A testament to AUS students’ hard work and feats

SHARJAH: Four outstanding American University of Sharjah (AUS) students who demonstrate the highest academic and personal standards have been awarded the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship for the Academic Year 2022-2023 at a special ceremony on campus held yesterday.

Recipients are Eyad Abdelazim Hussein from the College of Engineering (CEN); Alaa Ibrahim Itani from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Alzaina Ahmad Lootah from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD); and Gouthami Pillai from the School of Business (SBA). The winners were recognised for their academic excellence, leadership potential, service to the community, demonstrated talent in their field of study, and participation in extracurricular and university activities.

During his university years, engineering student Eyad Abdelazim Hussein has been repeatedly awarded the AUS Dean’s and Chancellor’s List Scholarships and a merit scholarship for his high academic standing. He also received the Active Student Scholarship last semester for his extracurricular work, including founding the Effective Altruism Club, which focuses on community building and helping others by prioritising projects and policies that improve well-being as part of a global effective altruism movement focused on doing good.

Majoring in psychology with a double minor in data science and international studies, third- year student Alaa Ibrahim Itani has accomplished a lot during her time at AUS. In addition to her high academic standing and earning multiple scholarships at AUS, she was elected the Chartering President of Psi Chi, the international honour society in psychology, and has served on the boards of many student clubs, teams and initiatives.

For fourth-year architecture student Alzaina Ahmad Lootah, receiving the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship proved that nothing is impossible with set objectives, applying oneself and having a positive attitude.

Finance and economics third-year student Gouthami Pillai was ecstatic when she was first informed about her selection for the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship.

“The first thing I did was rush to inform my parents and thank them for their support throughout the years at AUS. I am proud to be able to financially support myself in my last university year with this scholarship. The award is a validation of the efforts I have put into university and it makes me push myself further to work on my personal goals, as well as toward the betterment of student life at AUS,” she said.