AUS Strengthens Global Innovation Partnership with Cambridge
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has taken a big step in connecting globally with leading universities and innovation hubs. As part of its Community Connect initiative, AUS visited the University of Cambridge, bringing together leaders from AUS, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), and the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
The program was held under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS. It gave delegates a chance to explore Cambridge’s research and innovation ecosystem, share knowledge, and ended with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi on Global Knowledge Exchange
Sheikha Bodour said:
“This collaboration builds on Sharjah’s commitment to learning, innovation, and partnerships. Connecting AUS with Cambridge allows our students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to think globally while staying rooted in Sharjah’s values.”
This visit highlights AUS’s effort to connect with international innovation networks and open doors for students and faculty to gain global exposure.
Community Connect: AUS’s Global Engagement Platform
The Community Connect initiative, launched in September 2025, is AUS’s main platform for building international collaborations. Its main goals are:
- Creating long-term partnerships with universities and innovation centers.
- Promoting knowledge sharing and dialogue.
- Offering students and faculty applied learning experiences.
Through this program, AUS aims to become a regional hub for academic excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Exploring Cambridge’s Research and Innovation Hubs
The three-day visit gave delegates a first-hand look at Cambridge’s research and innovation ecosystem. Highlights included:
- Cambridge Enterprise – Focused on how research ideas can be turned into successful businesses.
- Cambridge Science Park & Bradfield Centre – Where startups, researchers, and investors work together.
- Babraham Research Campus – Known for life sciences research and deep-tech innovation.
These visits showed delegates how research, innovation, and business can be connected to create real-world impact.
Learning from Cambridge Judge Business School
Delegates also attended sessions at Cambridge Judge Business School, exploring:
- Research impact on society.
- Entrepreneurship strategies.
- Building innovation ecosystems.
Dr. Jim Glasheen, CEO of Cambridge Enterprise, welcomed the AUS delegation. Dr. Tod Laursen, AUS Chancellor, gave opening remarks. Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Relations, led the Community Connect briefing, while Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, shared reflections on innovation and entrepreneurship.
A highlight was a keynote by Prof. Dr. Lucia A. Reisch, Director of the El-Erian Institute of Behavioural Economics and Policy. She discussed nudging strategies to reduce food waste, showing how behavioral research can create positive social and environmental outcomes.
Chancellor Laursen said:
“Community Connect ensures these exchanges become real collaborations that strengthen Sharjah’s role as a knowledge and innovation hub.”
Cambridge Enterprise: A Global Innovation Leader
According to Caroline Hyde, Head of Ecosystem Initiatives and Partnerships at Cambridge Enterprise:
“Cambridge Enterprise bridges academic research with commercial success. From funding new ideas to supporting entrepreneurs and building global networks, it creates a world-class innovation ecosystem.”
This collaboration gave AUS insight into how research commercialization and entrepreneurship work in one of the world’s top universities.
Cultural Exchange and Networking
The visit was not just about research. Delegates attended a gala dinner at the Fitzwilliam Museum, hosted by Sheikha Bodour. Special guests included Dr. Hayat Sindi, a renowned scientist and Cambridge Fellow, recognized as one of the most influential Arab women globally.
Other attendees included Cambridge College leaders, professors, and Lord Grimthorpe, Deputy-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. The event reflected the spirit of academic and cultural exchange that strengthened ties between Sharjah and Cambridge.
Formal Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
The program concluded with the signing of an MoU between AUS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The partnership aims to:
- Improve English-language education and academic publishing.
- Develop culturally relevant learning materials for students and teachers.
- Launch training programs for educators and policymakers.
- Support initiatives in Arabic-language education.
- Offer advice on education policy, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
- Integrate digital and AI-driven learning tools.
The MoU also includes opportunities to:
- Co-publish scholarly works and journals.
- Join editorial boards and peer-review networks.
- Co-host academic conferences.
- Pilot new Cambridge digital learning resources in AUS classrooms.
Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
“Connecting AUS and Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem with Cambridge creates practical collaboration opportunities that improve policy, teaching, and learning globally.”
Next Steps: From Dialogue to Action
With the discussions, workshops, and agreements complete, AUS and Cambridge are now focused on:
- Implementing signed programs.
- Developing pilot projects for research, teaching, and innovation.
- Expanding knowledge exchange to strengthen AUS’s regional influence.
These steps aim to ensure that AUS remains a center for innovation, research excellence, and global academic collaboration.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This partnership between AUS and Cambridge highlights several key benefits:
- Global Exposure for Students and Researchers – Participants learn from world-leading research and entrepreneurship models.
- Boosting Innovation in Sharjah – Bringing international best practices to local startups and innovation hubs.
- Educational Advancement – Enhancing curricula, learning materials, and teaching methods for both English and Arabic education.
- Cultural Exchange – Strengthening ties between Sharjah and Cambridge through shared experiences and networks.
Sheikha Bodour emphasized that such international collaborations help AUS students think globally while keeping Sharjah’s values at the core.
A Bright Future for AUS and Sharjah
The AUS-Cambridge collaboration marks an important milestone in Sharjah’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-based hub. By connecting local institutions with global leaders in research and innovation, AUS ensures:
- Students and faculty gain global perspectives.
- Entrepreneurs receive mentorship and exposure to international best practices.
- Sharjah strengthens its position as a hub for education, innovation, and culture.
This initiative demonstrates how education, research, and entrepreneurship can work together to create a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Tags (one line):
AUS, Cambridge University, Community Connect, Sheraa, SPARK, Shurooq, MoU, Education, Innovation, Research, Sharjah, Entrepreneurship
