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After spending over two decades in the corporate world, Moiza Moin Shah found her true passion in sharing knowledge and mentoring young professionals. This newfound interest ignited a desire in her to pursue academia, leading her to the American University of Sharjah (AUS) for a PhD in Finance. The university’s strong reputation for research, coupled with its resources and faculty, provided the ideal environment for Shah to get deeper into her chosen field.
“I believe AUS offers the perfect environment to achieve my aspirations of becoming an educator, researcher, and mentor,” Shah says. “I am eager to both contribute to and benefit from the vibrant academic community here.”
Established in 1997, AUS is now a regional leader with a graduate network that includes ministers and business leaders. Home to the School of Business Administration (SBA), AUS offers a range of programmes consistently ranked among the world’s top 200, including Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Finance, and PhD in Finance. In 2022, the MBA programme ranked in the top 11 in the Middle East and Africa and the top 250 globally. The SBA will also launch the Master of Science in Economics and Policy (MSEP) in Fall 2024.
The American University of Sharjah master’s and PhD programmes combine practical experience with academic learning. Source: American University of Sharjah
To ensure curriculum relevance and alignment with industry trends, the SBA faculty actively seeks advanced training, conducts research on industry-relevant topics, and maintains strong relationships with business graduates. The SBA administration also regularly consults with industry leaders and engages with its advisory board to stay ahead of industry needs. “We conduct surveys amongst employers to understand their needs in terms of skills and knowledge that our students should have and update our curriculum accordingly,” says Prof. Dr. Anis Samet.
The best part? All SBA programmes prioritise experiential learning, with hands-on experiences, professional certifications, and industry exposure woven into the curriculum. Just ask Shah, who had the opportunity to engage in several real-world research projects during her coursework. “These experiences have profoundly enriched my academic journey by bridging theoretical concepts with practical research applications,” she says. “Engaging in these projects has cultivated my exploratory, analytical, and critical thinking skills and deepened my understanding of the subject matter, both of which are essential requirements for becoming a high-calibre researcher.”
Alongside coursework, working as a Graduate Research Assistant with professors has provided Shah with valuable mentorship and insights into the research process, from formulating hypotheses to interpreting results. This experience prepared her well for future research endeavours and publications.
Syeda Mahbuba Ayesha Munni, an MBA student who had the opportunity to work on a real-world project with Samsung, agrees. “We were tasked with developing a marketing strategy for Samsung’s S24 [phone model],” she says. “By the end of the project, I almost started feeling like I worked for Samsung as I pitched our ideas. This experience was incredibly engaging and allowed us to apply classroom knowledge to a practical scenario.”
The American University of Sharjah is ranked second in UAE for employer reputation in 2025. Source: American University of Sharjah
Most faculty members are engaged in research related to important industry issues within their disciplines. Consequently, master’s level classes often include real-world case studies, and all graduate students are required to conduct independent research for their thesis or dissertation. These research projects often involve current hot topics and require engagement with industry practitioners.
Recent MSF theses have explored the global impact of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, the performance of celebrity-sponsored special purpose entities, and the impact of CEO narcissism on post-IPO stock market performance. Other recent publications by finance graduate students include research on money laundering and the sustainability performance of Islamic banks.
What’s more, students get to collaborate with faculty on research projects — something Waleed Ihsan, a PhD in Finance student can attest to. “I worked closely with my supervisor, Dr. Mohsen, on a research project targeted for publication in a well-reputed journal,” he says. “My primary role was conducting an extensive literature review and identifying how our work contributes uniquely to the existing body of knowledge. This project allowed me to delve deeply into academic literature and understand how theoretical research addresses real-world business issues.”
AUS’s commitment to providing students with practical, industry-relevant education has not gone unnoticed. The university ranks second in employer reputation in the UAE — employers see AUS alumni as among the most job-ready graduates from universities in the country.
To further enhance students’ employability and career readiness, SBA offers a comprehensive suite of support services, including employer networking opportunities, career coaching, skills workshops, internships, and alumni outreach programmes. These initiatives ensure that graduates not only possess academic prowess but also the practical skills and professional networks necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.
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