New AUS Alumni Board elected to strengthen alumni engagement 

New AUS Alumni Board elected to strengthen alumni engagement 

The AUS Alumni Association (AUSAA) has announced the results of its Board elections, with alumni leaders elected to guide the association’s next phase of work and engagement. 

The elections follow a candidates meeting held on May 16, where 25 alumni shared their priorities for strengthening engagement, collaboration and opportunities for graduates.

The newly elected AUSAA Board leadership is:

President: Hind AlMutawa (CEN, 2002)

Vice President: Dr. Ammar Al Shamsi (SBA, 2012)

Executive of Council: Yara Aljabi (CEN, 2023)

Treasurer: Kareem Hijazi (SBA, 2025)

Executive of Administration: Fatima Alhammadi (CAS, 2022)

Hosted by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, the candidates meeting brought together Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and current members of the AUS Alumni Association Board to hear campaign pitches from candidates running for leadership positions within the association.

“This was an important moment for our alumni community. It illustrates the strong engagement of our graduates and our shared commitment to ensuring that the AUS Alumni Association continues to grow as a vibrant and impactful global network,” said Reem Baggash, President of the outgoing AUS Alumni Association.

Candidates ran for the five leadership positions, with each allotted three minutes to present their priorities for the AUS community.

Their proposals focused on expanding entrepreneurship support for students, strengthening collaboration with industry and innovation initiatives in the UAE and beyond, and creating more opportunities for alumni to engage through networking, mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Several candidates also emphasized the importance of positioning AUS alumni as an influential global community that actively supports both graduates and current students.

“The AUSAA Board elections reflect the continued growth of our global alumni community. With more than 21,000 graduates worldwide and nearly 47 chapters and class groups, AUS is among the few institutions in the region to have sustained a strong and impactful alumni association. Our alumni network is a powerful force that supports engagement, collaboration and impact across the AUS community,” said Chancellor Laursen.

He also expressed appreciation to the outgoing board for its leadership and for advancing key initiatives that have strengthened engagement across the alumni community.

Over the past two years, the AUS Alumni Association has worked to expand its reach through programs that support mentorship, career development, networking and lifelong engagement. Key initiatives include the AUS Alumni Mentorship Program, the Alumni Travel Program, AUS Connect and new digital and AI-focused initiatives aimed at supporting alumni growth and future readiness.

“The strength of our association comes from the passion, generosity and spirit of giving within our community. We hope the next board will continue building on this momentum by creating even more opportunities for alumni to connect, contribute and grow together,” said Baggash.

The newly elected board will work with alumni, students and university stakeholders to continue supporting engagement, professional development and connections across the AUS community.

“The responsibility entrusted to this board is one I take seriously. We look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and continuing to create meaningful ways for alumni to stay connected and contribute,” said Hind AlMutawa, President of AUSAA.