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Officially incorporated in 2019, American International University (AIU) is a privately owned and funded, coeducational university located in Al Jahra, Kuwait. With cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class faculty, AIU is committed to educating and serving the people of Kuwait.
The University was founded as an independent academic institution to enrich the intellectual, scientific, and cultural life of Kuwaiti society. Specifically, AIU aims to meet the needs of the professional labor market by building capacity in the areas of business, technology, and science.
Today, AIU offers a robust curriculum and innovative approach to teaching and learning based on the American model of higher education. Through its distinct academic offerings, general education requirements and integrated student support services, AIU is preparing students to reach their full potential as ethical and responsible learners and leaders.
Currently, AIU enrolls 2,100 students across six schools focused on film and digital media, architecture and design, business, engineering and computing, education, and arts and science. All instruction is offered in English. Although tuition driven, AIU has grown dramatically in just three years to a $100M operation.
Supported by its Office of Institutional Effectiveness, AIU is committed to a comprehensive, robust, and systematic accreditation planning process at both the institution and program level. AIU is provisionally accredited in Kuwait by the Private Universities Council (PUC). Governed by the Ministry of Higher Education, the PUC is the governmental oversight entity with responsibility for private colleges, institutes and universities in the country. It also ensures the conformity to different norms and stipulations for licensing these institutions. The University is also seeking eligibility for accreditation with Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the U.S.
Jacqueline Shaw, MBA, MIM
Chief Executive Officer
Drawing from over 20 years of experience in the education industry in the region, Ms. Shaw leads the administration of American International University and directs all executive leadership teams. Having founded the American Baccalaureate School in Kuwait, and operating the Oxford Learning Centre franchise in various locations across the GCC, Ms. Shaw drives the vision for AIU to be a regional hub for academic excellence. Ms. Shaw obtained her MBA from Arizona State University, her MIM from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and has a BBA from the University of Washington.
Fayza Al Kharafi, Ph.D.
Member, Board of Trustees
Dr. Al-Kharafi is a Kuwaiti chemist and academic. She was the president of Kuwait University from 1993 to 2002, and the first woman to head a major university in the Middle East. She is the vice president of the World Academy of Sciences. She received her BSc from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1967. She then earned her graduate degrees at Kuwait University, where she founded the Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Laboratory while in graduate school. Forbes magazine once named her as one of “The 100 Most Powerful Women – Women To Watch In The Middle East”.
Susan Yuhasz, MAT, MS
Member, Board of Trustees
Ms. Yuhasz serves on the AIU Board of Trustees bringing years of experience within higher education in America and the Middle East. Having held positions in a variety of executive leadership and consulting roles, Ms. Yuhasz has been instrumental in the development of the academic framework and student experience at American International University, and has served as Interim President during the inauguration of AIU. Ms. Yuhasz received a BA from the University of New Hampshire, an MAT and an MS from Miami University, and she attended the Institute for Educational Management for senior level administrators at Harvard University.
Other members of the Board include Ms. Areeji Ali Al Ghanim, the General Director of the American Baccalaureate School, and Mr. Nael Al Awadhi, the CEO of Ali Al Ghanim and Sons General Trading.
Michael Pishko, PhD, MS
President
Dr. Pishko has over 30 years of experience in higher education and previously served as provost at AIU. Before coming to Kuwait, he served as the Dean of Engineering & Applied Science at the University of Wyoming and Department Head of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 24 issued US patents. He is a member of the National Academy of Inventors and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Biomedical and Biochemical Engineers. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Ph.D. In Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
For more information on campus leadership, see the AIU website.
K. Katheleen (Kate) O’Neill, Ph.D.
Interim, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Also dean of the AIU School of Business, Dr. O’Neill is a specialist in strategic leadership and decision-making, change, and maximizing team productivity. She has diverse industry, NGO, and government experience in Afghanistan, USA, Argentina, Japan, Guatemala, Jamaica, the UAE, and Kiribati (Central Pacific). Previously, she served as associate professor of management at the American University of Afghanistan and the director of the Master of Strategic Leadership program at Mount Mercy University in Iowa. She spent 15 years as a professor of management at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates.
A new VPAA begins in January 2023. For more information on campus leadership, see the AIU website.
The gated campus community provides a safe and secure learning environment where students have access to state-of-the-art facilities. Boasting over 40,000m2, the Academic and Administrative building is equipped with 32 classrooms, 14 computer labs, and 13 studio and workshop spaces to serve students’ academic needs. Students and faculty can utilize advanced technology such as smart boards, wi-fi access throughout campus, and well-equipped computer and STEM labs.
The campus also offers numerous recreation and service areas, such as a well-equipped gym, study rooms and lounge areas, a food court and dining hall, coffee shop, prayer rooms, and fitness rooms. Offering responsive print and digital collections and user-centered support services, the Shaw Library and Learning Commons serves as a campus center for engaged learning.
The campus also incorporates thoughtful cultural elements from Kuwait to anchor students and faculty in a sense of community. The overall intention of the campus design was to create an environment that promotes creative thinking and collaboration. The result of these efforts is a campus that feels established and is firmly focused on the country’s future leaders.
AIU is currently finalizing the acquisition of an adjoining property (100,000m2) which would triple the current land area of the campus.
A coeducational institution, AIU’s student body is 68.7% female and 31.3% male.
Information on Admissions and the Cost of Attendance is publicly available.
A strategic institutional priority, as outlined in “AIU Vision 2027”, AIU is actively seeking to develop a robust portfolio of international partnerships and linkages focused on student exchange, collaborative degree programs, international research, etc. Similarly, AIU is committed to developing strategic external partnerships with local and international companies, NGOs, and other institutions to build its global reputation and increase student opportunities for community-engaged learning.
Currently, and in alignment with PUC expectations, AIU is affiliated with Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Via this affiliation, AIU programs in the fields of engineering, business, film studies, and education, both current or proposed, are based on programs available and delivered at Wayne State University (WSU). WSU provides AIU with academic content support, consultation on curricula, and evaluation for its programs and degrees. WSU faculty work with their AIU counterparts on sharing of instructional and learning strategies that are focused on achieving optimal student learning outcomes.
Other areas of academic support focus on faculty by providing opportunities for joint research and collaboration to enhance research quality and promote knowledge exchange between WSU and AIU researchers. WSU also assists AIU in accreditation planning aspirations for its business, engineering, education and file programs.
AIU offers an authentic American education both in and outside of the classroom, combining high quality instruction with a robust student community. This includes a Student Success Center, a Writing Center and a Tutoring Center. Students also have the opportunity to become involved and contribute to the campus community through participation in student clubs, organizations, and student leadership. The its Fitness Center, AIU offers a wide array of programs to support and inspire the wellness of the community.
The Career Services & Student Employment Center assists students in integrating their university education with their career aspirations.
AIU has been created to provide an authentic American education in Kuwait, where students can earn a top tier degree in a range of fields that are of utmost importance to our 21st-century world. Currently, AIU offers 18 undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs across five schools.
(There is a School of Film and Digital Media in development.)
AIU has established seven competencies that inform its General Education program requirements. Upon graduation, AIU students will be able to demonstrate:
AIU’s School of Architecture & Design seeks to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship and innovation.
Currently the School offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree programs in Graphic Design and Interior Design. For either program, students must complete a minimum of 121 credits including satisfaction of all degree requirements of AIU.
Officially incorporated in 2019, American International University (AIU) is a privately owned and funded, coeducational university located in Al Jahra, Kuwait. With cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class faculty, AIU is committed to educating and serving the people of Kuwait.
The University was founded as an independent academic institution to enrich the intellectual, scientific, and cultural life of Kuwaiti society. Specifically, AIU aims to meet the needs of the professional labor market by building capacity in the areas of business, technology, and science.
Today, AIU offers a robust curriculum and innovative approach to teaching and learning based on the American model of higher education. Through its distinct academic offerings, general education requirements and integrated student support services, AIU is preparing students to reach their full potential as ethical and responsible learners and leaders.
Currently, AIU enrolls 2,100 students across six schools focused on film and digital media, architecture and design, business, engineering and computing, education, and arts and science. All instruction is offered in English. Although tuition driven, AIU has grown dramatically in just three years to a $100M operation.
Supported by its Office of Institutional Effectiveness, AIU is committed to a comprehensive, robust, and systematic accreditation planning process at both the institution and program level. AIU is provisionally accredited in Kuwait by the Private Universities Council (PUC). Governed by the Ministry of Higher Education, the PUC is the governmental oversight entity with responsibility for private colleges, institutes and universities in the country. It also ensures the conformity to different norms and stipulations for licensing these institutions. The University is also seeking eligibility for accreditation with Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the U.S.
Jacqueline Shaw, MBA, MIM
Chief Executive Officer
Drawing from over 20 years of experience in the education industry in the region, Ms. Shaw leads the administration of American International University and directs all executive leadership teams. Having founded the American Baccalaureate School in Kuwait, and operating the Oxford Learning Centre franchise in various locations across the GCC, Ms. Shaw drives the vision for AIU to be a regional hub for academic excellence. Ms. Shaw obtained her MBA from Arizona State University, her MIM from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and has a BBA from the University of Washington.
Fayza Al Kharafi, Ph.D.
Member, Board of Trustees
Dr. Al-Kharafi is a Kuwaiti chemist and academic. She was the president of Kuwait University from 1993 to 2002, and the first woman to head a major university in the Middle East. She is the vice president of the World Academy of Sciences. She received her BSc from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1967. She then earned her graduate degrees at Kuwait University, where she founded the Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Laboratory while in graduate school. Forbes magazine once named her as one of “The 100 Most Powerful Women – Women To Watch In The Middle East”.
Susan Yuhasz, MAT, MS
Member, Board of Trustees
Ms. Yuhasz serves on the AIU Board of Trustees bringing years of experience within higher education in America and the Middle East. Having held positions in a variety of executive leadership and consulting roles, Ms. Yuhasz has been instrumental in the development of the academic framework and student experience at American International University, and has served as Interim President during the inauguration of AIU. Ms. Yuhasz received a BA from the University of New Hampshire, an MAT and an MS from Miami University, and she attended the Institute for Educational Management for senior level administrators at Harvard University.
Other members of the Board include Ms. Areeji Ali Al Ghanim, the General Director of the American Baccalaureate School, and Mr. Nael Al Awadhi, the CEO of Ali Al Ghanim and Sons General Trading.
Michael Pishko, PhD, MS
President
Dr. Pishko has over 30 years of experience in higher education and previously served as provost at AIU. Before coming to Kuwait, he served as the Dean of Engineering & Applied Science at the University of Wyoming and Department Head of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 24 issued US patents. He is a member of the National Academy of Inventors and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Biomedical and Biochemical Engineers. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Ph.D. In Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
For more information on campus leadership, see the AIU website.
K. Katheleen (Kate) O’Neill, Ph.D.
Interim, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Also dean of the AIU School of Business, Dr. O’Neill is a specialist in strategic leadership and decision-making, change, and maximizing team productivity. She has diverse industry, NGO, and government experience in Afghanistan, USA, Argentina, Japan, Guatemala, Jamaica, the UAE, and Kiribati (Central Pacific). Previously, she served as associate professor of management at the American University of Afghanistan and the director of the Master of Strategic Leadership program at Mount Mercy University in Iowa. She spent 15 years as a professor of management at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates.
A new VPAA begins in January 2023. For more information on campus leadership, see the AIU website.
The gated campus community provides a safe and secure learning environment where students have access to state-of-the-art facilities. Boasting over 40,000m2, the Academic and Administrative building is equipped with 32 classrooms, 14 computer labs, and 13 studio and workshop spaces to serve students’ academic needs. Students and faculty can utilize advanced technology such as smart boards, wi-fi access throughout campus, and well-equipped computer and STEM labs.
The campus also offers numerous recreation and service areas, such as a well-equipped gym, study rooms and lounge areas, a food court and dining hall, coffee shop, prayer rooms, and fitness rooms. Offering responsive print and digital collections and user-centered support services, the Shaw Library and Learning Commons serves as a campus center for engaged learning.
The campus also incorporates thoughtful cultural elements from Kuwait to anchor students and faculty in a sense of community. The overall intention of the campus design was to create an environment that promotes creative thinking and collaboration. The result of these efforts is a campus that feels established and is firmly focused on the country’s future leaders.
AIU is currently finalizing the acquisition of an adjoining property (100,000m2) which would triple the current land area of the campus.
A coeducational institution, AIU’s student body is 68.7% female and 31.3% male.
Information on Admissions and the Cost of Attendance is publicly available.
A strategic institutional priority, as outlined in “AIU Vision 2027”, AIU is actively seeking to develop a robust portfolio of international partnerships and linkages focused on student exchange, collaborative degree programs, international research, etc. Similarly, AIU is committed to developing strategic external partnerships with local and international companies, NGOs, and other institutions to build its global reputation and increase student opportunities for community-engaged learning.
Currently, and in alignment with PUC expectations, AIU is affiliated with Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Via this affiliation, AIU programs in the fields of engineering, business, film studies, and education, both current or proposed, are based on programs available and delivered at Wayne State University (WSU). WSU provides AIU with academic content support, consultation on curricula, and evaluation for its programs and degrees. WSU faculty work with their AIU counterparts on sharing of instructional and learning strategies that are focused on achieving optimal student learning outcomes.
Other areas of academic support focus on faculty by providing opportunities for joint research and collaboration to enhance research quality and promote knowledge exchange between WSU and AIU researchers. WSU also assists AIU in accreditation planning aspirations for its business, engineering, education and file programs.
AIU offers an authentic American education both in and outside of the classroom, combining high quality instruction with a robust student community. This includes a Student Success Center, a Writing Center and a Tutoring Center. Students also have the opportunity to become involved and contribute to the campus community through participation in student clubs, organizations, and student leadership. The its Fitness Center, AIU offers a wide array of programs to support and inspire the wellness of the community.
The Career Services & Student Employment Center assists students in integrating their university education with their career aspirations.
AIU has been created to provide an authentic American education in Kuwait, where students can earn a top tier degree in a range of fields that are of utmost importance to our 21st-century world. Currently, AIU offers 18 undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs across five schools.
(There is a School of Film and Digital Media in development.)
AIU has established seven competencies that inform its General Education program requirements. Upon graduation, AIU students will be able to demonstrate:
AIU’s School of Architecture & Design seeks to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship and innovation.
Currently the School offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree programs in Graphic Design and Interior Design. For either program, students must complete a minimum of 121 credits including satisfaction of all degree requirements of AIU.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
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Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
