finance.Alongside pioneer friends and colleagues, she tookimmense pride in being an AUS graduate, alumnus,and perpetual advocate.

1 4We ended the semester on a great note with the SBA clubs on the SBAopen day! Our last day of classes is unlike anyone’s. This event wassupported byhenkel for being part of this event. It was great having themon campus!SBA OPEN DAYENDING THE SEMESTER WITHNATIONAL DAY LUNCH CELEBRATIONS

1 5Career Events - Fall 2023This semester, we facilitated sessions with nine companies to engage with students, allowing them toshare insights about company culture, internship opportunities, and the growth ladder within theirorganizations. The students demonstrated keen interest and participated with enthusiasm. Below aredetails of the companies that visited us and the corresponding level of participation.42KPMG - 12th Sept Session on how to embark on acareer in Advisory Governance,Risk, and Compliance servicesgraduatesAmazon Transcend Launch - 13th SeptWe were thrilled to have Alumna Lama Junaid back with us after completing her MBA from SBA in2020. This was the launch of Amazon Middle East's flagship inter-collegiate program for universitystudents in UAE, encouraging students to find solutions for day-to-day operational issues Amazondeals with in the region. 120students

1 6Bain & Co. - 20th SeptStudents were invited to network withthe Bainies and know more about theopportunities in the region. They alsopresented the information on Women@ Bain.96studentsPost presentation Networking session with the studentsRAK Bank Change Makers Launch - 9th OctThis competition was launched as part ofRAKBANK's Environmental, Social, andGovernance (ESG) responsibilities.Students were asked to present abusiness plan on any of the followingESG topics: Health, Water, RenewableEnergy and Education.62students

1 796Monitor Deloitte x AUS SBA MoU Launch of Consulting Skills Program - 26th OctoberPassionate students attended theinformational session about the ConsultingSkills Program. It encompasses specializedtraining sessions, talks by industry experts,competitions, internships and opportunities forfresh graduates.studentsEY Dubai Office Visit. - 31st OctA group of enthusiastic students joined usas we had our 1st site visit of the year toEY Dubai Office. Students weenlightened about the different careerpaths they can choose and what workingin EY looks like. 24students

1 8RAK Bank Changemakers Final - 2nd Nov3The competition that was launched on the 9th of October came to an end with 3 of the finalist teams beingfrom AUS.We won both 1st and 2nd PlaceTeamsMonitor Deloitte - Global Challenge 2024 Launch 7th NovWe welcomed Monitor Deloitte team on campus to launch the Annual Strategic Case StudyCompetition for final-year students. Our alumni Gautami and Jason (previous Year winners) spoke tothe students about their experience of winning the challenge and subsequently landing a job withMonitor Deloitte. The competition provides hands-on consulting experience throughcase study development with clients and offers a unique globalnetworking opportunity with teams from various Monitor Deloitteoffices. This adventure not only hones strategic thinking but also strengthens the Monitor Deloitte brandworldwide, making it a valuable experience for participants.

1 990PwC Youth Program Launch - 8th NovIntroduced the different Lines of Service (LoS)within PwC (e.g., Assurance, Consulting, Tax,etc.). and explained the roles andresponsibilities within each. Emphasized thelearning and growth opportunities availablethrough a Panel Discussion & Q/A.studentsBCG online Summer internships event - 9th NovHear from recruiters and former interns as they share their internship experience working at the BostonConsulting Group. the online event gave an insight on life at BCG and information on the recruitmentprocess. Unilever - 13th NovInformational session on careers in UnileverFinance and a 60’ quiz shortlisting candidates forthe Country-Wide Competition happening nextsemester.24studentsBCG - Guest Lecture - Performance Management 14th NovWe were pleased to be hosted in thePerformance Management class by ProfessorDr. Marie Waxin. We held a guest lecture withBCG outlining how the organization managesthe performance of Junior manager orConsultants. Lecture shared insights on whatare the main goals of the PM system, main PMevaluation criteria and how the organizationprovides feedback among many other topics.

2 0CDL - Featured on Sharjah TV14th NovSharjah TV produced a brief feature on CDL, including interviews with students who sharedinsights into their involvement with Career Design Lab. The segment covered the servicesprovided by CDL, its role in bridging the gap between academia and professional life, andhow it effectively prepares students for a seamless transition from university to theprofessional world.Amazon Transcend Challenge - 15th Nov - 16th NovAmazon Transcend Challenge team did a dryrun on the 15th of November where the teamswere offloading their material and we met withthem for the last few details that they neededhelp with. The final event was hosted on 16th Novemberand the team was on site from 9:00am till6:30pm. It was an extensive event withstudents coming from Zayed University, NYUand Higher Colleges of Technology. It alsoinvolved multiple on site visits with the Amazonteam.

2 1We prioritize the mental health and well-being of our students. To ensure the well-being of those interningwith external companies, we conducted regular well-being checks over the phone, addressing their ability tocope with changing environments. Additionally, we shared informative content on mental health and well-being through our stories and posts, offering guidance on stress relief techniques and strategies forovercoming workplace challenges.Instagram Posts & StoriesPRESS RELEASES

2 2CHEERS TO THE CLASS OF 2023: CONGRATULATIONS ONYOUR ACHIEVEMENTS!Stay Up to Date on Instagram!@aus.sbaFind us school of business administrationSP TLIGHT