SDG 1: End Poverty in all its Forms

Local Start-up Assistance and Local Start-up Financial Assistance

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) actively supports the local community in establishing financially and socially sustainable businesses. Related initiatives aim at empowering individuals, promoting economic self-reliance, providing resources for economic empowerment, and thus contributing to sustainable development. This is achieved mainly through:

• Becoming a Hub for Entrepreneurship locally and regionally: The University offers mentorship programs, training, and guidance from experienced faculty and experts to aspiring entrepreneurs, and supports them with education and resources for the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses.

• Promoting employability through connecting individuals to job opportunities, enhancing skills, and building partnerships with industries to promote sustainable employment.

These initiatives help improving access to stable jobs and creating pathways for socio-economic mobility, thus reducing poverty.

Becoming a Hub for Entrepreneurship locally and regionally

Certificate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with UC Berkeley AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship and Development 

In the scope of the collaboration between AUM and the University of California - Berkeley (UCB), AUM offers a certification program in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship. The program is delivered by expert professors from UCB. 

AUM Start-up Challenge 2023

For the third consecutive year, AUM Startup Challenge was organized reflecting the university’s efforts to further expose students to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and challenge them to think of these goals in the context of business opportunities. The AUM Startup Challenge is the first phase of the Babson Global Student Challenge and results in three winning teams competing in the semi-finals and finals along with other participating universities from more than 16 countries from all over the world. AUM’s annual organization of the AUM Startup Challenge and its engagement in Babson’s Global Student Challenge comes as part of the university’s efforts to expose students further to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and challenge them to think of these goals in the context of business opportunities.

The AUM Startup Challenge 2023 was concluded on 16 February 2023 by organizing an exhibition where 170+ students working on their business idea for months displayed their projects. They defended their project and explained how it helps advance one or more of the SDGs. An award ceremony was also held, attended by faculty, staff, and students, and special guest Mr. Jamie Kendrioski, Director of the Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education, who joined virtually. 

Participation in Babson Global Student Challenge 2023: AUM team won 2nd place globally 

Following AUM Startup challenge, the 3 winning teams participated in Babson Global student challenge 2023. On 19 April 2023, the top 10 projects were revealed, including three outstanding teams from AUM. The Babson Global Challenge Finals, held virtually on 25 May 2023, brought together 2,163 students from 22 universities across 17 countries. Among these finalists, Glassee's team, previously successful in the AUM Startup Challenge, achieved second place globally. This remarkable accomplishment is a significant milestone, with Glassee’s being the only team from the region to reach the top three in the competition. The Glassee’s which comprised of Aliah Ibrahim, Farah Alfajji, Yaqoub Almejadi, Afaf Almuraifea, Deem Alotaibi, Fahad Alenezi, demonstrated a great exhibition of their idea which was viewed as having a considerable impact on the society by the jury.

AUM Startup Challenge 2022

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) concluded its AUM Startup Challenge 2022 by organizing an event at the Cultural Center on February 21, 2022. The event was attended by faculty, staff, students, and special guest Mr. Jamie Kendrioski, Director of the Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education, who joined virtually. The event started with an exhibition where 25 teams of students who have been working on their business idea for months participated with a dedicated booth and explained to attendees about their project and how it helps advance one or more of the SDGs.

A jury comprising of subject matter experts from AUM faculty voted for the top six teams based on specific rubrics. All attendees also had the chance to vote for the best three teams. Following the exhibition, the elected six teams presented their ideas on stage and the top three were selected by the jury. The team that ranked first, second, and third were awarded 5,000 KWD, 3,000 KWD, and 1,500 KWD, respectively, as part of AUM’s support to help them turn their startup idea into reality.

The three winning teams and their ideas are highlighted hereunder:

• Seaweed Bioplastic – First Place: The idea consists of opening a factory that produces degradable and consumable bioplastic made from seaweed

• Easy Diagnosis – Second Place: The project consists of a working prototype that relies on Deep learning using a model called Convolutional Neural Network. The program's intended purpose is to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer patients, help decrease human error and it will help benefit hospitals, doctors, lung cancer patients, and society at large.

• Re-Rub - Third Place: Since Kuwait has one of the largest tire yards in the world, the project aims to use recycled tires materials, which are rubber and steel to produce home furniture.

Mr. Jamie Kendrioski delivered a speech where he congratulated all the participating teams and talked about the collaborations between AUM and Babson. “Babson and AUM share a belief that entrepreneurship is not only about starting a business but is also a mindset applicable to any industry that when put to its best use truly can advance social, economic, and environmental causes, and change the world,” Kendrioski said as part of his speech.

Participation in Babson Global Student Challenge 2022: Two AUM teams among Top 10 finalists 

Following AUM Startup challenge, the 3 winning teams participated in Babson Global student challenge 2022 that was held virtually on 25th of May 2022. During this challenge, teams from 25 school members of Babson Collaborative coming from 17 different countries competed among each other’s for the Top 10 projects. 356 projects were presented from which two successful projects from AUM were selected among the top 10 finalists. The two teams were granted certificates from babson along a scholarship from AUM to participate in the 1-week Babson Build program.

Global Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators (SEE) - MENA Region Edition in collaboration with Babson College

AUM hosted the Global Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators (SEE) - MENA Region Edition in collaboration with Babson College, from 29 to 31 January 2023. Participants from the region and Kuwait connected to learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship education.

Kuwait Top Entrepreneurs 2023 Forum by Forbes Middle East and Qabas in collaboration with AUM

On 16 March 2023, the Kuwait Top Entrepreneurs 2023 Forum by Forbes Middle East and Qabas in collaboration with AUM was held at the Cultural Center. This forum followed the recognition of the top entrepreneurs at a gala ceremony on March 15, 2023. The forum convened interdisciplinary visionaries and stakeholders to discuss challenges faced by businesses and key disruptive trends that will shape 2023.

AUM Innovation Fair 2023

AUM Innovation Fair 2023 held on 18 May 2023, was set to be a flagship event that promotes innovation and creativity through the showcase of over 100 student-led projects across a variety of disciplines.

This innovation fair was organized to foster a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and research among students, providing them with a valuable opportunity to present their projects to a wider audience, including peers, faculty, and external guests.

AUM Holds Annual “Academic Fair”

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) held its “Academic Fair” on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, with the participation of professors and students from the Colleges of Engineering and Technology, and College of Business Administration. The fair included 88 stands where students presented their engineering projects and business ideas. In addition, an art exhibition for AUM Art Club students, several performances by the Music Club students, and science competitions for Engineering and Technology students were held.

Engineering and Technology students’ projects focused on seven main themes: the health sector and ways to improve the healthcare quality using advanced technology, the oil sector and the extraction of oil and gas safely and effectively with the reduction of environmental pollution, the energy sector and how to generate renewable electricity without the use of traditional resources, the telecommunications sector, the public transport sector and how to reduce traffic congestions, and the banking sector and the use of secure electronic banking. Students from the College of Business Administration provided practical solutions to business sector problems in Kuwait, as well as scientific researches on how to manage human resources in institutions, in addition to economic studies on how to invest efficiently, establish and develop a company, and how enter the stock market. The English Preparatory Program students presented lectures with the aim to help participants to develop their language, public speaking and presentation skills.

Promoting Employability

AUM “Career Day” Initiative

Tawteen Career Center at the American University of the Middle East (AUM) launched the “Career Day” initiative as part of the Center’s efforts to empower AUM students and graduates by providing them with internships and job opportunities that best match their career goals.

The Career Day initiative comprises a series of events whereby AUM connects graduates and alumni with top local and international employers from the private and public sectors.  During each of these events, a designated company is chosen to hold on-the-spot job interviews and various other professional development activities.

Career Day - Gulf Bank at AUM: The first event of the Career Day was for Gulf Bank and it was held at the AUM Cultural Center on September 13 and 14, 2021. The bank, which was offering around 30 job opportunities, sent a recruitment team seeking to hire fresh talent from AUM graduates and experienced professionals from AUM Alumni.

AUM graduates and alumni were well prepared for the interviews especially that Tawteen Career Center offers alumni various services among which are one-to-one career interview sessions, interview techniques, CV writing, etc.  As alumni progress deeper into their career upgrade, Tawteen mentors will help them explore their career interests, goals, and values, as well as offer them methods to overcome obstacles in their future careers. More importantly, the Center provided during the pandemic an online portal whereby students and alumni can schedule a mockup interview with the Center so they can be readier for job interviews.

On another note, AUM students and alumni recently attended a summer internship across various departments at Gulf Bank and were awarded a Certification of Completion during a ceremony held by Gulf Bank to celebrate the employees’ successful completion of Gulf Bank’s integrated training program.

AUM will keep upgrading its professional and career development offerings and the Career Day initiative is one step closer in this direction.

Career Day - KIB Career Day: Tawteen Career Center at the American University of the Middle East (AUM) continued with the series of events for the “Career Day” initiative by welcoming Kuwait International Bank (KIB) at the AUM Cultural Center on October 24 and 25, 2021.

KIB targeted fresh AUM graduates and alumni by offering them more than 50 job opportunities for different positions at the bank that are suitable for various Business, Engineering, and Technology fields and specializations.

A specialized recruitment team from the bank came to campus to hold on-the-spot interviews for AUM fresh graduates and alumni. Candidates were well prepared for the interviews as a result of the professional development services and support offered by Tawteen, among which are one-to-one career interview sessions, interview techniques, CV writing, etc.

The Career Day initiative comprises a series of events whereby AUM connects graduates and alumni with top local and international employers. During each of these events, a designated company is chosen to hold on-the-spot job interviews and various other professional development activities.

Career Day - NBK at AUM: The American University of the Middle East (AUM) welcomed National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) at the AUM Cultural Center on November 16-17 and 23-24 as part of the AUM Career day initiatives.

NBK offered over 100 full-time and part-time job opportunities, targeting AUM students and alumni for different positions at the bank’s branches and headquarter. A professional recruitment team from NBK held on-spot interviews with students and alumni.

During the events, NBK displayed a Tesla car beside the lake where students got the chance to explore it and learn more about the advantages of electric cars and their positive impact on climate change. It was most interesting for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students who put a lot of focus in their graduation projects on creating innovative projects that find solutions to real-world problems using renewable energy.

Career Day - CBK at AUM: In continuation of the Career Day initiative, Tawteen Career Center at AUM welcomed the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) on campus on December 1 and 2, 2021. 

The specialized recruitment team was available at the AUM Cultural Center to hold on-the-spot interviews and was offering more than 50 job opportunities to AUM students and alumni for different positions at the bank that are suitable for various Business, Engineering, and Technology fields and specializations.

This marks the fourth Career Day event after launching the initiative earlier this semester. The Career Day initiative comprises a series of events whereby AUM connects graduates and alumni with top local and international employers. During each of these events, a designated company is chosen to hold on-the-spot job interviews and other professional development activities.

Career Day - Boubyan Bank at AUM: The fifth Career Day event saw the welcoming of Boubyan bank to the American University of the Middle East (AUM) campus on December 8 and 9, 2021. More than 250 candidates were interviewed by Boubyan’s recruitment team for different part-time and full-time positions at the bank.

This event marked the final Career day event for 2021. Thousands of Students attended the events and numerous part-time and full-time job opportunities were offered to AUM students and alumni.

AUM Recognizes Leading Companies through the AUM Corporate Award 2023 in its Second Edition

The American University of the Middle East organized AUM Corporate Award 2023 ceremony, in its second edition, to celebrate its strategic partnership with leading companies from private and public sectors, and to honor successful cadres in Kuwait.

The ceremony was held at AUM Cultural Center on May 24, 2023 where an outstanding selection of leaders and leading local, regional and international companies from private and public sectors in Kuwait were honored in gratitude for believing in youth and for believing in AUM graduates who became an integral part of their workforce. The ceremony was also attended by executives and experts from firms operating in Kuwait.

AUM Recognizes Leading Companies through the AUM Corporate Award 2022

The American University of the Middle East concluded the AUM Corporate Award 2022 ceremony, which was organized at the AUM Cultural Center on May 12, 2022. The ceremony was held to honor handpicked leaders and leading local and international companies in Kuwait for believing in AUM graduates who became an integral part of their workforce.

The ceremony was attended by AUM’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Fahad AlOthman, and featured a great number of leaders, executives, and experts from local, regional, and international firms operating in Kuwait.

The awarded companies are: Ernst & Young, Honeywell, Ooredoo, Kuwait Oil Company, KIPIC, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Airways, National Bank of Kuwait, Zain, Kuwait Investment Authority, Boubyan Bank, Agility, CODED, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Alghanim Industries, Burgan Bank, STC, Huawei, Ministry of Finance, Schlumberger, Institute of Banking Studies, Jazeera Airways, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, LOYAC, Gulf Insurance Group, Carrier, INJAZ, State Audit Bureau of Kuwait, Mezzan Holding Co, Integrated Projects Company, Kuwait International Bank, Baker Hughes, Towell International Holding, Aramex, Diyar United Company, Hassan Abul Co., Citi, Apparel Group, Kuwait Finance House, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co., AZN O&M Company W.L.L. , COMBINED GROUP CONTRACTING COMPANY (KSC), Arabian Beverage Company, ALHASAWI GROUP, Marafie Group, and Alhamra economic consulting

The launch of the AUM Corporate Award 2022 stems from AUM’s belief in the importance of honoring successful cadres in Kuwait and celebrating its strategic partnership with companies from private and public sectors.

GIG: AUM Graduates Proved Professionalism in the Work Field

The American University of the Middle East (AUM) hosted a recruitment session at its campus for students seeking internships and employment opportunities. The event was organized by Tawteen Career Development and Recruitment Center at AUM, in collaboration with Gulf Insurance Group company (GIG).

The session comes after several AUM events GIG took part in, such as AUM’s Career Fair 2015 and Business Capstone competition in 2016.

AUM holds a number of recruitment sessions during the academic year through which it aims to establish connections between students and different companies, give students insight about these company, their industry, and employment opportunities available for students and fresh graduates.

AUM students attended the seminar delivered by GIG representatives. Students asked questions about GIG, the recruitment process and the employment opportunities during a Q&A session.

GIG representatives stressed on the advanced level of competence AUM students have, noting that GIG has already employed several graduates from AUM who have raised the standards of the competition in the job market.

Through these recruitment sessions held by Tawteen Career Development and Recruitment Center, AUM aims to promote students’ awareness regarding the requirements of the job market and the expectations of potential employers by empowering students so they can lead successful professional careers. Additional evidence.

AUM Holds Recruitment Session in collaboration with Ooredoo

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.