AU Scientific Research Center
The Scientific Research Center (SRC) was established to coordinate and monitor the University’s research initiatives and operations, as research is one of AU’s strategic pillars. Its goal is to promote cutting-edge research, including collaborative and interdisciplinary research on a local, regional, and international level. Faculty, infrastructure, and collaboration with organizations such as the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), international partners, local, regional, and international universities, and industry in general are all supported by the SRC.
AU’s faculty members are diverse and highly skilled, with considerable levels of competence in a wide range of subject areas. Faculty at AU work hard to educate top-notch graduates who are prepared to meet the industry’s ever-changing and difficult needs.
The research program of AU is aimed at boosting the influence and productivity of research and scholarly activities within and beyond the university, as well as across disciplines.
- Building 1, Ground Floor
- 1828225 Ext. 4432
- research@au.edu.kw
- 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday
- To enhance the research profile of AU locally and regionally.
- To create national and international impact in the field of applied research.
- To establish a research program supportive of the applied teaching model at AU.
- To create interdisciplinary and collaborative lines of research.
- To sustain strong partnerships with research and funding organizations (KFAS, KISR) and industry.
The Research Strategy provides the road map for our research vision at AU. The Strategy was developed based on the evaluation of the current research profile, AU Strategic Plan, the potential provided by different departments of the University and its main goals as a higher education institute.
The major components of the Research Strategy are:
- Provide the research mission that highlights the nature, scope, and goals of envisioned AU research profile.
- Provide a road map to achieve the mission.
- Provide the strategic goals and the mechanisms to achieve them. These goals are proposed as means to materialize the research mission and involve four dimensions: scope of research, capacity, infrastructure, and systems.
An important component of the strategy is the establishment of a governance model for AU research. This model was developed to best fit the capabilities and structure of AU. The model involves a Research Council overseeing all the research work as AU, headed by the President and assisted by the Research Center Manager. The Research Council oversees the implementation of the research strategy.
AU research themes were defined based on eight research clusters formed from AU researchers working of fields of national interest as follow:
Water and Environment
- Desalination and Water Treatment
- Sustainability and Green Buildings
- Waste Management
- Air Quality and Climate Change
- Computations Fluid Dynamics
Energy
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation
- Renewable Energy
- Production Optimization and Enhanced Oil Recovery
- Reservoir Analysis and Simulation
Materials
- Materials Behavior
- Nanotechnology
- Forensic and Repair of Construction
- Testing Methods
Mechatronics and Automation
- Electrical Machines and Controls
- Signal and Image Processing
- Control and Dynamics of Complex Systems
- Industrial Automation and Robotics
Learning Philosophies and Frameworks in Higher Education
- Project-Based Learning
- Mathematics Education for Business and Engineering
- Provisions for Learning Difficulties and Learning Support in Higher Education
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Energy
- Small & Medium Enterprises (EMEs)
- Commercialization of Products & Services
- Manufacturing
Business Management and Finance
- Organizational Behavior
- Macro and Micro Finance
Marketing Communications
- Strategic Marketing
- Consumer Behavior
- Service Marketing
- International Marketing
Dr. Feras G. Alzubi
Self-cleaning coatings for minimizing the impact of dust precipitation on the power production of solar cells utilizing mesoporous TiO2/SiO2 and ZnO/SiO2 films
Q1/
5.51
Dr. Rasha Al Jamal
A single actuator vs. multi-actuator design of an input-feedback control for the generalized Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation
Q1/
5.71
Dr. Rana Malhas
Dr. Reza Soleimanpour
Dr. Abeer Abdullah Al Anazi
Comparative investigation on defect-engineered Bi2S3-xSex for boosting photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction and in-situ H2O2 generation: Mechanistic and kinetic studies
Q1/
5.76
Dr. Sadeq Damrah
How does financial inclusion affect environmental degradation in the six oil exporting countries? The moderating role of information and communication technology
Q1/
4.46
Dr. Jean Henri El Achkar
Steam gasification modeling of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes: A case study
Q1/
5.23
Dr. Wissam Al Saadi
Investigation of engine performance, combustion, and emissions using waste tire Oil-Diesel-Glycine max biodiesel blends in a diesel engine
Q1/
7.1
Dr. Abbas Amini
Antisolvent Engineering to Optimize Grain Crystallinity and Hole-Blocking Capability of Perovskite Films for High-Performance Photovoltaics
527/
30.85
Strained Epitaxy of Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Wrinkle Arrays
382/
15.88
Ion Modification of Transition Cobalt Oxide by Soaking Strategy for Enhanced Water Splitting
223/
13.27
Advanced artificial intelligence system by intuitionistic fuzzy Γ-subring for automotive robotic manufacturing
Q1/
15
Modified Spatially Confined Strategy Enabled Mild Growth Kinetics for Facile Growth Management of Atomically-Thin Tungsten Disulfides
Q1/
15.6
Stabilization of α‐phase FAPbI3 via Buffering Interfacial Region for Efficient p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells
Q1/
19.4
Dr. Ehab Hussein Bani Hani
Exergy, Economic, And Optimization Of A Clean Hydrogen Production System Using Waste Heat Of A Steel Production Factory
215/
5.82
Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat
Climate Change And Thermo-Solar Patterns Of Office Buildings With/Without Window Films In Extreme Hot-Arid Climate Of Kuwait
181/
5.74
Exploring energy-efficient building solutions in hot regions: A study on bio-phase change materials and cool roof coatings
Q1/
7.21
Dr. Khalil Khanafer
Effect Of A Circular Cylinder And Flexible Wall On Natural Convective Heat Transfer Characteristics In A Cavity Filled With A Porous Medium
158/
5.29
Research and Industrial Collaborations
Research at AU has undergone a fundamental transformation within the last few years. The University redesigned its research strategy and governance framework to ensure that research with impact becomes a core function and a strategic priority. The University has been focusing on the following research areas: water and environment, energy, materials, mechatronics and automation, learning philosophies and frameworks in higher education, innovation and entrepreneurship, business management and finance, as well as marketing and communication. read more
Research capacity building plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, advancing knowledge frontiers, and addressing complex global challenges. Developing research capacities within AU not only enhances the quality and quantity of scholarly outputs but also contributes to societal progress by generating solutions to pressing issues. It enables the cultivation of skilled researchers, empowers faculty to mentor the next generation, and facilitates the creation of partnerships that transcend academic boundaries. Ultimately, investing in research capacity building is fundamental to driving advancements, fostering intellectual growth, and catalyzing positive change on a local and global scale.
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Writing and Presenting Research
Purpose:
This training provides a foundation for paper development and journal submission processes. The instructor covers critical elements of paper writing, discusses journal selection, and offers insights on responding to editor / reviewer comments. Participants will also learn what to avoid to increase acceptance chances by high-profile journals. Real examples of reviewer reports and published papers are examined during the workshop.
Topics covered:
1. Journal Selection Strategies
2. Developing the Paper and Establishing Flow.
3. Important Considerations for Paper Subsections
4. Responding to Reviewer Comments and Effective Revision
5. Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Papers
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWdQRboMjTo&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=1
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Literature Review
Purpose:
This training delves into the fundamentals of crafting an effective literature review, from problem formulation to research material assessment, drafting, editing, and self-reflection. It places particular emphasis on paper citation practices using Endnote and other resources.
Topics covered:
1. What Constitutes a Literature Review?
2. The Process of Writing a Literature Review
3. Literature Search Techniques
4. Data Evaluation: Selecting Relevant Literature
5. Analyzing the Literature
6. Constructing the Literature Review
7. Top Ten Citation Management Tools
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gOrIuC469E&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=2
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Grant Writing (KFAS)
Purpose:
This training provides a step-by-step guide for preparing research proposals in response to KFAS calls. Participants will learn how to develop competitive project ideas for KFAS, prepare project applications, and submit them using KFAS – Research Grants Management System.
Topics covered:
- Understanding KFAS Call for Research Proposals
- Crafting a Winning Project Proposal: Key Elements and Tips
- Preparing Supplementary Materials
- Navigating the KFAS Research Grants Management System
Links:
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Understand Measurement – Developing Questions – Designing the Questionnaire
Purpose:
This training delves into the concepts of measuring subjective properties of business and marketing phenomena, with a focus on questionnaire design for large-scale surveys.
Topics covered:
- Fundamentals of Measurement for People, Places, and Things
- Four Scales of Measurement (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio).
- Common types of Research Questions
- The Basic of Questionnaire Functionality
- Best Practices and Pitfalls in Question Wording
- Organizing a Questionnaire Effectively
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6h7Na0fREM&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=6
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Introduction to SPSS & Quantitative Data Analysis
Purpose:
This training provides an introduction to SPSS software and its fundamental functions, covering a range of data analysis techniques, from descriptive statistics to structural equation modeling.
Topics covered:
- Navigating SPSS: An Introduction to Basic Functions
- Data Analysis: Descriptive Statistics
- Data Analysis: Associative Tests (Correlation Analysis)
- Factor Analysis and Reliability Testing with SPSS
- Comparing Means with T-Tests and ANOVA
- Regression Analysis using SPSS
- Exploring Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS
Links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_d6DWucKPY&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=7
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DdiIHGW0wI&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja2jhuHsAOM&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=9
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSTS0JYjs-M&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=10
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=615D-OHhekY&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=11
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_Xzwo_aCU&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=12
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-7clhvDFos&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=13
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Design of Qualitative Research and Analysis of Interview Information
Purpose:
This training provides an overview of interview-based qualitative research, highlighting its characteristics and merits. It also covers the process of qualitative data analysis and presentation.
Topics covered:
- Types of Exploratory Research
- Advantages and Limitations of Qualitative Research
- Interviews and Focus Groups as Qualitative Data Collection Tools
- Qualitative Data Analysis and Presentation
- Ensuring Internal and External Validity in Qualitative Research
- Ethical Considerations
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfvuFtBK8ic&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=14
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Introduction to Writing and Presenting Research – Integral Training
Purpose:
This introductory training session is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to write scientific research papers effectively. It also focuses on formatting, editing, and structuring research documents.
Topics covered:
- Introduction to Microsoft Office Word for Researchers
- Creating a Professional Research Documents
- Developing Reports and Articles
- Fundamentals of Microsoft PowerPoint
- Advanced Features of Microsoft PowerPoint
- Fundamentals of Writing and Presenting Research
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZxIAk16gHE&list=PL3QbfCVZ5twhhFZUFtDFPTqNkXpl_c3AK&index=15