The American University in Dubai (AUD) proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of its faculty, staff, and alumni through the President, Provost, and Alumni Awards 2025-26.
More than an awards ceremony, the annual event celebrates the people who make AUD what it is. From dedicated staff members who keep the University moving forward, to faculty whose teaching, research, and innovation shape future generations, to alumni whose accomplishments continue to elevate the AUD name around the world, each recipient represents the very best of the AUD community.
This year's honorees embody the values that have long distinguished AUD: excellence, leadership, creativity, resilience, service, and impact. Their contributions have strengthened the University, enriched the student experience, advanced knowledge, transformed industries, and created opportunities far beyond the classroom.
Whether on campus, in boardrooms, research laboratories, classrooms, newsrooms, healthcare systems, entrepreneurial ventures, or communities around the world, they continue to demonstrate the power of an AUD education and the strength of the AUD community.
Their achievements remind us that while our paths may differ, we remain connected by a common foundation and a shared sense of pride. Together, they have given the entire AUD community something to celebrate—their accomplishments make us all AUD Proud.
Distinguished Service
Tammam Tannous was recognized for his unwavering dedication and exceptional service to the AUD community. A reassuring presence on campus for many years, he has earned the appreciation of students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. Throughout a year marked by unexpected challenges, Tammam demonstrated remarkable reliability, composure, and commitment.
Institutional Effectiveness
Sarah Ghamlouche received the award for Institutional Effectiveness in recognition of her vital role in advancing key academic and administrative priorities during a period of significant institutional change. Her contributions have supported curriculum development, accreditation initiatives, external grants, faculty support, academic advising, and research planning.
Strategic Connectivity (Tie)
Farah Arkadan was honored for cultivating meaningful partnerships with industry leaders, international organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions. Her efforts have created transformative opportunities for students and faculty, enriching learning experiences, expanding professional pathways, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Sharing the award, Muriel Zaatar was recognized for strengthening AUD's relationships with leading hospitals, research institutions, industry partners, and professional organizations. Through these collaborations, she has expanded opportunities for student learning, research partnerships, clinical engagement, and professional development across the healthcare sector.
Teaching Excellence
Nezar Andary received the award for Teaching Excellence for his highly personalized approach to education. Through extensive mentorship, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to helping students discover their unique creative voices, he has nurtured creativity, independence, and self-confidence in generations of learners.
Innovation in Teaching
Dina Faour was recognized for leading a comprehensive curriculum transformation aligned with rigorous international standards while embedding artificial intelligence across multiple courses. Her innovative approach has transformed the classroom into a dynamic, agency-style learning environment that prepares students for the evolving demands of industry.
Outstanding Research
Mason Marzbali received the award for Outstanding Research after securing a prestigious and highly competitive grant to establish a new research platform at the intersection of advanced materials, multiphysics modeling, and artificial intelligence. His work focuses on mitigating urban heat islands and supports the UAE's Net Zero 2050 strategy.
Creativity in Design and the Visual Arts (Tie)
Fadi Haddad was recognized for reimagining media research through a compelling satirical audiovisual project that recontextualizes the history of Arab broadcast culture. His podcast series has transformed rigorous scholarship into an engaging cultural artifact that resonates with broad audiences.
Co-recipient Nicolas Turchi was honored for his significant contributions to architecture and design. His work has helped shape Dubai's evolving urban landscape through three major architectural developments, while his research-driven exhibition earned international recognition from leading institutions in the field.
Outstanding Literary Achievement
Kamand Kojouri received the award for Outstanding Literary Achievement following the global broadcast of her short story on BBC Radio 4, reaching an audience of more than nine million weekly listeners. Her work explores themes of loss, identity, belonging, memory, and displacement, resonating with audiences around the world.
Professional Engagement and Community Outreach
Poupak Parvaresh and Imad Hanna were jointly recognized for creating Tech Tonic Talks, a dynamic videocast platform that bridges academia and industry. Through conversations with regional leaders, architects, and digital transformation experts, the series has fostered meaningful public dialogue and strengthened connections between the University and the professional community.
This year also marked a major milestone for the AUD community with the launch of the inaugural Alumni Awards. With more than 10,000 alumni making their mark across industries in the UAE and around the world, the awards celebrate graduates whose achievements, leadership, entrepreneurship, and service continue to bring distinction to both their professions and their alma mater.
Alumni Achievement Award
Saleem Karsaz, a member of AUD's Class of 2007 and Chairman and Group CEO of Aeon & Trisl, received the Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, leadership, and impact within the real estate sector. Under his leadership, the company has earned recognition as Emaar's number one agency, alongside accolades from leading developers across the UAE. A former Class Representative, he continues to engage with students and contribute meaningfully to the AUD community.
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
Rashed Hareb Al Mheiri, a member of AUD's Class of 2012 and Co-Founder and CEO of Rentify, received the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for his vision, innovation, and entrepreneurial impact. Through Rentify, he has helped redefine the rental experience by introducing flexible payment options and a rewards system that has made renting more accessible and efficient for residents across the UAE. In recognition of his contributions, he was named one of the Top 150 Real Estate Icons in the UAE for 2025.
Young Alumni Award (Tie)
Mustafa Alloh, a member of AUD's Class of 2014 and Director of Digital Health at PwC, received the Young Alumni Award for his contributions across AI, digital transformation, and public sector innovation. Through his work, he has helped advance national digital health initiatives, supported the transformation of public services, contributed to national AI strategies, obtained a patent in language technologies, and developed his own service business.
Sharing the same award category, Maisa Eid, a member of AUD's Class of 2022 and presenter at CNBC Arabia, was recognized for her rapid rise in business journalism. She hosts Stocks to Watch and CNBC Stories, covering global markets, finance, and major corporate developments. She also presents In Green, spotlighting renewable and sustainable energy initiatives, and CEO Talks, where she interviews some of the region's most prominent leaders.
AUD Appreciation Award (Tie)
Mohammad Almajedi, a member of AUD's Class of 2018, received the AUD Appreciation Award in recognition of his remarkable dedication to the University and its alumni community. From 2022 to 2025, he served as President of the AUD Alumni Association and as a member of the AUD Strategic Committee, helping create opportunities for graduates and strengthen engagement across the alumni community.
Also receiving the AUD Appreciation Award was Khaled Abuljebain, a member of AUD's Class of 2015 and Founder and CEO of Hope It Helps Media Consulting. Through his work as host of the AUD Podcast Channel and his continued engagement with alumni and community initiatives, he has helped strengthen connections between the University and the wider professional community.
Their success makes us all AUD Proud.
