IN THIS ISSUE:

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY of KUWAITOffice of Alumni Affairs (Division of Student Affairs)P.O. Box 3323, Safat 13034, KUWAITPhone: 802040 / (+965) 224-8399, Ext: 256Fax: (+965) 572-4947AlumniAffairs@auk.edu.kwwww.auk.edu.kw__________________________________________________Created By: Dana Taqi (Office of Alumni Affairs)Editor: Reham Al-Samerai (PR & Marketing)Photography: Fatma Khamis (PR & Marketing)Design: Amer El-Assaad (PR & Marketing)

© 2008. American University of Kuwait. All Rights Reserved.

ISSUE 1

APRIL 2008

Introduction..........................................1

Faculty Spotlight..................................2

Alumni News........................................2

AUK Mascot..........................................4

Upcoming Events................................5

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ISSUE 1

Greetings Fellow Alumni, Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Alumni Associa-tion Bi-Annual Newsletter.

When you first entered AUK, you became part of a larg-er family. A family that supported you during your col-lege years and one that will continue that support in the future. As a graduate of AUK, you have become a part of a new network of burgeoning leaders destined to impact Kuwait. You now have an even more crucial role to play as you move on in life and pursue your dreams.

All members of our university community: students, staff, faculty and alumni, have a place on the continuum, linking AUK to the society around us. You, our alumni, play an integral role of our collective aspiration. A great university can measure its worth by its alumni. Although you may not be physically on the AUK campus, you remain a valued part of AUK’s extended family and we can learn from you. We’ve developed a few ways to stay in touch. An AUK Alumni Newsletter will be published bi-annually. We’ll share what’s happening at AUK and what’s happening in your lives. Check your Alumni e-mail regularly to get the latest AUK happenings.

As the Coordinator of Alumni Affairs, my job is to help you stay in touch. Please feel free to contact me for more information about AUK and how we can meet your needs. I look forward to our growing as a strong and viable Alumni As-sociation.

Dana Taqi ’07Coordinator of Alumni Affairsdhtaqi@auk.edu.kw

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AUK Alumni

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Rawda Awwad: Inspiring students to seek answers

Dr. Rawda Awwad received her doctorate in English and Comparative Literature from Duquesne University in 1997. She joined AUK in April 2004 and is one of the many dis-tinguished faculty members at our English Literature Department. Her laid back approach to literature has earned her a spot as one of the favorite faculty members here at AUK. Prior to AUK, Dr. Rawda lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she taught at a Junior College and was the Team Leader of the General Education Department at Pittsburgh Technical Institute; she was responsible for program development, implementation and Middle East Accreditation.

Professor Rawda inspires her students inside the classroom and out, constantly encouraging them to improve their writing and sharpen their critical perspective. Nooriya Al-Othman, an English Literature student says, “What I like most about Professor Rawda is her teaching style: she doesn’t give you the answers but instead pushes you to seek your own”. Outside the classroom, Professor Awwad inspires her students in ways she may not even know, as her students are always found discussing her methods long after the semester has ended. Her unconventional methods are most evident in her class projects, where students are encouraged to think outside the box. Whether through a play, a paper or even an expressive art piece, her students are constantly encouraged to express their opinions. What Dr. Rawda enjoys most about teaching at AUK are her students “my students have taught me about what really matters in life which is the importance of trust, respect, believing in yourself, and perpetual hope.”

ALUMNI NEWS

I am happy to announce that 88% of our graduates are currently employed while others have chosen different paths. Some are pursuing graduate school while others are stay at home mothers raising future AUK generations. Most of our graduates are working in their field of study and are employed at prestigious banks and investmentcompanies such as Kuwait Investment Authority’s competitive training program.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? • Bibi Al-Abdulmohsen is a Management Trainee at the National Bank of Kuwait• Ameen Al-Ahmed is a Credit Analyst at Bubyan Bank• Bibi Al-Ahmed is working in the Human Resources department at Kuwait National Security Bureau • Meshal Al-Ali is a Compensation Analyst for Kuwait Oil Company• Sara Al-Ateeqi is working in Strategic Investments at Global Investment House• Taiba Al-Humaidhi is on the Advertising Team at Zain’s Marketing department• Adla Al-Madahka is pursuing her dream of Graduate School• Dalal Al-Mutawa is an expecting mother!• Mishari Al-Odah is employed at Kuwait Investment Authority• Budour Al-Qassar is running her own business, BDesserts

Congratulation Alumni! We are proud of you and we hope to see more from you in the future.

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ALUMNI AT AUK:AUK’s doors are always open to Alumni, especially those wishing to seek a career at AUK. Introducing Alumni at AUK:

• Noura Al-Aleiwi ’07 – Registrar Coordinator• Rama Sabano ’07 – Admissions Counselor• Dana Taqi ’07 – Coordinator of Alumni Affairs

Qualified Alumni interested in working at AUK are encouraged to send their resumes to me at dhtaqi@auk.edu.kw

AUK IS HERE FOR YOUAlthough you are no longer students, AUK is still here for you when you need us!The Student Success Center and the Center for Continuing Education are some of the great resources that you can tap into and are eligible to use as our distinguished Alumni.

The Center for Continuing Education:The CCE offers courses in the following departments: Business: Accounting for Non Accountants HR Skills Microsoft Office Languages: English Arabic Art & Design: Interior Decorating Multimedia Specialist Certificate Program Web Design Education: Cambridge CELTA GMAT or GRE preparation IELTS Preparation Workshops As Alumni you are eligible for a discount to courses offered by CCE. Stop by for a visit to learn more!

The Student Success Center:One of the SSC’s best services to you as Alumni is the Career Services program. Please feel free to stop by for support with Career Counseling or Resume advice. Student Success Center’s Upcoming Events: Resume Doctor, April 13, 2008 Resume Critique by Career Counselor outside Starbucks, 12:00-2:00. Resume Critique, April 14,2008 Resumes will be critiqued by Al-Ghanim Industries outside Starbucks, 12:00-2:00. Career Fair, April 15, 2008 in the Auditorium, 10:00-4:00. Entrepreneurship Fair, April 17, 2008. 10:00-3:00

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OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY MASCOT UNLEASHED

WHY WOLFPACK? 1. Team work! Wolves are highly social animals, usually living in packs, and work as a community. Charac-teristics of the AUK community. 2. Integration! Wolves as a pack care for the young, thus enhancing one’s chances of success. The Pack is similar to the AUK family value of mentoring new members of the community. 3. Communication! The call of the wolf is the howl. Done in harmony, bringing the pack together to ward off any fears while facing down any enemy. When the AUK community calls, it is one for all and all for one.

The Wolfpack symbolizes the unity of AUK, our common vision, values, and belief system.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Career Fair April 15, 2008. 10am - 4pm

Entrepreneurship Fair April 17, 2008. 10am – 3pm If you have a special talent for making anything such as jewelry, cooking, sewing or designing cool T-

shirts, come put your skills as well as your business abilities to the test! This event is open to current students, Faculty & Staff and Alumni. Turn in an application (which can be found at SSC) and pay 10 KD for your

booth…start getting creative!

Taste of AUK/Family Day April 26, 2008 10am-4pmTaste of AUK is a day for AUK to show the Kuwaiti community what AUK is all about. There will be plenty of food and activities for the entire family as well as Raffle prizes. All proceeds will go towards a Female Scholar-

ship Fund. We encourage Alumni to bring their family to enjoy the day!

Movie Nights:April 30 and May 28

Graduation June 22nd

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 08!I am happy to announce a new edition into the Alumni Family. AUK’s inaugural class of 2008 will soon join you to become part of a greater community, the AUK Family. After four eventful years AUK is proud to present:

The Class of 2008

The class of 2008 is about to leave this university and enter the domains for which AUK has prepared them. Some will start immediately to earn their living in their designated fields while others will go on to get advanceddegrees. The one thing they will all have in common is the experience of AUK. This is a crucial moment in their lives and we as Alumni should stand ready to greet them into our world.

Let’s extend a warm welcome to the soon to be Alumni of ’08: You are AUK members for life!

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