Issue 10 September 2008 - AUK

IN THIS ISSUE:The AUKChronicle is created and published by the AUKPublic Relations & Marketing (PRM) Depratment.____________________________________________P.O. Box 3323, Safat 13034, KUWAITPhone: 802040 / (+965) 224-8399, Ext: 303Fax: (+965) 571-5881____________________________________________Editor:Photography:Design:Intern:ISSUE 10SEPTEMBER 20083 Dartmouth Corner6 AUK Graduation 20087 U.S. Ambassador & AUKPresident Sign AmericanCorner MOU7 2008 Annual Dinner8 “Hamlet” In New York8 Interview: Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi11 AUK Participates in theSaudi Janadriya Festival12 New Professional Institute200814 How To Contact I.T.15 Human Resources NewsAmal Al-BinaliFatma Khamis(unless noted otherwise)Amer El-AssaadChristina Manassa© 2008. American University of Kuwait/PRM.All Rights Reserved.A Message from the PresidentDear AUK Community:Welcome to the 2008–2009 academic year! We alllook forward to a new and exciting year. Seventeennew faculty members have joined the University forthe Fall 2008 semester and participated in the HRFaculty Orientation (24-25 August) and the generalFall 2008 Faculty and Staff Orientation on the 11thof September.New faculty and staff have been adapting to theunfamiliar circumstances of Kuwait as well as toRamadan. Ramadan, an Islamic Holy Month, is observed by fasting fromsunrise to sunset. It is a special time where many Muslims offer extra prayersand donate more food and money to charity. AUK invited all staff and facultyto partake in celebrating this month with a traditional Ramadan Ghabga at theHilton Resort on the 20th of September. Ghabga is a late-night meal that comesafter the futoor (breaking of the fast) and before the suhoor (early morningmeal before daybreak) during Ramadan. This is a Kuwaiti custom, not alwaysfound in other Arab countries.Classes began during Ramadan on 21st September, and so class schedules havebeen adjusted in order to accommodate our fasting students, staff, and faculty.The University will adjourn for futoor at 5:00 PM and will resume operationat 7:30 PM. Please refer to the AUK Registrar webpage (http://www.auk.edu.kw/registrar/default.jsp) for more details regarding the Ramadan courseschedule. Ramadan-oriented activities will take place as students return, andon-campus futoors will be held at the Ramadan Tent next to the Liberal Artsbuilding and the soccer field. Campus Services and Student Affairs have workedhard to provide students with the logistics to celebrate Ramadan, including thenew, permanent Student Lounge, located near Gate 2 of the AUK campus.Regular class schedule and office work hours will be in effect starting on Sunday,October 5th.New and continuing employees need to know both their AUK colleagues andsenior administrators. The President reports to the Board of Trustees who meetin Kuwait twice a year. The Board’s Executive Committee is closely involved insupervising AUK operations and Master Planning. The President is supportedin major decision- and policy-making by the President’s Cabinet, a group ofsenior executives whose official duties and special expertise make them keycontributors to the challenging task of steering AUK towards its goals. Thegroup currently includes (in alphabetical order):• Ms. Shareefa Al-Adwani, Assistant to the President (PC Recorder)• Ms. Amal Al-Binali, Director, Public Relations & Marketing, GovernmentRelations• Ms. Margaret Combs, Director, Intensive English Program• Mr. Ernest Conklin, Executive Director of Financeand Administration• Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences1

AUKChronicleDARTMOUTH CORNERFit For A King“Courtesy of Dartmouth Life - August 2008Issue”The Emir of Kuwait passed his hand along an antiqueview of the Dartmouth campus, engraved in 1851 byChristian Meadows in Windsor, VT. Outside the palaceit was 115(Fahrenheit) which was, according to ProvostBarry Scherr, “a little unusual for this New Englander.”Scherr had carried the engraving to Kuwait wrappedin Dartmouth Green silk specially prepared by BakerLibrary’s preservation services staff.President Marina Tolmacheva presents Dartmouth Professor Dale Eickelman with acrystal plaque during the university’s commencement ceremony in June 2008“At Dartmouth, and at AUK, we recognize that highereducation knows no national boundaries,” said Scherrat a press event where the signing of the agreementtook place, “and we understand how important it isto prepare students to deal with the issues of a globalsociety.”“We admire Dartmouth’s commitment to the liberalarts and want to emulate that in our own country,”said Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah, chairwoman ofthe AUK Board of Trustees, “and we look forwardto a deepening partnership with our friends in NewHampshire.”Provost Barry Scherr (left) explains the origins of an 1851 engraving of the Dartmouthcampus to the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (right)It was a rare audience with Kuwait’s ruler, occasionedby the renewal, until 2013, of Dartmouth’s advisoryagreement with the American University of Kuwait(AUK), the Persian Gulf nation’s first private liberalarts university. Scherr was in Kuwait to publicly sign therenewal agreement, attend a meeting of the university’sboard of trustees, and address graduating seniors inAUK’s Class of 2008.Dartmouth and AUK began working together in 2003under the terms of an agreement that allows Dartmouthto play an advisory role in helping to build the newuniversity. In the past five years the two institutionshave developed a flourishing relationship that involvesfaculty, students, and staff.Scherr paid special tribute to one of those friends, DaleEickelman, The Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professorof Human Relations at Dartmouth. Eickelman wasinstrumental in preparing the original agreementand serves as Relationship Coordinator for the twoinstitutions. “Higher education in the Middle East andNorth Africa is one of my central academic interests,”he said. “So when the opportunity arose to participatein advising a new university in Kuwait-one that wouldhave a special relationship to Dartmouth-I jumped atthe chance.”Kuwait is in the vanguard of Middle Eastern nationsembarking on bold experiments in higher education. Itspartnership with Dartmouth stands out as an unusualand distinctive model. Unlike universities establishingbranch campuses in the region, AUK is an “indigenous”institution, founded by Kuwaitis and governed by aboard of trustees comprised principally of Kuwaiticitizens.“The Dartmouth-AUK Project has created opportunitiesfor a significant number of students, faculty, andadministrators to participate in this importantinternational development,” said Eickelman, who also3

AUKChronicleDARTMOUTH CORNERoversees an internship program that sends Dartmouthstudents to AUK and brings AUK students to the U.S.John Fine ‘09 became a part of the process duringhis spring internship at AUK, which coincided withparliamentary elections in Kuwait. “I got a fascinatinglook at the political behavior of Kuwaiti young people,”he said. “Even students who weren’t old enough tovote found ways to engage.” In at least two cases, AUKinternships have put students on the path to advancedresearch. Hema Mohan and Jennifer Krimm, both ‘06s,won Fulbright scholarships to pursue research in theGulf based on work they had done at AUK.“Just as spheres of knowledge are no longer selfcontained,nations are no longer fully independent ofeach other,” Scherr told the graduates. Noting thatthe critical thinking skills they had gained in their fouryears at AUK would be key to their participation in acomplex global society, Scherr added, “You occupy aspecial place in the history of this new university, andin years to come, will be honored for the legacy you willsurely create.”By: LAUREL STAVIS(Executive Director of the Dartmouth-AUK Project)A few days after his visit with the Emir, Scherr spoketo AUK’s graduating seniors, presiding over a ceremonynot unlike the one taking place 6,000 miles away inHanover.Dartmouth Intern at AUK (Fall 2008):Evan GreulichInterviewed by: CHRISTINA MANASSA(Intern, PR & Marketing Depratment-AUK)AUK welcomes the 8th student intern from Dartmouth College, Evan Greulich.From Northbrook, Illinois, Evan has joined AUK holding a degree in Asianand Middle Eastern Studies with a minor in History studies. Remarkably, it isnot Evans’ primary experience in the Middle East, as he has previously visitedthe Arab World with a keen interest in learning Arabic through the ‘ArabicLanguage Study Abroad Program’ in the summer of 2007.Since the birth of AUK in 2003, Dartmouth has exchanged over sevenstudents to model as interns with intentions of strengthening the mutualbond between the two institutions, allowing the diverse cultural channels tointegrate and teach our students more about our fellow partners. As Evans’passion for Arabic has flourished, we have learnt that during the winter termof 2008, he has taken the inventiveness of teaching it to beginner students atAUK. We have asked Evan a few questions about his stay with us at AUK:Why did you choose to intern here at the American University ofKuwait?I was initially interested in coming to AUK this fall because last winter I knewI wanted to work in the Middle East, but not take classes at any university. Myfriend and former Arabic TA Weston Sager, who was an intern here Fall 2007, really encouraged me to apply forthis internship. His enthusiasm for AUK was obvious, and I became intrigued with this institution. After applyingand luckily getting accepted, I became more excited about living in Kuwait. I believe AUK’s niche as a growing,developing liberal arts university places it in a quite unique situation in the Middle East. So far I have certainlyfound an energy and passion for learning here, and I look forward to contributing to AUK’s growth over the nextten weeks.I am attracted to the order and logic of the language [Arabic]. But I love howthe structure is intertwined with creativity, and how the sounds and lettersflow together.4

AUKChronicleDARTMOUTH CORNERWhat attracts you most and keeps you motivated into learning the Arabic language?I am certainly not a language person, so many people ask me why I would ever choose to study Arabic—whichis almost as hard as English to master. Initially I often wondered why I chose to continue studying it, but Iguess you could say that now I have ‘fallen in love with it.’ I am attracted to the order and logic of the language.But I love how the structure is intertwined with creativity how the sounds and letters flow together. I also lovecommunicating with many types of people, and knowing Arabic opens up many opportunities for me.What would you tell your friends and professors back at Dartmouth about your experience so far?I can’t wait for the students to meet and interact with AUK students. Other than that, I am still getting adjustedto life in Kuwait and my work here at AUK, but I’ve enjoyed my time so far.Now that you are working as an intern in the Office of Student Life, the Student Success Center, and theIntensive English Program, what would be your goals here?In the Intensive English Program, I want to get to know my students well and really improve their Englishwhile stirring a passion for reading in them. At the Student Success Center I will primarily be working in CareerServices, but I hope to provide effective and meaningful guidance for any AUK students I interact with there.I’m also looking forward to the Health Fair in early November. In the Office of Student Life, I hope to expandstudent organizations and students’ extracurricular involvements. I want more students to find their ‘niche’ inan organization on campus and feel truly involved in campus life at AUK. Throughout my time here, my goalis to have a significant impact on students’ education outside of the classroom.Do you see yourself working in Kuwait or anywhere else in the Middle-East in the future? If so, couldyou tell me a bit about how you would see yourself ?I can definitely see myself working in Kuwait, the Gulf, or other places in the Middle East in the future—I willcertainly have to do that if I want to become fluent in Arabic. In general, I do not like to look ahead more thana year or two in my life, so I won’t speculate about specific professions 5 or 10 years from now or my ‘career.’However, I do see myself working in the Middle East to help make progressive and meaningful changes in thelives of people.5

AUKChronicleAUK NEWSAUK Graduation 2008The Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2008 atthe American University of Kuwait took place at theArraya Ballroom in the Marriott Courtyard Hotel onJune 22, 2008 under the patronage of His Excellencythe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabahand the presence of Mr. Jassim Al-Kharafi the Speakerof the Kuwaiti National Assembly.The ceremony commenced with the Kuwaiti nationalanthem and a recitation of the Holy Quran followedby a speech by Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the Collegeof Arts and Sciences who welcomed students, theirfamilies and guests to the ceremony, and proceeded tothe president of the university, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva.The president welcomed everyone to the very specialoccasion, which celebrates the first class to havecompleted a full four-year course of study at AUK,which opened its doors to students in 2004. SheikhDr. Mohamed gave a touching speech, personal andhumorous, often citing his own children as advisors;and next to speak was Dr. Imad Al-Atiqi, SecretaryGeneral of the Council for Private Universities, whodelivered a speech on the status of private HigherEducation in Kuwait, noting that only six years ago noprivate universities existed in Kuwait and that now therewere 11 certified and accredited private universities andcolleges operating in Kuwait.The president then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr.Barry Scherr, Provost of Dartmouth College. ProvostScherr extended his heartfelt congratulations to thegraduating students, to their parents, to the professorsand administrators at American University of Kuwait,and to the distinguished members of the University’sBoard of Trustees, as the institution celebrates the firstclass to have completed a full four-year course of studyat this still young university. “Dartmouth is proud” hesaid “to have assisted AUK since 2003 through advisoryand consultative projects that help further an awarenessof liberal arts education here in Kuwait and throughoutthe Arabian Peninsula.”Student Keynote Speaker and Valedictorian, RazanSharaf, rose to the podium to deliver her speech.Miss Sharaf completed the Bachelor’s of BusinessAdministration in Management and earned the highestcumulative grade point average of this graduating class.Research, and participated in various athletic teams. Sheserved her fellow students as a tutor and Peer AcademicLeader, and served the community as translator andlanguage instructor for children. Razan plans to pursuean MBA degree.The end of the ceremony was marked by the traditionalcutting of the Class of 2008 cake and professionalphotography was provided for all graduates, theirfamilies and friends.6

AUKChronicleU.S. Ambassador andAUK Sign the AmericanCorner Memorandum ofUnderstanding2008 Annual DinnerEarlier this year, on Monday 5th of May 2008, theAnnual Dinner for AUK took place at the SheikhaSalwa Ballroom organized by the Human ResourcesDepartment. The HR team presented awards foremployees who completed five years of service toAUK.The event commenced with musical selections byMohammad Khayat followed by an introductionfrom the President, Dr. Marina Tolmacheva. AmerEl-Assaad (Senior Coordinator for Publications &Design) then gave a brief but personal speech aboutthe History of AUK on the opening of the university in2003, with a line dedicated to each awardee. The speechalso included a seven minute presentation of AUK inpictures of the birth of AUK. The Five Year ServiceAwardees included:Dr. Marina Tolmacheva (left) Ambassador Deborah K. Jones (right)On September 10th, the Embassy of the United Statesof America in Kuwait, represented by AmbassadorDeborah K. Jones and the American University ofKuwait (AUK) represented by Dr. Marina Tolmacheva,signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerningthe operation of an American Corner located in thelibrary at AUK. To date, the American Embassy hasestablished American Corners in Kuwait at the AmericanUniversity of Kuwait, Kuwait University, and the GulfUniversity of Science and Technology.The American Corner offers opportunities to servethe public by providing information and speakerson a variety of topics. The American University ofKuwait now has Digital Video Conferencing (DVC)capability which enables AUK faculty and students tobring experts from the United States and all over theworld into their own classrooms for live interactionsand discussions on education, history and politics. Lastspring, over eighty students participated in a DVC onprimary election campaigns in the United States with anAmerican academic expert.The Embassy’s Public Affairs Section and the AmericanCorner provide a wealth of information throughextensive databases, books, articles, speakers from theU.S. and the local American community, on a rangeof topics about American society, history and policies.The American University of Kuwait, founded in 2003,offers a learning environment based on the Americanmodel of higher education. It is dedicated to enhancingstudent’s knowledge, self-awareness, and personalgrowth experiences that can strengthen critical thinking,effective communication, and respect for diversity.• Norma Badran: Assistant Director, HR Logistics• Ashoor Moussa: HR Assistant• Sarathy Varadharajan: Senior Accountant• Amal Al-Binali: Director, PR & Marketing• Noushig Momdjian: Registrar Coordinator• Randa Ibrahim: Senior Accountant• Farah Al-Nakib: Director of Admissions (Former)• Nawaj Pradania: Office Facilitator• Abdulrahim Aman Ullah: Office Facilitator• Ahmed Baqheri: HR Assistant• Misbah Jumma: Campus Security Guard• Amer El-Assaad: Sr. Coord. for Publications & Design• Dalia Hassaan: Faculty Support Coordinator• Mazin Younes: Senior Coordinator, Campus Services• Zavier Prem Kumar: Director, FinanceEntertainment at the dinner included various studentmusical performances which included the AUK RockBand Club, Guitar Solo by Hadi Sarieddine and a piecefrom Beethoven by Musaad Al-Qashem. In addition,exciting raffle draws took place thought the evening.Winners received gifts from the following vendors:Wataniya Telecom, Arabian Business Machines, Al-Babtain Group, AUK Human Resources Department,AUK Diner, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Kapico TravelAgency.The 5-Year Service Awardees7

AUKChronicleFACULTY & STAFF NEWSHamlet in New YorkChristopher Gottschalk, Assistant Professorof Humanities (Theatre & Drama) had the great fortuneto play the title role in Gorilla Repertory TheaterCompany’s production of William Shakespeare’sHamlet this summer, in New York City.In keeping with GorillaRep’s long establishedproduction style,the play was staged‘ e nv i r o n m e n t a l l y ’outdoors on theCloister’s Lawn inFort Tryon Park onthe upper end ofManhattan. Eschewingconventional theaterpractice of acting ona static stage whilethe audience remainsseated in chairs, the‘environmental’ stagingof Hamlet placed thevarious scenes of the play at different locations aroundthe perimeter of the lawn while encouraging audiencemembers to follow the action from scene to scene,running from place to place alongside the actors.Hamlet ran for four weeks; opening August 7th andclosing August 31st for a total of sixteen performances.Admission was free and by the final week not an emptyspot could be found on the lawn given the large numberof audience members that had made the trek uptownto see this unique production of Shakespeare’s classic.Excitement was added to the production as the text waspresented entirely uncut and without intermission. Fastand furious, the average running time of the show eachnight was approximately two hours and forty minutes.Professor Gottschalk’s performance received outstandingcritical attention from various media sources,including the prestigious New York Times. Below are afew excerpts from several reviews:“Christopher Gottschalk deserves many kudos for undertakingthe immense task of performing the unexpurgated Daneoutside. And he succeeds on many levels… His Hamlet isa young energetic student who may just very well be a littlecrazy. It is always a pleasure to watch him.”NYTheatre.com, August 9th, 2008“Christopher Gottschalk’s Hamlet is more clearly demarcatedmadman ‘north-northwest’ whose grief continually sharescompany with his anger, an interpretation that reminds theaudience of the Prince’s relative youth despite theatricaltradition.”EDGE Boston, August 12th, 2008“…a simple, accessible, and easily enjoyed version of Hamlet,with the animated and likeable Christopher Gottschalk in thelead.”Backstage, August 28th, 2008“And what of Mr. Gottschalk’s Hamlet? He was a dynamicanchor, whose rapid delivery was initially disconcerting, thewords sacrificed to emotion. But the approach proved to beshrewd, and soon enough the lines emerged. This prince wasno sullen depressive; from the get-go he was feverish, almostdesperate, inklings of madness ever at hand. His fire cutthrough the occasional distractions—passing car or plane—and kept the narrative pumping. Though Mr. Gottschalk’sperformance towered above his co-stars’, he raised the barfor everyone.”The New York Times, August 26th, 2008Professor Gottschalk returns this fall to AUK to resumeteaching Drama courses offered under the HumanitiesDivision within the College of Arts and Sciences. Heis also currently developing an all-female adaptation ofEuripides’ Trojan Women and hopes to direct it withAUK students during the latter half of the Fall 2008Semester.Interview: Dr. HeshamAl-AwadiInterviewed by: CHRISTINA MANASSA(Intern, PR & Marketing Depratment-AUK)AUK would like to welcomeDr. Hesham Al- Awadi,Assistant Professor ofHistory and InternationalStudies at AUK, as the newDirector of the Gulf StudiesCenter. The Center aimsto promote dialogue andunderstanding between Gulfcountries and the West. Dr.Hesham has kindly given ussome time to answer a fewquestions about the Gulf8

AUKChronicleStudies Center, its future plans and activities it aims toprovide for the students and the local community ofAUK.To begin with could you tell us a little bit aboutyourself; where you studied and your motivationfor being at the American University of Kuwait?I was born in Kuwait and educated in the UnitedKingdom. I completed my BA at Guildhall University,MA at Kent University, MPhil at CambridgeUniversity and PhD at Exeter University in the fieldof Middle Eastern Politics and History. I taught BAand MA Middle East studies at Exeter University2001-2003. I joined AUK in 2005.Motivation:Although I spent most of my education period atthe UK, there was a point where I had to go backto my home country, Kuwait. However, I was eagernot to lose the educational and work experience Iaccumulated during my stay abroad. When AUKwas inaugurated, I thought this was the only learninginstitution in Kuwait I could join, and still feel Icould build on my experience. Also, I wanted toutilize whatever I have learned and pass on to thestudents in Kuwait.Now that you are Director of the Gulf StudiesCenter, what are your plans for the Center?I believe that there are great opportunities for theGulf Studies Center at AUK. After the gulf warin 1991, and more so after 9/11 there has been anincreased international interest in the Gulf region;its politics, geopolitics, economics and culture. Theregion itself, and the people who live in it are goingthrough important changes. I strongly believe thatthese new international and regional contexts, acenter like this has great potential to play a significantrole in the coming period.My plans, which are too early to articulate in detailsat this stage, are basically inspired and informed bythis general awareness. I would like to see the centerfacilitate greater encounters of dialogue and mutualunderstanding between the East and the West,Americans and people and elites of the region. Andthis I believe could be achieved in so many ways.Could there be any setback or negative aspects inany of the forthcoming plans?I do not immediate negative aspects in general plansto facilitate dialogue and understanding, exceptperhaps the normal challenges that these plansencounter at the beginning.You need to remember that the Center is new, andthere is a long way ahead of it to establish itselfregionally and internationally. Issues like funding,resources and support from within and outsideuniversity will play a vital factor in determining howthe success of these plans.What will the new Center provide for our studentsand for the community? And in what ways will it bebeneficial for local and international students?AUK Students:I would like the Gulf Studies Center to be an activeand attractive center for the students, through itsactivities including public lectures and academicteaching programs. I would like to contribute to thestudents’ awareness of their unique position in theregion, and the role they could play in contributingto the mission of the center.I had one student asking me if he could volunteerin the activities of the Center. I was so glad thathe thought he could put his time and effort in theCenter. I hope that the Center inspire in students atAUK such an enthusiasm.I have the desire to contribute tothe growth of the center in this newage of major world and regionaldevelopments, and to make relevantand attuned to these changes.Community:The Center hopes to engage the wider communitythrough various activities, most importantly are thepublic lectures. These lectures will be academic innature but at the same time address political andsocial issues in Kuwait or the Gulf. This is oneway to get the media’s attention and guarantee fullcoverage of our events, and thus wider exposure tothe community.International Students:As I mentioned earlier, there is a growing internationalinterest in the Kuwait and the Gulf region in general.The Gulf Studies Center could be a vital learning andcultural institution in this context. Most importantly,it could support Fulbright students working on theregion with research material, and facilitate culturalunderstanding.Also, since there has been an expansion to thecourses offered at AUK on Kuwait and the Gulf, Iam hoping this will encourage international students(particularly from the United States), to study theseand other courses.9

AUKChronicleWhat is your drive and purpose now that you havebecome Director of the Gulf Studies Center?(Students, Educational and Cultural Diversity)As I said, I have a desire to contribute to the growthof the Center in this new age of major world andregional developments, and to make relevant andattuned to these changes.Two new courses have this year been introducedHIST211 (Survey of the Gulf) and a core courseHIST101 History and Politics of Kuwait. Althoughthese are new courses, they have proven to beextremely popular with students who want to learnabout their country and the region.I have also contributed to expanding the librarycollection of literature on the Gulf, both in Englishand in Arabic. I am hoping that the various resourceswill be a great asset for researchers, and for ourstudents at large.One of the potential ideas to facilitate an awarenessof cultural diversity in the region is to organize anexhibition on the various cultural expressions of thedifferent Gulf countries (food, dress, lifestyles etc.),and organize field and tourist trips (for students andfaculty) to the Gulf countries.Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, Professor of the Businessand Economics at the American University of Kuwaitparticipated in the World Islam Forum which was heldat Bayan Palace late spring of 2008. During the summermonth of July, Professor Bagnied presented a seminaron the Kuwaiti Economy – ‘Present and Future’ to theKuwait National Guard at their headquarters in KuwaitCity. Professor Bagnied was also interviewed on a newKuwaiti Television Station, on new marketing practicesin Kuwait, and their ethical implications. ProfessorBagnied also developed twenty new executive trainingprograms for the Center of Continuing Education atthe American University of Kuwait.Dr. Mohsen Bagnied (right) with Ms. Nouriya Al-Subeeh - Minister of Education(middle), and Dr. Ali Al-Jamal (left)Later in August, Professor Bagnied had two jointpublications with faculty members from HofstraUniversity in New York on Entrepreneurship andFamily Business in Kuwait. These were: “First-Generationand Subsequent-Generation Family Business in Kuwait: AnANOVA Study”, and “The Use of Non-Family-MemberManagers in Family Business and Management Activities, Stylesand Characteristics: An Empirical Kuwait Study. These twopapers were accepted for presentation, and publicationin the proceedings at the Annual Eastern Conference ofthe US Small Business Institute.Dr. Jeremy Cripps,Division Head of Business &Economics at the AmericanUniversity of Kuwait has beenin New Orleans successfullytraining to become an ACBSPaccreditor. Professor Crippsalso made a presentation to the2008 Annual Conference ofthe Association of CollegiateBusiness Schools andPrograms, entitled “Growthand Regrowth: AUK 2004 - 2008,” which was wellreceived. Professor Cripps also spent time with Livetext and Interwrite, Learning PRS computer systemslearning about classroom technology which AUK plansto test in 2008.Cripps has also expressed his joy for the internsfrom AUK of 2008, who have continued their globalexpansion, resulting in an increase in the number ofstudents working abroad as international interns.Students worked at banks in Bahrain, Social servicesin Dubai, Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart, and financialinstitutions in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. AUK internsin Kuwait have continued to make inroads into theprivate sector and demonstrate their extraordinarypotential to contribute to the commercial enterprisesthat very generously provided these practical experiencesfor them. The interns have written weekly journalswhich expressed their gratitude and emphasized theimportance of learning the theoretical work in classas it makes a significant impact, once faced with theworking world. This year our AUK interns continueto be excellent ambassadors for the university. Withoutexception, the contributions they have made to thebusinesses where they worked at, received complimentsand respect. Many have already been hired, whilstothers have a position waiting for them for when theygraduate. The internship faculty is exceptionally proudof this year’s student interns and congratulates them onthe honor they have brought to the university.10

AUKChronicleDr. Rizwan Ahmed, Assistant Professor ofEnglish at the American University of Kuwait, haspublished a paper titled “Scripting A New Identity: TheBattle For Devanagari in 19th Century India” in the Journalof Pragmatics Vol. 40 (2008) 1163-1183.In addition, Professor Ahmad presented a paper onApril 12th, 2008 at a symposium about Language andSociety (SALSA-XVI) held at the University of Texas atAustin. The paper is titled “Complex Indexicality of Urduin India”Dr. Simon O’Meara,Assistant Professor of the Historyof Art has been awarded“honorable mention” in theannual academic book prizeawarded by The British Societyfor Middle Eastern Studies(BRISMES) for his book,Space and Muslim Urban Life:At the Limits of the Labyrinthof Fez (London: Routledge,2007). The judges said: “Inthis short but packed bookSimon O’ Meara brings, in the words of the reviewer,‘a new depth and sophistication’ to the literature onthe Islamic city. In an examination showing intimateon-the-spot knowledge, he homes in on space ratherthan monuments to interpret pre-modern Fez not asa UNESCO World Heritage site but as a machine forliving. He assembles an impressive body of legal data toexplain the purpose of the many walls that subdivideFez, with far-reaching implications for the study ofother Islamic cities.”Information About The Prize:BRISMES administers the British-Kuwait FriendshipSociety Prize in Middle Eastern Studies. This wasfounded thanks to an endowment of the AbdullahMubarak Charitable Foundation. The prize is awardedfor the best scholarly work on the Middle East eachyear.”AUK Participates in theSaudi Janadriya FestivalDr. Lisa Urkevich, Assistant Professor of Music, and fiveAUK students were invited as distinguished guests ofthe Saudi government to participate in cultural researchduring the women’s days of the Saudi Janadriya Festival(March 17th-20th). The students, who are part of aclass that studies Arabian culture, excel academicallyand are noted for their dedication to Arabian Heritage;they were chosen from hundreds to receive this specialgrant.The annual Janadriya Heritage Festival is a two weekcultural event featuring artisans, food, costumes,wedding rituals, and traditional music and dance of theKingdom. The last few days of the festival are dedicatedexclusively to women. During this time, the AUKstudents were taken behind the scenes to interview thecraftspeople and artists and get a glimpse of traditionalcustoms rarely seen. Remote regions of Saudi Arabia,including the isolated mountains of Hijaz, wereespecially intriguing. As Journalism major ShomoukhAl-Mesaid recalled, “I was fascinated by so much richtradition that I had never seen before.”Students were especially pleased to meet many differentpeople from such a large country. Junior at AUK, DalalAl Sabah described her experience:“I not only had a chance to experience the differentcultures of Saudi Arabia, I also made a lot of friends fromthe various regions who added so many perspectivesand personalized the culture we were viewing.”Although before departing Kuwait, the students hadextensively studied Saudi culture, the experience ofbeing with the Saudi women and sharing their heritagewas invaluable.Shahed Al-Tammar noted that “attending the Janadriyafestival was truly a remarkable experience. It has revivedand strengthened my cultural heritage and ethnicbackground. I was honored to be among the chosenones, for this trip was a magnificent learning experienceabout the profound culture of our neighboring country,Saudi Arabia.”11

AUKChronicle“Janadriya was an enriching cultural exchangeextravaganza” added AUK senior Noufa Al-Sabah.Accounting major, Nada Al Yahia called it “a memorableexperience that took us back into exploring the wondersof ancient Saudi Arabia.”Dr. Urkevich was delighted by the success of the trip:“I am thrilled with all that our students learned duringthis Study Abroad class. We are fortunate to have suchgood friends in the Saudi Embassy and AmbassadorAbdul Aziz Alfayz and Dr. Saleh Al Sagri, who workedso hard to facilitate this visit. This Saudi-Kuwaiti unionis a great success, and I am proud of our students andthe way they represented AUK and Kuwait.”Cripps told us his opinion: “My contention is that thetolerant and spiritual nature of Sufism characterizedMelek’s treatment of Francis”. Because of this contactbetween Franciscans and Muslims, most of the archivesand libraries Professor Christopher intends on visitinghave documents relating to the Sufi movement duringthe thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.Professor Ohans’ specific field is the actual ‘FranciscanHistory’ and more specifically the movement’s influenceon late thirteenth and fourteenth century Italian art.This religious comparison will be a new direction forOhan and a very provocative one.Greetings from the Monastery in Rome: “Pax etBonum” translated as “Peace and Goodwill”!Dr. Christopher Ohan, Assistant Professorof History at the American University of Kuwait is oneof twelve participants working on an aspect relatedto Franciscan Studies. The specific research ProfessorOhan will be responsible for a comparative examinationof Franciscan and Sufi Spirituality in the thirteenth andfourteenth centuries. In fact,it is being run by a nationalEndowment for Humanities(US) Summer Seminar Grantcalled “St. Francis of Assisiand the Thirteenth Century”Over the course of sixweeks, the researchers willbe working in several majorFranciscan archives andlibraries in Rome, whereProfessor Ohan is currentlystaying for the course of thisproject. To be exact, ProfessorOhan is lodging at a monastery which holds the largestcollection of works related to the Franciscans: BiblotecaCentrale Cappuccini. The team will also travel to Sienaand work in the Archivio di Sato, Florence to work inthe Kunsthistorisches Institute and then finally to Assisiwhere the Franciscan Order maintains its archive at theSacro Convento. In addition to studying the written text,the evolution of religious iconography related to theFranciscans in the thirteenth century will be examinedin depth.On a historical note, St. Francis of Assisi did havecontacts with Sufis. In 1219-20 he met Melek Al-Kamil(the nephew of Saladin and a Sufi) in Damietta, Egypt.Despite the fact that many Franciscans who traveled toMuslim held lands were killed when they tried to preach,Melek spent several days in discussion with Francisbefore Francis was allowed to return to Italy. ProfessorNew ProfessionalsInstitute 2008, NewOrleansFatema Hayat, Coordinator of Student Activities(Student Life), was one of a few to receive a scholarshipand represent AUK at the 2008 New ProfessionalsInstitute at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.This prestigious honor came because of a nominationby Dr. Carol Ross to the NASPA Region III Team. TheNew Professionals Institute (NPI) is geared towardprofessionals who have been in the field for less thanfive years and graduate students getting ready for theirfirst full-time position. NPI offers the opportunity tomeet other new professionals, interact with veteranprofessionals, and gain knowledge about the field ofstudent affairs.Fatema Hayat had the great privilege to be amongst51 participants selected from various universities ofthe southern states of America to attend NPI. Other12

AUKChronicleattendees to NPI were 6 distinguished Vice Presidentsfor Student Affairs (VPSAs) whose roles as facultymembers and mentors facilitated more than fiveinformative workshop sessions and mentored smallerdiscussion groups.During the 5 day conference, the faculty membersinstructed all participants in areas such as life/workbalance, leadership, and supervision, budget and careerpaths. Other than developing knowledge in severalimportant areas of the profession, the sessions werealso filled with life lessons, exercises, activities andlaughs. Every evening, all groups would meet with theirmentor for discussions on the day’s activities and beable to talk about personal and professional concernsor ask for advice.Dr. Gage Paine, VPSA at the University of Texas atSan Antonio and Director of NPI, Dr. Brit Katz VPSAand Dean of Students at Millsaps College, DawnWatkins VPSA and Dean of Students at Washington &Lee University, Dr. Kevin Rome VPSA at MorehouseCollege, Dr. Mark J. Warner Senior VPSA at JamesMadison and Dr. Gene Zdziarski, II VPSA at Universityof Florida were the 7 incredible faculty members andmentors that enriched the professional and personal lifeof Fatema Hayat and all attendees. Their positive spirit,sense of humor and unselfishness made each session aunique experience for learning.NPI was a great experience where Fatema Hayat wasable to learn more about the field of Student Affairsfrom an amazing group of seasoned professionals andfrom new professionals like herself. It was a journey oflearning that will not be forgotten and the knowledgegain is one Fatema Hayat will bring back and use tofurther progress Student Affairs at AUK.13

AUKChroniclethe email service, data storage, and data backup.Mr. Hossam Omar, Senior IT Technical Support (ext.120), who follows-up on systems-related end-user issuesin addition to handling network-related problems.3) IT Database Unit:Mr. Hussein Diab, Database Administrator (ext. 122)– handles databases maintenance, monitors andoptimizes their performance and ensures their integrityand quality.Ms. Fatma Abou Talaf, System Information Analyst (ext.128) - assists the database administrator in addition toworking with the users to identify possible enhancementsto the system and developing customized modules,reports and applications. Fatma also handles the AUKPortal System Administration.By: MAHA KHLAT (Director, I.T. Department)User requests should be sent via email to:helpdesk@auk.edu.kwPhone inquiries should be directed to ext(s): 132,129After office hours, IT staff on duty may be reachedon the IT mobile phone: (+965) 6399892MEET THE I.T. STAFF:The IT department is headed by Ms. Maha Khlat (ext.266) is divided into the following specialized units:1) IT Technical Support Unit:Headed by Ms. Zeina Itani, IT Support Unit Administrator(ext. 132), the unit handles end-user support, H/W andS/W troubleshooting, software deployment, supervisionand follow-up on helpdesk requests and follow-up withsuppliers regarding repairs and maintenance issues.Mr. Nabegh Al Thalji, IT Application Developer (ext.133) - performs a variety of programming and dataprocessing requirements. Nabegh develops, maintainsand modifies programs, scripts and queries as per therequirements of the various departments4) IT Multimedia Unit:Mr. Nezam Hamzeh, Multimedia Applications Expert(ext. 464) – handles the management of all multimediaresources (H/W & S/W), provides assistance as requiredto faculty members and staff in developing professionalpresentations utilizing multimedia tools.Mr. Munawwar Al Mullaji, Multimedia EquipmentTechnician (ext. 467) – who has also joined AUK in July2008. Munawwar maintains multimedia equipment andtroubleshoots any related issues.The multimedia unit also provides support to events oncampus with regards to monitoring the functioning ofaudio and video systems.Office management and administrative assistance areprovided Ms. Carla Saliba (ext. 129)The IT technical support team consists of:• Mr. Mohammed Mahussain (ext. 125)• Mr. Ali Asghar Kutbuddin (ext. 110)• Mr. Ali Akbar Bedawala (ext. 126)2) IT Systems Unit:Mr. Jean Barakat, System Administrator (ext. 225), hasrecently joined AUK in July 2008. Jean handles theconfiguration, implementation, and maintenance of theIT systems infrastructure, servers and services such as14

AUKChronicleJUNE 2008HUMAN RESOURCES NEWSMagdalene Al-Neaman,Administrative Assistant,Division of Sciences &EngineeringNEW STAFF & FACULTYHania Mahassen,Assistant Professorof Math, Divisionof Sciences andEngineeringSharon Lawrence,Assistant Professor StudioArts, Division ofHumanities and ArtsJULY 2008AUGUST 2008Munawar Mullaji,Multimedia Equip. Technician,IT Dept.James Smalley, RegistrarConsultant, Office of theRegistrarJean Barakat, IT SystemsAdministrator, IT Dept.Suzan Ghattas, RegistrarCoordinator (TranscriptEvaluator), Office of theRegistrarMohammed Da’na,Registrar Coordinator (StudentReg. Services), Office of theRegistrarTebyan Al-Nawasreh,Academic Support Specialist,Student Success CenterDamian Medina, Directorof Student Life, Office ofStudent LifeFaten Al-Kadri, ExecutiveAssistant, Exec. Director ofFinance & AdministrationMohammed HanasCader, Assistant Professorof Economics, Division ofBusiness and EconomicsSaad Al-Omari,Assistant Professor ofEnvironmental Studies,Division of Sciences andEngineering.Andrew Johnson,Instructor, IntensiveEnglish ProgramYvonne Johnson,Instructor, IntensiveEnglish ProgramAndrei Zavaliy, AssistantProfessor of Philosophy,Division of Humanitiesand ArtsGholamrezaVatandoust, VisitingAssociation Professorof History, Division ofSocial SciencesAhlam MohammedAlaki, Assistant ProfessorEnglish, Division ofHumanities and ArtsNaser Al-Khaliedi,Assistant Professor ofAccounting, Division ofBusiness and EconomicsMarisa Tessier,Instructor, IntensiveEnglish ProgramSEPTEMBER 2008Seyed Hossein Shahidi,Assistant Professor ofJournalism, Division ofHumanities and ArtsWilliam Andersen,Assistant Professor StudioArts/Graphic Design,Division of Humanitiesand ArtsRobert J. Ritchie,Visiting Associate Professorof Business Law &Finance, Division ofBusiness and EconomicsHala Al-Abdulrazzaq,Academic Advisor, StudentSuccess CenterAlidad Affrassiabi,Teaching Assistant,Division of SciencesAngie Ibrahim, HRSpecialist (Recruitment& Training), HumanResources Dept.Malini Mittal, AdjunctInstructor, Division ofSocial SciencesHadeer Mathews,Administrative Assistant,Division of Humanities& Arts15

AUKChronicleJUNE 2008PROMOTIONSAmer Al-Assaad, Senior Publications Planning &Design, PR & Marketing Dept.Eman Kamel, Senior Admissions Counselor, Office ofAdmissionsINTERNAL TRANSFERSJULY 2008Mishaal Hamdo (HR Residential Services & Design,Human Resources Dept.AUGUST 2008Dalal Al Hubail, Customer Service Representative,Center for Continuing EducationSEPTEMBER 2008Waheeda Mohamed, Counselor (Full Time), StudentSuccess CenterNEW APPOINTMENTSJUNE 2008James McDougall, Program Coordinator, The WritingCenterCraig Loomis, Division Head, Division ofHumanities and Arts,AUGUST 2008Maryam Hossienia, Assistant Professor Graphic Design,Division of Humanities and ArtsJUNE 2008TITLE CHANGEAshoor Moussa, Senior HR Assistant, HumanResources Dept.Pareen Tajani, Operations and Services Coordinator,Center for Continuing EducationCalendar of EventsOCTOBER 20081-4 W-Sa Eid Al-Fitr starts. University closed5 Su Class ResumeNOVEMBER 200812 W Last day of 1st Block13 Th Midterm grades for Fall semester courses due via AUK Self Service by 11:59 PM16 Su Midterm grades for Fall semester courses a vailable to students via AUK Self-Serviceeffective 12:01 PM16 Su 2nd Block courses begins1st Block final grades due via AUK Self Service by 11:59 PM17 M 1st Block final grades available to students via AUK Self-Service effective 12:00 PM20 Th 2nd Block Drop/Add deadlineEDITOR’S Notes...Dear colleagues,Please email all future submissions for subsequent issues of the AUKChronicle to fkhamis@auk.edu.kw.An archive of past issues of the AUKChronicle is available on the university website (http://www.auk.edu.kw/about_auk/uni_publications) and the MyAUK (university portal).While every effort was made to ensure that all content is accurate and up-to-date, some information may have changed between the content submissions and the publishing of this issue.16