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Office of Research and Sustainability
The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) plays a pivotal role in managing and overseeing all research and sustainability initiatives. It facilitates high-impact research, promotes innovation, generates cutting-edge knowledge, supports scientific progress, and contributes to societal development. The ORI is responsible for appointing distinguished fellows and scholars, overseeing scholarly publication processes and internal seed grant initiatives, and engaging with industry stakeholders for research commercialization and applied research projects. Additionally, ORI manages all sustainability programs and initiatives at AURAK, as well as the RAK Center for Outdoor Comfort (RAKCOC).
The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) plays a pivotal role in managing and overseeing all research and sustainability initiatives. It facilitates high-impact research, promotes innovation, generates cutting-edge knowledge, supports scientific progress, and contributes to societal development. The ORI is responsible for appointing distinguished fellows and scholars, overseeing scholarly publication processes and internal seed grant initiatives, and engaging with industry stakeholders for research commercialization and applied research projects. Additionally, ORI manages all sustainability programs and initiatives at AURAK, as well as the RAK Center for Outdoor Comfort (RAKCOC).
ORI is committed to supporting and enhancing high-impact research and scholarly activities at AURAK by providing research mentoring and professional development opportunities and fostering collaborations among faculty members within and outside the University. Moreover, by offering services that address community needs, ORI strives to strengthen the connection between AURAK's faculty, staff, and students and the broader community for societal impact. Its ultimate goal is to establish mutually beneficial partnerships between the University and the community, which will contribute to the growth and development of both.
As part of its community service, ORI engages with society, promotes social responsibility, and fosters civic engagement by actively connecting with and addressing the community's needs and sustainability goals. Through impactful initiatives and partnerships, ORI strives to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
Mission Statement
The Office of Research and Innovation supports faculty and students in engaging in high-impact research and scholarly activities and facilitating the engagement of AURAK faculty, staff, and students with the community, including industry, businesses, organizations, and government entities.
Vision Statement
To prepare leaders and entrepreneurs by engaging students, faculty, and staff in high-impact research and community outreach and creative initiatives involving local, regional, and global partners.
Goals
- To enhance the research productivity of the faculty and encourage students' involvement in research.
- To facilitate research partnerships between the faculty and AURAK research centers with the industry for high-impact research.
- Translate academic research into practical solutions that address regional and global challenges.
- Promote innovation and entrepreneurship by facilitating technology transfer, intellectual property protection, and partnerships with industry.
- To develop and execute community engagement projects and programs with industry, businesses, organizations, and government entities.
- To assist faculty in looking for funding opportunities and collaborations.
- To provide analysis, research, and information to the School Deans as they work with faculty to develop and implement processes and procedures to encourage scholarship and research.
The Office of Research and Innovation at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is committed to advancing the university's mission by fostering research excellence, innovation, and ethical responsibility. Our goals are designed to build a strong research ecosystem that supports faculty, students, and collaborators while ensuring societal impact and compliance with research ethics and Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols.
Promote Responsible and Ethical Research Practices
- Embed ethical awareness into every stage of the research process, supporting a sustainable and socially responsible research environment.
- Ensure that all research conducted at AURAK adheres to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
- Protect the rights and welfare of research participants, ensuring data accuracy, preventing misconduct, and managing conflicts of interest in compliance with national and international standards.
- Promote proper attribution, respect for intellectual property, and environmental responsibility, ensuring research benefits society.
Prof. Mohammed Awad
Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation / Professor - Computer Science
K 347
+971 7 246 8730
In the fall of 2013, Dr. Mohammed Awad joined the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the School of Engineering in the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Immediately prior, he worked as an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department of Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Amman, Jordan where he had the opportunity to focus on teaching and learning and was ranked number one professor by the students of the school of Information Technology. During his time at AURAK, Dr. Awad has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the President’s Award for Leadership in Service. Dr. Awad earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Houston in the United States in 2011. He earned a MSc in Computer Science at the same university in 2006. He completed a BSc in Computer Science at Yarmouk University in Jordan in 2003. During his graduate studies at the University of Houston, Dr. Awad worked as a teaching assistant for various courses from the freshman to graduate levels and had the opportunity to develop his skills as an educator. Dr. Awad’s research interests include cybersecurity, more specifically in E-voting and I-voting security. Previously, he was involved in a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant where he developed a curriculum module to illustrate electronic voting for non-Computer Science majors. Additional areas of interest include machine learning, data analytics, and technology education.
Prof. Mohammed Awad
Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation / Professor - Computer ScienceDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering
mohammed.awad@aurak.ac.ae
K 347
+971 7 246 8730
In the fall of 2013, Dr. Mohammed Awad joined the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the School of Engineering in the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Immediately prior, he worked as an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department of Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Amman, Jordan where he had the opportunity to focus on teaching and learning and was ranked number one professor by the students of the school of Information Technology. During his time at AURAK, Dr. Awad has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the President’s Award for Leadership in Service.
Dr. Awad earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Houston in the United States in 2011. He earned a MSc in Computer Science at the same university in 2006. He completed a BSc in Computer Science at Yarmouk University in Jordan in 2003. During his graduate studies at the University of Houston, Dr. Awad worked as a teaching assistant for various courses from the freshman to graduate levels and had the opportunity to develop his skills as an educator.
Dr. Awad’s research interests include cybersecurity, more specifically in E-voting and I-voting security. Previously, he was involved in a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant where he developed a curriculum module to illustrate electronic voting for non-Computer Science majors. Additional areas of interest include machine learning, data analytics, and technology education.
Ms. Anna Ortiz
Executive Assistant - Office of Research and Innovation
K 375
+971 7 246 8898
Ms. Anna Ortiz
Executive Assistant - Office of Research and Innovationanna.ortiz@aurak.ac.ae
K 375
+971 7 246 8898
Related Information
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