SDG 4: Quality Education
4.3.1 Public Resources (Lifelong Learning)
The Library merges high-tech facilities and equipment with modern design and provides a large academic collection of print and electronic resources.
The Library provides a welcoming and well-managed facility that encourages research and dissemination of scholarly information and ideas. It also provides information resources and services to support the instructional programs and educational goals of the university.
To achieve these goals, the Library provides a rich collection of print and electronic resources with a strong focus on course-related information literacy and reference support. The book collection contains both print and e-books in areas relating to programs offered at AUM. The Library has an expansive number of online databases for research with on-campus & off-campus access.
Mission
To provide the AUM academic community with the world caliber high-quality academic resources in both print and digital formats to facilitate the learning and research within the institution and offer the innovative services to support lifelong learning experience along with stimulation of intellectual curiosity.
Objectives
To select, acquire, organize and maintain learning resources and information resources.
To provide intellectual and physical access to Library resources and expert assistance.
To assist students, faculty and staff to access list of resources and retrieve information effectively.
To support a functional and welcoming physical space for collections, study areas and services for students and staff.
To provide a range of books, periodicals, e-resources, and other media at appropriate levels to meet the needs of the Institute.
To establish state of art resources and facilities by responding to academic and research needs.
To provide innovative, responsive, and effective services, to meet the changing needs of the faculty and student body.
Working Hours
The Library is open from Sunday through Thursday from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. Library hours are adjusted during Midterm and Final Exams periods and during Ramadan. These changes are posted on Moodle. The library is closed on Public and University holidays throughout the year.
Library Support
The Library staff is available to answer questions or provide assistance to faculty, students and staff via the Help Desk or by Email: Library.Support@aum.edu.kw
Resources
The Library has its own single gateway to access all Library resources and services from one point. Most of these resources are online and can be accessed on and off- campus.
Circulation Service: Our circulation service provides issue/return/renewal/ reservation services for students to ensure they make the most of the library resources. We also give ready reference services to its users
Book Section: Contains over 10,000 printed books, in all subject areas offered by the university, out of which over 2000 books are in the field of mathematics, engineering and technology, as well as the Reference collection
Periodicals: Library has its own subscriptions of more than 41 printed peer reviewed journals/magazines, which users can use to access current news updates, scholarly research articles, and other forms of periodicals. A Majority of these subscriptions are also available electronically
E-Resources: The library is subscribed to up to 60 academic databases and digital resources, which are listed on the library website individually or in collections. The majority of these resources are databases for academic publications, giving full-text access to over 85,000 Journals and Conference Proceedings. Some databases are dedicated to e-books and reference materials, providing close to 450,000 titles for online reading and article/chapter download. 10 of the databases are for citations and abstracts with over 100 million aggregated records covering a variety of research fields. Remaining digital resources include 3 video databases with over 100,000 video titles providing searchable transcripts and a number of databases best described as research tools offering a mixed variety of teaching and research utilities. In the field of engineering, the library subscribes to the most relevant resources such as: IEEE proceedings, books and journals, Compendex – Engineering Village, Knovel, Science Direct, and Springer Link as well as American Chemical Society (ACS) publications and ESDU engineering standards.
Computer Lab: Our well-equipped computer lab provides students with access to all online resources subscribed to by the Library. The Library is equipped with over 180 computers that are freely accessible for the patrons to access all subscribed online resources
OPAC: Patrons can search for AUM Library resources such as books, journals and other resources through the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) on the AUM Library website. AUM Library online public access catalog allows patrons to check availability status of library resources, including books and journals and provides them with personal accounts where they can overview the items they have checked out and the overdue items.
Services
1. Circulation
The Library aims to support the research and learning experience through providing accessible print resources through a dedicated circulation policy available on the library website.
2. Interactive Facilities
Video walls, which may be connected to or separated from the touch table facing it. When connected, the content on the touch table gets mirrored on the video wall. It has been used to show students’ academic activities and students’ graduation ceremony.
Touch tables, which may be used separately or connected to the video wall. When disconnected, it may be used for group study/ research of online content and databases and several educational games.
Interactive (touch)/marketing screens: screens found in the hallway. Interactive touch screens for marketing and advertising purposes such as workshops, events, competitions, student affairs announcements, internships …etc.
Touch tablets: are found on the study rooms door for on spot room booking, or accessing room after booking, etc.
Access control system/Tablets: used for students to swipe their card for the study room doors to open.
Self-check kiosks: found near the library exit for students to check out, check in and renew their borrowed books.
Collaborative Space: The library has four collaborative spaces that can house up to 8 people for interactive and collaborative work
3. Cinema
One of the available facilities at Library is the high-tech Cinema. This is an HD Cinema with high-quality equipment and around 100 movie theater seats which offers the full experience of watching a movie at a cinema.
· The Library conducts open-reservation sessions two days a week. These movie sessions follow a specific inspirational or motivational theme every semester in a variety of genres, such as action, drama, and sports.
· The faculty can also request a session at the Cinema to show a particular educational movie from AUM’s online databases, where students can enjoy the clarity of the visuals as well as the full-surround sound system.
One of the available facilities at Library is the high-tech Cinema. This is an HD Cinema with high-quality equipment and around 100 movie theater seats which offers the full experience of watching a movie at a cinema.
· The Library conducts open-reservation sessions two days a week. These movie sessions follow a specific inspirational or motivational theme every semester in a variety of genres, such as action, drama, and sports.
· The faculty can also request a session at the Cinema to show a particular educational movie from AUM’s online databases, where students can enjoy the clarity of the visuals as well as the full-surround sound system.
4. Study Room Reservation
The Library has 18 fully equipped individual group study rooms.
Each study room is accessed via a room booking system that the students may access on the library website to book a room.
The doors have access control where the student who reserved the room may swipe his/her student ID for the doors to open.
Study rooms may accommodate up to 6 students.
Each room in the loud zone is equipped with interactive touch screens.
5. E-Learning Zones
The AUM Hi-Tech library has 4 E-learning zones, equipped with 180 all-in-one touchscreen computers for students to access all electronic resources available through the library and the E-learning courses.
6. Individual Study Spaces
The Library provides individual study spaces that can accommodate a big number of students. In addition to this, the library also has 28 fully connected high-tech individual study cubicles.
7. Off-Campus Access
The university uses a proxy service so that students, faculty and staff can access online resources such as the catalog, databases, and e-learning platform from outside the campus. This service involves students signing in with their university credentials, which allows them to be recognized by providers as AUM members and allowed off-campus access.
Online literature references
Oxford Link
bartleby.com Link
Infobase Link
Library literature subscribes
Proquest literature on line Link
Credo Link
Databases Dictionaries
Dictionary of Business Link
Dictionary of Science and Technology Link
Dictionary of Financial Engineering Link
The Penguin English Dictionary Link
English dictionary free of charge
Marriam webster Link
The free dictionary Link
Dictionary.com Link
Cambridge dictionary Link
The library is subscribed to many academic databases and digital resources, which are listed on the library website individually or in collections.
Some of the databases/ descriptions:
Through AUM’s partnership with Softskills, the university offers students, faculty, and staff an exclusive access to over 7,000 soft skills world-class video courses. This platform allows students to create their own learning plans and set their self-development goals.
AUM E-Learning provides students with a flexible and effective learning environment, with a wealth of functionalities and tools a click away.
Courses offered at AUM E-Learning Portal:
Business skills courseware
Desktop skills courseware
IT courseware
Navigating the Site: What are the main navigation options available?
Course Catalogue: All available courses are listed. Students can select and add courses to their Learning Plan from the Course Catalogue.
My Learning Plan: This is where students can see a list of their active courses and launch their chosen course.
My Training Report: Details of student training progress can be viewed including access details, duration and scores.
AUM provides free access to Soft Skills platform to its students, alumni, faculty, staff and students of the American College of the Middle East.
AUM Soft Skills E-courses platform provides the opportunity to engage in self-paced e-courses that will upgrade their skills.
Through AUM’s partnership with Softskills, the university offers exclusive access to over 7,000+ soft skills world-class video courses. This platform allows learners’ to create their own learning plans and set their self-development goals in various topics. The 7,000+ courses fall under important curriculum topics that are grouped per solution areas under three main categories: Business, Productivity and IT:
As part of their education at AUM and within the general education requirements, all AUM students take at least one or many courses dedicated for promoting good health and well-being.
An elite venue designed for hosting conferences, conventions, meetings and various events.
The Cultural Center at the American University of the Middle East (AUM) is an elite venue designed for hosting conferences, conventions, meetings and various events. Our theatres and facilities are designed according to the best in practice standards in order to provide a special event experience.
With a state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, live translation rooms and more, the Cultural Center is your ultimate destination for successful events in Kuwait.
House Theatre is the crown jewel of our facility. The Opera House boasts a 1200 seater theatre overlooking a large stage with hydraulic pits matching global theatrical set ups for orchestral shows.
The Conference Hall Theatre is our modernly designed venue for conferences and events With a fixed theatre stage, 450 seats, fully equipped sound and light system as well as live translation rooms, the Conference Hall Theatre is the comprehensive venue for your meetings, conferences, and multi-purpose events. Booking the Conference Hall Theatre for your event will additionally provide you with extra facilities such as the in-house technical team service and a private entrance for VIP guests all being utilized to meet and exceed your needs.
The Robotics Research Center aims to broaden students’ knowledge and hone their technical skills in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. The Center offers a wide range of research and educational programs with an interdisciplinary nature; targeting both fundamental and advanced robotic systems.
The Center contributes to the advancement of robotics systems and their underlying technology components through a student-centered approach to research and learning.
The Center focuses on developing the skills of AUM undergraduate engineering students by introducing them to the joy of robotics, while promoting hard work, dedication, and teamwork. In addition to competing in local and international competitions, the Center’s primary research focus is in the area of Artificial Intelligence and Humanoid Robot, Mobile Robots, Wearable Technologies, Autonomous Systems, and Aerial Robotics. The Robotics Center spans over an area of 3000 square meters, with the objective of supporting the development of fundamental research in robotics and mechatronics, while collaborating with top international research centers and engineering firms in a rapidly developing field. The center bridges the gap between students’ graduation and research projects with the local industry, aiming to render the students’ project amenable to solving real world problems. The center consists of five main areas: Robotics Club and Aerial Drone Lab, Motion Capture Lab, Humanoid & Artificial Intelligence Research Lab, and Fabrication Lab
The nanotechnology center aims to promote the nanotechnology education for our students and the Kuwait community. The center is planned to be a teaching and research facility providing our students and faculty members with a practical insight into nanoscience and nano-engineering.
The Nanotechnology Center is a recent development at the American University of the Middle East (AUM), which promotes learning and research in micro- and nano- technology disciplines. AUM has committed itself to educating its students in the practical aspects of this field, providing both students and faculty with research opportunities.
Currently, the AUM Nanotechnology Center, in its first phase of development, is focusing on educating students in the principles of Nanotechnology through design and simulation-based projects. The AUM center includes two design laboratories equipped with powerful computers and specialized software, such as Comsol Multiphysics and Microwind, to carry out the design and simulation of multi-discipline projects. COMSOL is an industry leading simulation software available in the nanotechnology laboratory to further strengthen the students’ knowledge of semiconductor theories and provide students and faculty members with an opportunity to carry out micro- and nano-device research. Microwind is a leading educational based program which allows both students and faculty members to model integrated circuit design and simulation. Three courses namely, EE305 Semiconductor Devices, EE453 Fundamentals of Nano electronics, and EE455 Integrated Circuit Engineering fully utilize the nanotechnology facilities to conduct lectures and course projects.
Furthermore, the center is offering an opportunity to senior engineering students to work on nanotechnology graduation projects. A total of five graduation projects from electrical, computer and mechanical engineering departments were accomplished in 2018 – 2019, and more than seven projects are planned for the current academic year (2019 – 2020).
Additionally, the center hosts training and workshops for students by AUM faculty to promote nanotechnology education in different engineering programs, as well as professional development activities for faculty members to explore the center’s resources. Lately, AUM has organized COMSOL Multiphysics Training Course by external trainers. The training was held on February 2019 for three days, attended by 40 faculty members from science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering departments. The training emphasized on practical techniques and skills essential to use COMSOL Multiphysics, reinforced by useful tips and insight from staff that use the software frequently.
In the future, AUM is planning to establish experimental laboratories to cover all aspects of Nano-fabrication and Nano-characterization processes. The new laboratories will provide experimental training and hands-on experience for AUM students in nanoscale science and engineering. The center will offer the option to fabricate and experimentally characterize Nano designs developed by AUM students and faculty. Moreover, the center will offer faculty and students the opportunity to engage in research projects addressing challenges, mainly in the oil-gas-energy sectors.
The Capstone Center is designed as a state of the art work-area that meets both the technical and practical needs of the College of Engineering students while giving them support throughout their Graduation Project.
Students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Technology have to complete a Graduation Project that is a culmination of their learned experiences at AUM. During this project, students demonstrate their design and engineering skills by solving a real-life problem. In fall 2019, more than 1100 students from the College of Engineering were enrolled in more than 220 graduation projects. Hence, the Capstone Center facilitates student progress throughout the different steps of the engineering design process required to accomplish their projects on time.
The Capstone consists of 14 meeting rooms, a conference room, a student workshop, and a common area with 20 PCs for student use laid over an area of 1500 square meters. Access and use of the center is restricted to students working on their Graduation Project. Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Capstone also holds 4 Faculty Member offices; these Faculty Members are Graduation Project Coordinators in different departments of the College of Engineering.
The main objective of the capstone center is to provide AUM students with an interactive learning experience where they can sharpen their creativity and inventive skills in service of their graduation project and the local industry.
Besides, students in graduation projects utilize Capstone facilities to prepare and participate in local and international competitions and conferences with great success.
Students participating in previous competitions have won 1st place in the General Electric 2nd Engineering Tech Challenge, 2nd place in Kuwait Award for Excellence and Creativity, 1st place in Best Paper/Poster Competition at IEEE GCC 2019 Conference, Best Student Paper Award at BioSMART Conference, and these students have shown their high motivation towards learning and accomplishing their projects.
Under the College of Business Administration, is the Business Innovation Center comprised of six business clubs, a Business Consulting Center and a Capstone Center.
Business Clubs have an important role in the students’ education as a form of interactive and practical learning. They target specific areas in business education: Accounting, Human Resources Management (HRM), Marketing, Finance, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Entrepreneurship. The clubs, the Business Consulting Center and the Capstone Center are established to provide and create platforms for our students to gain first-hand practical knowledge, create understanding, and develop experience in their disciplines and/or the disciplines of their choice.
Entrepreneurship Club
Accounting Club
Finance Club
Human Resources Management (HRM) Club
Marketing Club
Management Information System (MIS) Club
Business Consulting Center
Business Capstone Center
Computational resources represent a critical component of scientific research and engineering programs. Since its deployment in 2017, The High Performance Computing (HPC) Lab benefits both AUM students and faculty members who wish to carry out and solve big amounts of complex and/or repetitive calculations on a large amount of data, and wish to obtain faster results.
The HPC lab has enabled several research programs and students projects spanning across different applications in engineering, mathematics, particle physics, computational chemistry, big data and more.
System: Phoenix
Operating System: CentOS 7.4 (RedHat based)
Job scheduler: SunGridEngine (SGE)
CPU: 640 cores, Intel Xeon E5-2698 v3 2.3GHz
Aggregated memory: 1.28 TB
Peak performance: 23 TFLOPS
GPU accelerator: NVidia Tesla K40C 12GB
Interconnection: Mellanox 40 Gbps InfiniBand
Software: ANSYS, Gaussian, Orca, Chemkin, MAGMA, Mathematica, SageMath, SAS, R, CPLEX, Autodock, Mininet, Mosel, LAMMPS, Garfield++, FLUKA, ROOT, etc.
Architectural Engineering Studios and Labs
Civil Engineering Labs
Computer Engineering Labs
Electrical Engineering Labs
Mechanical Engineering Labs
IST/TNT Labs
Industrial Engineering Labs
Chemical Engineering Labs
Science Labs
As part of their education at AUM and within the general education requirements, all AUM students take at least one or many courses dedicated for promoting good health and well-being.
During the partial and full lockdown in Kuwait that came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, AUM launched a website dedicated to youth in Kuwait titled “AUM Youth”, which aimed to encourage young people to stay fit, healthy, and sharp. The website included educational and athletic courses and competitions. The educational courses offered to high school students in Kuwait through the website include coding, robotics, web design, English tutoring, and Math tutoring.
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) launched its "Online Coaching and Training” platform, which contains about 100 workout videos and aims to encourage students to exercise and improve their physical fitness.
The workouts were prepared by AUM coaches and include different types of exercises and movements. The coaches have also developed training schedules and workout plans for all fitness levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students can also book an appointment for a one-to-one fitness consultation via Zoom with expert coaches and trainers from AUM.
The interest of the American University of the Middle East in sports and athletics stems from its desire to build an intellectually and physically healthy generation that possesses skills and talents in various fields. It also comes from the importance of athletics and the role it plays in refining an individual's behavior, and reinforcing cooperation, teamwork, and the spirit of citizenship.
AUM Cultural Program accompanying the Forum Award
The American University of the Middle East cordially invites you to attend the AUM Cultural Program accompanying the Forum Award, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 7 and 8, at the AUM Cultural Center.
To attend, please register at the following link:
The Al-Qabas Master Class summer program was launched in cooperation with the American University of the Middle East ✨ , which includes courses and lectures in the media field 🎤 given by specialists and academics in the field of media in Kuwait 📺
