AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 Brings Together More Than 900 Graduates

American University of Sharjah (AUS) brought graduates back to campus for the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026, held on January 24 at the AUS Main Plaza under the patronage and presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, drawing alumni from across the UAE and from overseas.

The gathering focused on reconnecting past students, marking key milestones and underlining alumni as long-term partners in the institution’s future. Hosted by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA), the event ran under the theme "Together We Rise" and highlighted AUS’ emphasis on lifelong learning and community links built over 25 years.

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A major announcement during the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 was the Graduate-Level Alumni Scholarship, offering eligible graduates a fully funded AUS postgraduate degree. Two names were selected in a draw led by the AUS President, reinforcing support for alumni progression and signalling institutional backing for skills development in the wider labour market.

The scholarship draw named Fatima Alshamsi and Karim Elsadek as the first recipients, each receiving funding valued at about AED200,000. Their academic backgrounds and colleges were also highlighted for attendees, illustrating the breadth of disciplines represented among scholarship winners from recent graduating cohorts.

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Explaining the deeper purpose of the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026, H.H. Sheikha Bodour said, "This gathering is proof that what makes a university is not buildings and campuses, but the community of people who come together in its name to learn and grow together. Being an AUS alumnus means being a partner in the university’s future. The bond remains strong and, as our alumni rise, the university rises with them."

This year’s AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 also honoured the 25th anniversary of the first graduating cohort, known as the Alumni Pioneers from Fall 2000 and Spring 2001. Members joined a ceremonial procession, watched a tribute video and gathered for an official photograph with the President, underscoring the long-term nature of alumni engagement.

Reflecting on the journey of the first cohort, Ansar Babu, Director of Global Distribution and Operations at the Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arabia, said, "Being part of the first graduating class of AUS was both a privilege and a responsibility. We graduated alongside a young institution filled with ambition, and 25 years later, it is deeply moving to see how AUS has grown into a university of global standing. The values instilled in us at the very beginning continue to guide our journeys, and returning to campus today is a powerful reminder that once you are part of AUS, you remain part of its story for life."

The AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 programme also centred on professional networking and shared learning. The evening was hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Rania Hammad, a fashion influencer and disability advocate, while networking spaces and affinity corners encouraged conversations among alumni from different graduation years, colleges and sectors across the UAE and abroad.

Guest speakers added further content to the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 agenda. Author and speaker Dr. Khaled Ghattass delivered remarks on positive psychology, decision-making and cultural diversity. Adventurer Mostafa Salameh, one of fewer than 20 people to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam, discussed a career journey that stretched from a refugee camp to the world’s highest peaks.

The cultural element of the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026 was highlighted through a live performance by singer and Arab icon Diana Haddad, which closed the formal programme on a celebratory note. Alumni then continued informal discussions, reflecting on shared experiences and current roles in sectors across the region’s economies.

Assessing the impact of the AUS Alumni Reunion 2026, Reem Bardan, Executive Director, Advancement and Alumni Affairs at AUS, said, "Seeing alumni from across generations return to campus for this year’s reunion offered us a powerful reminder of how far this university has come. When AUS first opened its doors, it welcomed a few hundred students and today, tens of thousands of graduates carry this community into industries and societies around the world. Over the past 25 years, AUS has shaped lives, opened doors and created a network of changemakers who continue to support one another and strengthen the communities they serve. This reunion was truly a proud moment for us all."

With inputs from WAM