The Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship was awarded to four remarkable students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) for the academic year 2020-2021 in appreciation of their academic achievement, leadership ability, community service, proven talent in their area of study, and involvement in extracurricular and university events. The students were honored recently at a rare interactive ceremony.

Sarah Al Saeid of the College of Arts and Sciences, Ahmed Muhammad Zameer of the College of Engineering, Manaswi Madichetty of the School of Business Administration, and Sarah Al-Dulaimmi of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design are the recipients of this esteemed scholarship. Al Saeid defined the scholarship as a breakthrough in her academic career at AUS.

“Expressing I am honored, delighted, and grateful to have been acknowledged as the College of Arts and Sciences receiver of this scholarship is an understatement,” said the third-year student with a double major in international relations and mass media. This scholarship is a reminder to myself, first and foremost, that all I've worked for over the last three years at AUS has worked off, and for that I'm grateful. I'm still gratified that I will repay my father even a portion about what he's provided me over the years.” Following the end of her undergraduate studies, Al Saeid plans to pursue graduate studies with an emphasis on postcolonialism.

Zameer, a mechanical engineering student, claimed that he has strived to receive the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship since attending AUS. “It has always been one of my dreams to win this coveted scholarship since I first learned about it, and it sounds great to be able to fulfill that dream today.

Aside from offering me a world-class degree, I am thankful to AUS for the many resources it has equipped me with, ranging from scholarly study to voluntary work. The possibilities are limitless. “These diverse perspectives have enabled me to become an excellently adult capable of facing whatever obstacle the world could throw at me,” he said.

After completing the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree Zameer plans to pursue a degree program in mechanical engineering and do research work.

It was not always an easy road for finance major Madichetty, however, she has shown that hard work and determination are critical for success.

“This scholarship has provided me the encouragement to do even greater than I am doing now. Having won this is like a dream come true! It is a monetary gift, but it is also a recognition of the sacrifices that my family and I have rendered to get here. “It hasn't been an easy road, but it's been a fruitful one,” she said. Madichetty stated that she is looking at all options to map out a career path in her field. She is still aiming forward to pursuing her education following graduation.

Al-Dulaimi shared Madichetty's words, stating that receiving the scholarship is evidence that working hard pays off. “This recognition means a great deal to me, and I am honored to earn the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship.” After graduation, I want to register for graduate school and am exploring various fields of study. “Because of the grant, I will begin saving and submitting to many other competitive projects,” she said.

Professor Kevin Mitchell, Chancellor of AUS, congratulated the winners on their outstanding achievement, saying, "We are immensely proud of the students who have been awarded the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship for the academic year 2020-2021."

Since many candidates at AUS advance educationally and meet the Scholarship requirements, the selection criteria are extremely competitive. The receivers should be extremely proud of their achievement. Students who have achieved the Sheikh Khalifa Scholarship have also made significant contributions to the campus culture through their involvement in extracurricular and university projects, and AUS will continue learning from their work as student leaders.”