AIA Middle East Signed an MOU with the School of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University in Dubai (AUD)

The School of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University in Dubai (AUD) signed an agreement with The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Middle East Chapter during a ceremony held at the newly inaugurated Glass House on campus. The partnership will build strong relations between AUD and AIA ME and develop academic and cultural interchange in the areas of education, and research among others. Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Dean of the School, commented:

“I think that it is only natural that Architecture students at AUD feel part of a larger and world-leading professional community such as the AIA, first by creating an AIA Students chapter and now by signing a MoU with AIA ME. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Georges Kachaamy without whom this would have never been achieved.”

The agreement was signed by AUD President Dr. Lance de Masi and AIA ME President Mr. Sherif Anis, in the presence of Dr. Jihad Nader, Provost/Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Dean of the School of Architecture, Art and Design, Dr. Georges Kachaamy, Assistant Professor of Architecture at AUD and Director of Continuing Education of the AIA ME, as well as faculty members and students and representatives from AIA.

“AIA Middle East is excited by the relationship it shares with AUD by the signing of this MoU. AIA Middle East aspires to afford a seamless transition from education to practice. We look forward to providing support, events, and activities for students, Associate and International Associate AIA members, Young Architects and Fellows of the AIA” expressed Mr. Sherif Anis.

As part of this continuous collaboration, Dr. Georges Kachaamy was recently appointed as the Director of Continuing Education of the American Institute of Architects Middle East Chapter, a prestigious role that will benefit both the Department of Architecture and the School of Architecture, Art, and Design at AUD, bridging the gap between practice and academia.

Additional areas of collaboration have been stressed upon in the MoU. These include the establishment of training programs and transfer of knowledge mechanism for faculty and trainers such as AIA Continuing Education System, exchange of publications, joint research projects, conferences, seminars, training, and cultural programs.

Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for more than 83,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857.