SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals

participating in cross-sectoral dialogue about the sdg's

Students from the College of Engineering and Technology at the American University of the Middle East (AUM) achieved an unprecedented reginal record in the 15th edition of the “RobotChallenge” competition held at the Beijing University of Science and Technology in China from 10 to 12 August 2018. This competition is organized annually by the Austrian Society for Innovative Computer Sciences (INNOC) in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science.

“RobotChallenge” is an international platform that promotes the exchange of ideas and innovations among participants and experts. It aims to encourage new talents to develop their abilities in science and research, by working in the fields of informatics, electronics, mechanics and artificial intelligence.

The event brought together 2288 participants from 223 institutions, including universities from 30 different countries such as the United States of America, Germany, France, Austria, China, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Russia, Korea, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The contestants set up 1478 robots to compete before a judicial panel including 445 referees.

The American University of the Middle East was represented by students: Rand Younis (Computer Engineering), Razan Al Far (Computer Engineering), Mohammad Baalbaki (Electrical Engineering), Alaa AlHarbi (Electrical Engineering), Badreyah Farhan (Electrical Engineering), Ahmed Moustafa (Mechanical Engineering) and Mahdi AlFaraj (mechanical engineering), who competed in 11 challenges, under the supervision of their professors Dr. Samer Alkork, Dr. Sherif Said and Dr. Mohammad Abdolmaleki.

AUM students won the gold and bronze medals in the “Remote Air Race”, which involved 22 teams from China, Korea, Poland, Thailand, Latvia, Mexico and Kuwait. The students also won the silver medal in the “Autonomous Drone” competition in which 8 teams from Germany, China, and Kuwait competed, and the silver medal in the “Line Follower Adult” competition in which 12 teams from China, Egypt and Kuwait competed.

By winning a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal in this competition, AUM students set a new regional record that was never achieved before by any institution from the GCC and Mena region since the launch of “RobotChallenge” competition in 2004.

Students from the American University of the Middle East (AUM) marked a new achievement during their participation in the 8th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management held in Indonesia.

AUM Industrial Engineering students participated in three competitions and won the first place in each one.

AUM students win over peers from more than 200 universities

Academics, researchers and practitioners from different industries took part in the conference which included more than 450 research papers and projects submitted by more than 200 universities from 60 countries such as: the University of Michigan and Lawrence Technological University – USA, University of Derby and Cranfield University – UK, University of Waterloo – Canada, University of Technology (UTM) – Malaysia, Lorraine University – France, Tsinghua University – China, The University of Tokyo – Japan, Massey University – New Zealand, Universidad de Monterrey- Mexico, Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) – India, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) – Indonesia, University of Johannesburg – South Africa, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals – KSA, and Qatar University.

This international conference is a platform where participants can exchange ideas and discuss recent developments in sciences. The conference is also meant to foster networking, collaboration and joint efforts among conference participants to advance the theory and practice in the field as well as identify major trends in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.

AUM students win at IEOM for the second consecutive year

Nourhan Hasan, Yasmeen Shebeeb, Lina Hamdan, Samar Qurtom, and Afnan Hamadah presented their Simulation of Patient Flow and Healthcare Resources in a Hospital project, in the Simulation and PLM competition, and won first place.

Students Alaa Al-Shammari, Zahraa Kamal, Sahar Redha, Shahad Hussain, and Tuleen Nazzal also won first place with their Quality Improvement in Plastic Injection Molding Industry: Applying Lean Six Sigma to SME in Kuwait project in the Undergraduate Research competition.

As the Senior Capstone Design Poster competition, students Danah Abbas, Maryam Khajah, Maryam Al Ajami, Marwah Ashkanani, and Fatemah Bou Jaber won first place with their project titled: Developing a Decision Support System for University/ College Selection Problem for Kuwait.

AUM students won for the second year in a row as their participation in the IEOM conference last year in Morocco was also marked by similar achievements.

A group of innovative students from the American University of Kuwait (AUM) has achieved a remarkable feat by creating a smart robot designed to detect oil leaks. This cutting-edge project showcases the university's commitment to fostering technological advancement and addressing real-world challenges.

The smart robot, developed by these talented students, is a testament to AUM's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and practical application. By combining their expertise in engineering, robotics, and environmental sciences, the students have crafted a solution that has the potential to significantly impact the oil industry's environmental footprint.

The robot's ability to detect oil leaks efficiently and accurately is a promising step toward preventing environmental disasters and safeguarding precious ecosystems. This accomplishment not only showcases the students' technical skills but also highlights AUM's dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

The creation of the smart robot underscores AUM's role as a hub of creativity and innovation, where students are empowered to think beyond traditional boundaries and contribute meaningfully to global challenges. This remarkable achievement stands as a shining example of how education can drive positive change and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

The American University of the Middle East became a full member in CMS at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on June 28, 2019, after receiving an overwhelming vote at the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Collaboration Board at the CERN council in Geneva, Switzerland.

 AUM is the first institution in Kuwait and the Gulf region to become a full member of CMS. This new milestone will benefit not only the faculty members and students of AUM, but also the Kuwait and GCC community at large.

CERN is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory and one of the most respected centers for scientific research. It is located on the border between Switzerland and France and has two main research sites: Meyrin on the Swiss side and Prevessin on the French side.

The main CERN research activities are centered around the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) and two particle detection facilities, CMS and ATLAS. Both CMS and ATLAS announced in 2012 the discovery of the Higgs Boson predicted by Peter Higgs and François Englert in 1964. The two scientists were awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics.

CMS will carry out a new exciting research program after finalizing the general upgrade, in which AUM is currently involved, and will restart in 2020. Dr. Yasser Maghrbi, Assistant Professor at AUM’s College of Engineering and Technology, is participating in the research activities.

This full membership will allow AUM faculty members and students to benefit from the scientific innovations and technical expertise provided by CERN, to implement advanced scientific research projects that contribute to developments in the fields of science and engineering and technology for the benefit of the Kuwaiti society.


In 2019, AUM has initiated an official research collaboration with the University Seville (Spain).

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) held an on campus recruitment session organized by Tawteen Career Development and Recruitment Center in collaboration with “Ooredoo” Telecommunication Company, for AUM students seeking internships and employment opportunities.

The session focused on the values that can help students build on their competencies and contribute to a positive environment at the workplace. Ooredoo’s representative gave students resumé writing and job interview advice that can help them highlight their skills and have the confidence needed in answering interview questions.

The session is one of a series of seminars through which AUM aims to establish a link between students and potential employers, give soon to be graduates an idea of what to expect in their professional life, and increase their access to jobs that meet their ambitions.

Through these sessions, AUM seeks to consolidate its educational philosophy by encouraging students to develop knowledge beyond education and improve their skills and confidence so they can be socially and professionally responsible.

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) has concluded an institutional affiliation agreement with Babson College, which is one of the most influential colleges in the world in the field of Entrepreneurship.

Under this agreement, AUM became a member of the Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education (The Collaborative), making it the first university in Kuwait to join this prestigious collaborative.

Thirty Educational Institutions from all over the world joining forces

Universities and colleges seeking to increase their capability and capacity in entrepreneurship education join forces under the Collaborative with a common belief that institutions acting together will achieve more than each working alone towards its entrepreneurial goals.

 There are multiple benefits for the institutions that join the Babson Collaborative, among them are the following: faculty development through various trainings activities to stay at the forefront of entrepreneurship education and develop the ability to teach entrepreneurship using experiential and practice-based methods, affiliation and networking, student engagement opportunities, an exclusive online community, webinars, and an annual global summit.

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at AUM

This new membership brings AUM one step closer in its efforts toward building its entrepreneurship education ecosystem through a wide range of initiatives available at the university such as the Engineering and Business Capstone Centers, the Business Consulting Center, and the Entrepreneurship Club.

The Entrepreneurship Club, conducting its activities within the Business Consulting Center, provides an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, where students cultivate their leadership skills through different events and activities. Students in the club participate in the development of a business, work on a business plan, and ideally implement their start-up. The Club helps its members in order to discover “the work that they were born to do” and become inspired entrepreneurs.

 The Business Consulting Center at AUM aims at strengthening the entrepreneurship potential of students and alumni by providing consulting support for student projects in terms of generating, evaluating, and implementing students’ viable business ideas that had been identified in various courses at the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Technology. The Center offers its services for both existing students and alumni.

Industrial Engineering Students from the American University of the Middle East won four competitions during their participation in the second 2nd IEOM European Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, held at the IESEG’s Paris Campus, France on 26th and 27th of July 2018.

The conference was organized by IEOM Society International, in collaboration with the African Engineering Education (AEES), the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) and the Society of Cost and Quality Engineers (SCQE).

Academics, researchers and practitioners from different industries took part in the conference which included more than 400 research papers and projects submitted by multiple universities from 60 countries such as USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.

The Conference aims at providing a platform for academics, researchers, scientists and practitioners to exchange ideas and to bridge the gap between the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management theory and its application in solving the most current problems and challenges faced by organizations.

More than ten universities participated in the competitions designed for students such as: University of Monterrey in Mexico, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Indonesia, University of Santiago in Columbia, University of Eyvanekey in Iran, Qatar University, and the American University of the Middle East in Kuwait.

Students Danah Ahmad and Sarah Hashem from the American University of the Middle East presented their “Digital Human Modelling and Simulation to Correct Work Postures in Dentistry” project, in the Simulation and PLM competition, and won the first place.

AUM student Shekha AlBeaijan secured the first place in the Undergraduate Research competition, presenting her “Dynamic Programming Approach to Unit Commitment Problem for Kuwait Power Generations” project.

In the Undergraduate posters competition, students Rawan Al-shatti and Layali Al-Dhefeeri won the first place due to their project: “Improvement of Diabetes Awareness: Applying Six Sigma to Increase Teachers Awareness Regarding Diabetic Children in Primary Schools in Kuwait”.

As for the Undergraduate Student Paper Competition, students Dalal Al-Attal, Nourah AlBaghli and Sarah Al-Awadh presented their project “Redesigning a Retail Store Based on Association Rule Mining” and came in the third place.

Industrial Engineering students from the American University of the Middle East have also participated this year in several competitions during the 8th International IEOM Conference held in Indonesia, winning the first place in each.

Students visit to Ibn Sina hospital

Within efforts to shape a generation of active citizens, the American University of the Middle East (AUM) organized a visit for its students to the pediatrics surgery department at “Ibn Sina” hospital in Kuwait City.

During the visit, AUM students expressed their support for children, playing with them and presenting them with gifts, as well as wishing them a speedy recovery.

Following the visit, Student Bibi AlGhanim, from the College of Engineering and Technology said that her best memory of this experience will be the joy manifested on the faces of children and their families upon receiving their student guests. She added: “our university has an essential and effective role in inspiring us to become socially responsible individuals in our society and country. This culture is instilled through activities similar to this one, which aim to motivate us towards taking more initiatives to give back to our community”.

Students from the American University of the Middle East (AUM) won first places during their participation in the 9th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM), held in Bangkok, Thailand from 5 till 7 March 2019.

The conference was organized by IEOM Society International, in collaboration with the African Engineering Education Association (AEEA), the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) and the Society of Cost and Quality Engineers (SCQE), the Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering (IIIE), the Pakistan Society of Industrial Engineers (PSIE), and BKSTI: Agency for Cooperation of Higher Education of Industrial Engineering in Indonesia.

AUM Industrial Engineering students competed in five competitions and won four first places and one-second place.

Students Ghalyah AlMutairi, Fatemah Mhaisen, Rawan AlHumaidi, Mariam AlAjran, and Hawraa AlBather presented their “Developing Green Supply Chains for New Kuwait: A Strategic Approach” project, in the Supply Chain competition, and won the first place.

In the Senior Capstone Design Poster competition, students Nour AlEnezi, Noor Khourshed, Dalal AlBeshaier, Sharifah AlKandari, and Rawan AlElaj won the first place on their project about “Expanding Central Craft Company”.

AUM students Fatemah AlKhozam, Rahaf AlAjmi, Shareefah Haji, Hebah AlEnezi and Muneerah AlMetlaqem also secured the first place in the Simulation competition, presenting their “Improving the Fabrication and Welding Workshop at Oil Company for Better Worker Performance by Using Digital Human Modeling and Simulation” project.

As for the Undergraduate Student Paper Competition, students Bader AlMutawa, Ali Issawy, Osama Ahmad, Samer El Khatib, and Abdullah AlHaj Hasan presented their project about “Using SPC & EPC Unified Framework to Improve Production Disruptions in Manufacturing Industry” and came in the first place.

Furthermore, students Nojoud AlMutairi, Fay AlDallal, Masturah AlRasheedi, Sarah AlShadad, and Muneerah AlShadad won the second place in the Undergraduate Research competition on their “Developing a Mobile Application for safety Engineers for Detailed Hazard analysis” project.

Professor Don Reimer, Director at IEOM Society International, highlighted the importance of IEOM conference, which provides students from around the world with an opportunity to engage in real life situations in the industrial engineering field and be part of it through their innovative projects and ideas. In addition, IEOM conference helps students strengthen several skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork in a real competitive environment different from classroom experiences.

He added that students at IEOM are competing globally because they are able to offer diverse ideas from different communities and societies around the world. He also pointed out that this year IEOM conference includes more than 450 paper that have been accepted out of 700 paper submitted by universities from 60 countries around the world such as: USA, UK, China, Japan, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Mexico, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Portugal, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, KSA, UAE and Kuwait.

Reimer commented on AUM students’ win praising their commitment and hard work, pointing out that their preparations reflected a high academic level, and allowed them to compete and surpass other teams.

He concluded: “AUM faculty and students’ work is excellent and we encourage them to continue progressing and acquire more skills that will help them win any competition”.