Sharjah, UAE., February 2, 2024 – Strengthening collaboration in international studies, global governance and transnational diplomacy, American University of Sharjah signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA), Waterloo, Canada, on February 1 on the AUS campus.
As part of the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate in research, development and initiatives that provide students with dynamic international academic and experiential learning opportunities. It aims to facilitate discussions on potential joint degree programs in areas of mutual interests; cooperate in organizing mutual events such as workshops, symposiums, short-term executive courses on specific topics, seminars and conferences; seek and research collaboration opportunities that include faculty exchange and joint research projects with focus on the GCC; and explore other areas of collaboration as they arise.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of BSIA.
Present at the signing ceremony were His Excellency Radha Krishna Panday, Ambassador of Canada to the United Arab Emirates; Dr. Mohamad El-Tarhuni, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer at AUS; Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at AUS; and senior officials from both institutions.
“The collaboration agreement with BSIA is a significant step towards enriching the educational experience for our students, particularly those majoring in international studies at the graduate and undergraduate levels in our College of Arts and Sciences. This strategic partnership opens doors to expanded resources and diverse perspectives. Our commitment to our students is clear: to provide a comprehensive learning environment that equips them with the skills and insights needed to navigate the complexities of the global landscape effectively,” said Dr. Laursen.
The BSIA The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is an institute for advanced research, education, and outreach in the fields of global governance and international public policy. The School is an equal collaboration among the Centre for International Governance Innovation, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. It is also an affiliate member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
“I am delighted to be in Sharjah representing the BSIA on this important day, which celebrates and strengthens our partnership with AUS. With both institutions focused on future-orientated approaches towards the study of international affairs, and relevant public policy and governance frameworks within this domain, we look forward to collaborating on research and teaching strengths to create innovative and impactful outcomes,” said Dr. Fitz-Gerald.
The AUS College of Arts and Sciences offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in international studies that adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from history, political science, sociology, anthropology and philosophy. The broad-based programs enable students to gain a deep understanding of complex global challenges, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to the intricacies of international diplomacy and social and economic currents. The programs aim to cultivate globally conscious citizens, prepared to adapt in a swiftly changing world.
To learn more about the international studies programs at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/cas/department-of-international-studies.
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About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan articulated his vision of a distinctive institution against the backdrop of Islamic history and in the context of the aspirations and needs of contemporary society in the UAE and the Gulf region.
Firmly grounded in principles of meritocracy and with a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the very best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognized by employers the world over for creating graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and drive to lead in the 21st century.
AUS values learners not driven only by academic success, but by those that embrace our dynamic campus life and embody our ideals of openness, tolerance and respect. This combination of academic excellence and community spirit ensures AUS is filled with world-class faculty and students, poised to become the innovators, thinkers, contributors and leaders of tomorrow.
About BSIA
The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) sits at the centre of the intellectual square mile of the city of Waterloo, Canada, the country’s technology and innovation capital and home of the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The BSIA offers graduate programs in international public policy and global governance through the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. It is also home to internationally renowned research centres including the International Migration Research Centre (IMRC), and the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (LCSFS).
In 2023, the BSIA launched its Technology Governance Initiative, a large program which seeks to provide faculty and students with the opportunity to engage in research and teaching addressing the “technology-governance’ nexus and more closely examining, and problem solving around, the impact of emerging transformative technologies on society. Supporting this technology-embracing approach to the delivery of international affairs is the BSIA’s Technology Governance Case Study series, and its own peer-reviewed journal called the Balsillie Papers, which provides clear and concise articles about today’s most complex issues in international affairs. In April 2021, the BSIA also launched the Balsillie Executive Institute (BEI), offering certificate-based professional development short courses to those interested in enhancing their skills and remaining abreast of current sector-relevant thinking, without a commitment to full-time education.