| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.78 |
| Liaison | Julia Carlow |
| Submission Date | July 25, 2024 |
American University of Sharjah
AC-5: Immersive Experience
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Julia
Carlow Acting Head of Sustainability Sustainability |
Does the institution offer at least one immersive, sustainability-focused educational study program that is one week or more in length?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused immersive program(s) offered by the institution:
Transformative Sustainability Project (TSP)
The Transformative Sustainability Project (TSP) is a pioneering initiative led by the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in collaboration with Haverford College, Dickinson College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Supported by the Stevens Initiative, TSP has engaged over 1000 US and UAE undergraduate students in transnational virtual exchanges focused on addressing global challenges through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through paired interdisciplinary courses, students gain theoretical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and cross-cultural understanding. TSP utilizes innovative technologies to facilitate collaboration, providing inclusive opportunities for traditionally underserved groups. Participants also benefit from unique experiences, such as attending COP28 in the UAE, where they engage with real-world discussions on climate action. Beyond academic enrichment, TSP fosters empathy and global citizenship, empowering future leaders to address interconnected challenges with resilience and innovation.
The TSP was initiated by Kristina Katsos, Instructor in the Department of International Studies at AUS and TSP Principal Investigator and Program Manager. The project began in academic year 22/23 and has been running for 2 iterations.
The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa; shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption.
Website URL where information about the institution’s immersive education programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information received from Kristina Katsos, Instructor, Department of International Studies, on May 02, 2024
Supporting press release:
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