American University of Sharjah (AUS) has officially launched AUS Press, a new academic publishing initiative designed to advance scholarship, support translation, and strengthen knowledge exchange between the Arab world and international audiences. The announcement took place at the Warsaw International Book Fair, where Sharjah is participating as Guest of Honour with an extensive cultural and literary programme.
The launch marks a significant development in Sharjah’s growing role within global publishing, higher education, and cultural diplomacy. Moreover, AUS Press aims to create new pathways for research, intellectual dialogue, and cross-cultural engagement through a publishing platform guided by rigorous editorial standards.
The new publishing arm will focus on works of regional and international relevance, contributing to broader conversations surrounding culture, society, history, and human experience. In addition, the initiative seeks to support the translation and circulation of knowledge across linguistic and geographic boundaries, reinforcing Sharjah’s long-term investment in cultural infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of American University of Sharjah, highlighted the importance of ensuring that research reaches audiences beyond academic institutions.
“We’re launching AUS Press in the conviction that universities devote equal energy to generating knowledge and to ensuring that knowledge is then shared, translated and propagated so it can be threaded into the fabric of public conversation across diverse cultures.”
The unveiling of AUS Press formed part of Sharjah’s broader Guest of Honour programme, which brought together publishers, writers, academics, artists, and cultural institutions from the UAE and Poland. Through literature, publishing, the arts, and intellectual exchange, the programme continues to position Sharjah as a key contributor to international cultural dialogue.
First Publication Documents AUS Legacy and Educational Impact
Alongside the launch, Sheikha Bodour unveiled the press’s inaugural publication, AUS 25: American University of Sharjah, A Legacy of Learning | 1997–Today. The commemorative volume traces the university’s development from its founding in 1997 to the present day, documenting its academic growth, institutional milestones, and contribution to higher education in the region.
The publication also reflects a broader commitment to preserving institutional memory through publishing, an area that has become increasingly important within universities seeking to connect research, education, and public engagement.
Furthermore, the book establishes the editorial direction of AUS Press, which intends to publish works that bridge scholarship and wider public discourse.
Publishing Initiative Strengthens Sharjah’s Global Cultural Presence
The launch of AUS Press arrives at a time when universities are increasingly expanding their role beyond teaching and research to include publishing, translation, and knowledge dissemination. Consequently, the initiative strengthens Sharjah’s position within international publishing networks while supporting the circulation of regional perspectives on a global scale.
Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, said the launch reflects the university’s commitment to making scholarship more accessible and internationally visible.
“AUS’s participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair is a testament to the kind of university we are continuing to build: globally engaged, rooted in Sharjah’s cultural vision, and committed to giving scholarship a stronger public presence.
“Through AUS Press and our wider contribution to Sharjah’s Guest of Honour program, AUS is strengthening its presence through which ideas are researched, translated, published and shared with the world. This is an important step in advancing the university’s knowledge mission, preserving regional memory and ensuring that the intellectual and cultural contributions emerging from AUS and Sharjah reach audiences beyond campus and across borders.”