By Fatma Alnuaimi
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH – Dr. Nidhal Guessoum, a professor of physics and astronomy at the American University of Sharjah was appointed as the first endowed chair in the College of Arts and Sciences, the university announced Monday.
Dean Dr. Mahmoud Anabtawi of the College of Arts and Sciences congratulated Guessoum on his appointment as the Sheikha Nama Majid Al Qassimi Endowed Chair in Education Across Disciplines.
The position is named for the woman who in 1964 became the first female teacher in the UAE.
Guessoum holds master’s and doctoral degrees in physics and astrophysics from the University of California at San Diego. He spent two years as a post-doctoral researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Since joining AUS in 2000, his administrative roles have included serving as chair of the Physics Department, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and president of the Faculty Senate.
Guessoum’s accomplishments include extensive publishing credits in different languages and on a variety of subjects.
Commenting on his appointment, Guessoum told the MCM Media Hub: “I am particularly delighted with the appointment stressing education across disciplines and to be carrying the legacy of a remarkable and influential woman.”
