AUS Puts Student and Alumni Founders on Show in Sharjah

American University of Sharjah packed student- and alumni-built ventures into seven themed exhibition zones during the UAE's Higher Education Entrepreneurship Week, a two-day, government-backed program held recently on campus.

The AUS Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) organized the event under the theme "AUS Founders, AUS Future," in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. The participating founders spanned every stage: some launched their ventures while still studying at AUS, others after graduation.

The week is a joint initiative of the two ministries, implemented with universities across the UAE. Its stated goals: build an entrepreneurial culture among students and alumni, strengthen universities' role as sources of business ideas, and support the UAE's ambition to become a global capital for entrepreneurship.

What did the event actually include?

The program opened with remarks from a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and AUS leadership, followed by a leadership and VIP walkthrough of the exhibition. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism delivered an intellectual property awareness session.

Day two carried the substance:

• Three success-story sessions, where founders shared experience in creative, media and marketing; tech platforms and digital builders; and luxury and experience brands.
• Three knowledge-exchange forum sessions covering faith, culture and heritage; design, spaces and the built environment; and the journey from an idea to a first customer.

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) supported the event, connecting the university initiative to Sharjah's wider entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, the AUS School of Business Administration and the Entrepreneurship Club also backed the program.

Who said what?

Dr. Jay Squalli, Professor of Economics and Director of CEI, framed universities as economic engines. "Universities have a strategic role in connecting knowledge with economic opportunity," he said, adding that the event "showcases and supports the businesses" student and alumni entrepreneurs have built. He said CEI aims to help "promising ideas become viable ventures that contribute to the UAE's long-term development."

Dr. Mariam Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, Director of the Employment Support and Labor Market Partnerships Department at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, called the week an opportunity to empower students and graduates to turn ideas into ventures with "sustainable economic and social impact." She described entrepreneurship as an outcome of the higher education system.

"This initiative reflects our belief that universities are not merely institutions that award academic degrees; they have become hubs for generating ideas, developing innovative solutions and preparing talent capable of contributing to a competitive, knowledge- and innovation-driven economy," she said.

Khaled Kalbat, Director of the Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Enterprise Development Department at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said collaboration with academic institutions such as AUS "serves as a vital pillar for fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation in the country."

Which founders showed up?

Among the alumni founders was Hadeel Nassar, founder and partner at AddValueHub, an AUS alumna and former employee. The platform offers expert-led online courses and professional coaching for individuals and organizations, covering budgeting, automation, risk assessment, auditing, compliance and communication. Nassar holds two AUS master's degrees: an MA in Translation (English/Arabic/English) and an MSc in Accounting.

"The event was an exceptional platform to showcase our mission of transforming knowledge into measurable results through flexible remote learning and professional coaching," Nassar said. "Proud to be part of a community driving innovation and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs."

Why does AUS matter here?

CEI sits inside a research network that works on priorities ranging from environmental sustainability and biomedical innovation to advanced technologies and cultural studies. The center combines practical entrepreneurship programs with mentorship and partnerships aimed at venture development.

The university itself has scale: founded in 1997 by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, AUS ranks in the top 3 percent of Arab-region universities (QS Arab Region University Rankings, 2026) and the top 17 percent globally (QS World University Rankings, 2027). It runs 33 undergraduate majors, 49 minors, 24 master's programs and eight PhD programs across four academic units, and hosts students from over 100 nationalities.

With two ministries, Sheraa and CEI now aligned around campus founders, the question is whether this year's showcase converts into funded ventures — the outcome Squalli says the center exists to deliver.