American University of Sharjah (AUS) has launched the Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering (MSDAE) and will welcome its first cohort in Fall 2026, meeting growing demand for professionals who can turn complex data into decisions that improve performance, strengthen planning and guide digital transformation across sectors.
Programme Overview
Offered through the Department of Industrial Engineering in the AUS College of Engineering, the MSDAE is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their analytical capabilities while building the managerial perspective needed to lead data-driven initiatives. As organisations across the UAE and globally accelerate artificial intelligence and digital transformation agendas, the programme prepares graduates to translate data into measurable value in areas including healthcare, supply chain, manufacturing, finance and government.
Engineering Leadership for the Digital Age
Dr Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering said,
“The launch of the MSDAE is a strategic addition to our graduate education. It reflects how engineering leadership is evolving, today’s organisations need professionals who can move beyond dashboards and models to drive real outcomes, improving operations, strengthening resilience and enabling responsible, data-informed decisions. This programme brings together rigorous analytics, engineering thinking and managerial relevance to prepare graduates to lead transformation with clarity and impact.”
Programme Structure and Learning Approach
The MSDAE emphasises the ability to interpret data effectively, communicate insights with clarity and translate findings into action, supported by applied projects, collaborative learning and exposure to real challenges. It equips students to gather, organise, manage and analyse data and apply those insights to operational enhancement and long-term strategic goals. The programme also supports research and innovation aligned with the UAE’s digital transformation agenda and provides a strong foundation for graduates who wish to pursue doctoral studies.
Students can choose between two pathways: a course-only option (10 courses) or a thesis option (7 courses and a thesis), allowing them to tailor their experience to professional goals or research-focused ambitions. Structured to be completed within five years of initial enrolment, the programme offers several required and elective courses through blended learning, combining face-to-face teaching with online learning.
Curriculum and Electives
The curriculum is anchored by core courses in data analytics and visualisation, optimisation and predictive analytics and machine learning, and supported by electives spanning topics such as big data analytics, supply chain analytics, quality engineering analytics, AI in industrial engineering systems, engineering consulting and customer analytics and emerging technologies, alongside selected approved courses from related disciplines such as deep learning.
Dr Abdulrahim Shamayleh, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering at AUS said,
“What makes this programme stand out is its engineering-first approach to analytics, grounding advanced methods in optimisation, machine learning and real decision contexts while building the ability to communicate insights responsibly and effectively. Graduates will be prepared to design data-driven solutions that consider not only performance, but also broader public, social, environmental and economic factors, exactly what industry and government require from analytics leaders today.”
Flexible Study Options and Student Support
The MSDAE is designed with working professionals in mind, offering full-time and part-time study options scheduled to suit those in the workforce. AUS also offers graduate students assistantships and work-study opportunities, including Graduate Research Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships, providing financial support alongside hands-on experience in research and teaching. AUS undergraduate students may also pursue the programme through an Accelerated Master’s Programme pathway, allowing eligible students to count select graduate courses toward both degrees.
Expanding Academic Offerings
With the launch of the MSDAE in Fall 2026, the AUS College of Engineering will expand its academic offering to a portfolio of 10 undergraduate programmes, 11 master’s programmes and four PhD programmes.
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