Chancellor Highlights Ajman University’s Social Impact at AACSB EMEA Conference in Amsterdam
Ajman University (AU) Chancellor Dr. Karim Seghir was recently invited to speak at the AACSB EMEA Conference in Amsterdam, focused on change and innovation across business schools in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) region. At the Conference, Chancellor Seghir presented on ‘Strengthening Societal Impact’ and how Ajman University is leading by example in this all-important development area for higher education institutions.
Social Responsibility Embedded in our Vision
Introducing AU to participants at the conference, Chancellor Seghir highlighted AU’s vision of responsible outreach and community engagement and emphasized how Ajman University has emerged as a premier global and Arab institution over the past few years, based on its commitment to excellence and social responsiveness. AU was named #1 in the Arab region and #4 in the world for international students in the QS University Rankings 2022 and is a recipient of QS 5-Stars Rating for Social Responsibility for its outstanding efforts in this area, he underlined.
Monitoring and Strengthening Social Impact
Chancellor Seghir highlighted how AU is monitoring and strengthening its social impact by embedding social responsibility initiatives across all its key strategic goals. For example, with relevance to its strategic goal of strengthening academic excellence in line with international standards and market requirements, AU offers online courses or sessions that are accessible to public for free, provides free certified courses to graduate underprivileged students to aid their career growth, and has activities carried out to support UN Sustainable Development Goals.
To strengthen meaningful relationships with external communities, AU faculty and staff are required to undertake a minimum of one social responsibility activity every year, while being encouraged to volunteer for charity or disaster relief work. AU students are also encouraged to participate in community engagement activities, while several scholarships are provided to financially and socially underprivileged students.
With the aim of ensuring that underprivileged students are not deprived of higher education due to financial hurdles, Ajman University provides scholarships and financial aid to 60% of its students, said Dr. Seghir.
Local Societal Initiatives
During the global Covid-19 pandemic, AU conducted 70,000 free-of-charge COVID-19 tests and provided 4000 vaccines to the local community. AU also offered laptops to needy students to help them continue their education remotely.
Ajman University’s doctors and students provide free-of-charge dental treatment on campus to 500 patients daily. Since 2018, AU doctors, alumni, and students have collectively provided free dental services off-campus to more than 2600 patients, via our Mobile Dental Clinic, the Chancellor said in his presentation.
Global Impact
AU’s global impact is demonstrated in our students’ trips to diverse global regions where they use their education and skills to provide relevant healthcare services, raise awareness about local issues and volunteer for humanitarian services to local communities, Dr. Seghir said.
Research with Societal Impact
Chancellor Seghir in his presentation highlighted how AU is conducting socially relevant research that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More than 700 Scopus indexed papers relevant to UN SDGs have been produced by AU scholars so far, including on good health and well-being; quality education; affordable and clean energy; economic growth; hunger; poverty; gender equality; and industry, infrastructure & innovation, as per statistics provided by Dr. Seghir in his presentation at the Conference.