AURAK Celebrates 5th Commencement Ceremony

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) this evening celebrated its 5th commencement ceremony in the presence of H. H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

A total of 77 graduates celebrated the momentous occasion, accompanied by their proud family members, in the university’s brand-new auditorium. This year’s ceremony held a special significance, as it was the first to be celebrated on the AURAK campus.

The valedictorian for the class of 2016, Ms. Asma Alsuwaidi from the School of Engineering, addressed her fellow graduates, speaking of her pride and satisfaction seeing her batch graduate after four years of hard work, and concluding that although this journey has ended, a new one has just begun.

Dr. Tim Mescon, senior vice president of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an accrediting body of which the university’s School of Business is a member, was the honorary guest and delivered a speech encouraging the new graduates to use their education to make a positive change to society and to ‘challenge the status-quo.’ He also reminded the room to make the most of our relatively short lives. “Enjoy the journey. Think about the things that you want to do. Audition for a play, rock climb, learn an instrument, study another language, ask someone out on a date. Celebrate successes, milestones along the way.”

Finally, before the conferring of the degrees, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim proudly addressed the university’s latest group of students to graduate under his presidency. He also reflected on how the university has changed since he joined in 2011, focusing particularly on the rapid progress made over the last 12 months in terms of campus development and the attainment of international accreditation.

Concluding his speech, Prof. Al Alkim addressed the graduates directly, “You have gained our respect for this very significant accomplishment; and you deserve our gratitude for helping to make AURAK a place full of ambition and confidence for the future. You are now our ambassadors in the wider world; and we will continue to involve you as life-long members of the AURAK family.  I hope you continue to remember us as fondly as we remember you.”