American University of Kuwait celebrates largest graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026

The American University in Kuwait (AUK) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 last Monday, awarding degrees to 526 graduates during a ceremony held at the Arena Hall in the 360 Complex. The event was attended by the university’s founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Sheikha Adana Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, members of the Board of Trustees, numerous diplomats, distinguished guests, faculty members, Dr. Jassem Al-Ali, Secretary-General of the Private Universities Council, as well as the graduates’ families and friends.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech from Dr. Asil Al-Awadi, President of AUK. She congratulated the graduates on their achievement and commended their academic accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, critical thinking, and the values they acquired during their years of study. She highlighted their anticipated role in serving their communities and contributing to the future of Kuwait and the world.

The event’s guest speaker, author Buthaina Al-Eissa, addressed the graduates, discussing the significance of knowledge and the human experience. She urged them to leverage what they had gained during their academic journey and to apply their knowledge and abilities to create a positive impact in their communities and around the world.

The ceremony then moved to the most anticipated moment for students: the conferral of degrees. Dr. Asil Al-Awadi, alongside the deans of the colleges, presented the degrees to the graduates.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates celebrated this special occasion, taking commemorative photos with their families, friends, and faculty members, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their personal and professional journeys.

The American University in Kuwait is the first private university to combine humanities, business administration, engineering, and applied sciences. The university has established its educational, cultural, and administrative standards based on the educational model used in universities and colleges in the United States. The language of instruction at the university is English.

AUK is affiliated with Dartmouth College, a private higher education institution founded in 1769, under a memorandum of understanding and cooperation.

The university received its institutional accreditation from the Private Universities Council (PUC) of the Ministry of Higher Education in the State of Kuwait in 2006. Additionally, the College of Business and Economics holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the College of Arts and Sciences holds accreditation from the American Academy of Liberal Education (AALE). The Bachelor of Arts program in Design, with a minor in Graphic Design, is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), and the Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Meanwhile, the Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information about the American University in Kuwait, please visit the university’s website: www.auk.edu.kw.