Performance Enhancement of Field-Oriented Induction Motor Control

A Master of Science thesis in Electrical Engineering by Ahmad Rizwan entitled, “Performance Enhancement of Field-Oriented Induction Motor Control”, submitted in May 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Rached Dhaouadi and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Habib Ur Rehman. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).College of EngineeringDepartment of Electrical EngineeringMaster of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE

Optimal Participation of Virtual Power Plants in Energy Markets

A Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation in Engineering Systems Management by Fatemeh Marzbani entitled, “Optimal Participation of Virtual Power Plants in Energy Markets”, submitted in April 2025. Dissertation advisor is Dr. Ahmed Osman and dissertation co-advisor is Dr. Mohamed Hassan. Soft copy is available (Dissertation, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).College of EngineeringDepartment of Industrial EngineeringPhD in Engineering - Engineering Systems Management (PhD-ESM

Low-Complexity Machine Learning-based Behavioral Modeling of Power Amplifiers

A Master of Science thesis in Electrical Engineering by Mohammad Rabih Aziz entitled, “Low-Complexity Machine Learning-based Behavioral Modeling of Power Amplifiers”, submitted in July 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Oualid Hammi. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).Linearization is the process of countering the effects of the distortions introduced by power amplifiers when they are driven close to saturation. Digital Predistortion is a popular linearization technique in which a predistorter distorts the input to the power amplifier by applying an inverse function to its behavioral model. The result is a distortion-free output from the transmitter. In this way, behavioral modeling is an important aspect of the linearization process. Among the various behavioral models that have been studied over the years, Neural Networks, or Multiayer Perceptrons, have gained popularity for their ability to capture intricate and dynamic details of the power amplifier’s behavior. Interestingly, it is of great interest to reduce the complexity of these models, as the predistorters are often constrained by computational power and storage limitations. With this motivation, clever preprocessing, optimal model selection, unstructured pruning and quantization are investigated in this work. Specifically, networks with two different input basis functions – RVTDNN and ARVTDNN – are trained on selectively sampled data and optimal models among the pool of implemented models are selected using the Bayesian Information and Akaike Information Criteria. Then, pruning and quantization are applied to the set of optimally selected memory models. Additionally, three more metrics, the NMSE, MSE, and storage size, are used for a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the complexity-performance paradigm. As per the findings, pruning resulted in significant model compression, in terms of the number of parameters, and little impact on the performance for up to 30% sparsity in both models. Further model compression, in terms of storage size, was also observed for both models and their sparse versions after quantization. Moreover, this work introduces Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks for the first time in the discourse on power amplifier behavioral modeling. The results show that two implemented models – RVTDKAN and ARVTDKAN – achieved an NMSE of -37.78 dB and -38.03 dB, respectively, outperforming their Multilayer Perceptron counterparts and demonstrating superior modeling capabilities with a lower parameter count.College of EngineeringDepartment of Electrical EngineeringMaster of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE

The Impact Of Digitalization On Marketing Strategies Used By Tech Companies

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) by Sara Alhammadi entitled, “The Impact of Digitalization Oo Marketing Strategies Used By Tech Companies”, submitted in January 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Norita Ahmad. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).Digital transformation has profoundly altered marketing strategies within the technology sector of the United Arab Emirates. Understanding the influence of digitalization on marketing is essential before exploring the diverse digital marketing tactics utilized by companies. The concepts of digital marketing campaigns and digital marketing strategies are often conflated, though they differ significantly. Digital marketing campaigns consist of targeted actions executed as part of a broader digital marketing strategy, aimed at progressing toward defined goals. These strategies are crucial for enhancing customer engagement, with personalization emerging as a fundamental aspect of contemporary marketing. By customizing interactions to align with individual customer preferences, businesses can foster a greater sense of value and satisfaction among their clientele. Feedback from dissatisfied customers serves as a critical resource for organizational growth. Digital marketing enables companies to interact with clients and gather essential insights to improve their products or services. Technology firms capitalize on these opportunities to engage directly with their target audience, effectively presenting their offerings to key decision-makers. Therefore, the thesis proposal focuses on the implementation of digital marketing strategies in the technology sector of the United Arab Emirates, employing a literature review to draw meaningful conclusions on the evolving marketing demographics and digital environment in the region.School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA

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College of EngineeringDepartment of Civil EngineeringMaster of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE

Shear Strength Behavior of Tire Shred-Dune Sand Admixtures

A Master of Science thesis in Civil Engineering by Abrar Ahmad entitled, “Shear Strength Behavior of Tire Shred-Dune Sand Admixtures”, submitted in July 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Magdi El-Emam. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).The use of construction and demolition waste in geotechnical applications has emerged as an effective and sustainable approach to enhancing soil performance while reducing environmental impact. Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) has demonstrated significant potential as a soil stabiliser, improving shear strength properties, bearing capacity, and overall soil performance. Despite the widespread availability of dune sand in the UAE, its use in geotechnical engineering is often limited due to its inadequate shear strength and poor gradation. Mechanically stabilized due to sand with RCA reinforcement could be a potentially suitable backfill material for many civil infrastructures. Although several studies have investigated the application of recycled aggregates in soil stabilisation, there is still a lack of agreement about the optimum RCA content and particle size to improve shear strength. This study aims to examine the shear strength characteristics of RCA-dune sand mixes with varying RCA concentrations and particle sizes, and to identify the optimal mix configuration for backfill applications. The main soil parameters were peak and residual shear strength, internal friction angle, stiffness (G₅₀), and ductility. Three RCA gradations (5–10 mm, 10–20 mm, and a 50:50 blend of both sizes) were utilised to evaluate 52 samples with RCA content of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight using a specially made large-scale direct shear (LSDS) equipment. Experiments were performed under initial normal stress of 20, 40, 60, and 100 kPa. The findings indicated that the incorporation of RCA substantially enhanced the shear strength of dune sand, with maximum strength improvements reaching 157% relative to pure dune sand. The 10–20 mm RCA at 30% composition yielded the maximum shear strength and internal friction angle of 59.01°, while the peak residual friction angle of 45.2° was recorded at the same composition. Nevertheless, stiffness often decreased beyond 30% RCA due to increased voids and particle segregation. These findings offer significant insights into the possibility of utilising RCA as a dune sand stabiliser in arid regions such as the UAE and support the wider implementation of sustainable construction techniques.College of EngineeringDepartment of Civil EngineeringMaster of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE

INScription: Department of International Studies (INS) Issue #27 (January 28, 2025, Issue 5)

College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of International Studie

The Business Value of Digital Transformation in the Tourism Industry: A Multi-Country Comparison

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) by Sara Hassanin entitled, “The Business Value of Digital Transformation in the Tourism Industry: A Multi-Country Comparison”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Taisier A. Zoubi. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA

The Effects of Subtitles on Second Language Vocabulary Learning

A Master of Arts thesis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) by Shaymaa Hesham Abouelasaad entitled, “The Effects of Subtitles on Second Language Vocabulary Learning”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Ji Young Shim and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Ozgur Parlak. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).Language teachers have long been encouraged to integrate modern technologies into their instruction to enhance language learning, particularly through practices that can be extended beyond the classroom setting (Ercan, 2020; G‘aniyeva, 2024). One such approach involves incorporating intralingual and interlingual subtitles into audiovisual materials. This study examined the effects of intralingual (English) and interlingual (Arabic) subtitles on incidental vocabulary learning among native Arabic speakers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an underrepresented demographic in existing research. The study involved 125 upper-intermediate English learners enrolled in the Basic Academic Writing course (WRI 001) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Using a pretest-intervention-posttest design, participants were assigned to one of four groups: Experimental Group 1 (Arabic subtitles), Experimental Group 2 (English subtitles), Control Group 1 (No subtitles), and Control Group 2 (No dialogue). To analyze the data, linear mixed-effects (LME) models were fitted using the lme4 package in R (Bates et al., 2015). Results revealed a statistically significant effect in the meaning recall test, with Experimental Group 2 (English subtitles) outperforming Control Group 1 (no subtitles) when words are encountered multiple times. However, no significant differences were found between groups in the form recognition and meaning recognition tests. These findings highlight the pedagogical potential of intralingual subtitles in supporting incidental vocabulary learning and provide insights for L2 teaching strategies.College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of EnglishMaster of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL

Co-Branding and their Effectiveness on Memorable Experiences: With Special Reference to Luxury Hotels

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) by Dorrin Vahid entitled, “Co-Branding and their Effectiveness on Memorable Experiences: With Special Reference to Luxury Hotels”, submitted in May 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mohammed Sajid Khan. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).This study investigates how co-branding affects word-of-mouth and electronic word-of-mouth behaviors, memorable guest experiences, brand image, and intention to return to Dubai's luxury hotel industry. The study investigates how strategic alliances between luxury hotels and well-known brands affect consumer attitudes and behavior using a mixed-methods methodology that combines focus group and survey data. According to qualitative research, co-branding enhances sensory experiences, emotional involvement, and perceived prestige, all of which significantly helps in the creation of memorable experiences. According to quantitative findings, co-branding considerably improves memorable experiences and the revisit intention, but its direct impact on brand image is less apparent than expected, possibly as a result of a small sample size. Strong determinants of guest loyalty and positive word-of-mouth behaviors were found to be memorable experiences, highlighting the significance of emotional and sensory connections in luxury hospitality. The report emphasizes that when supported by outstanding service quality, authentic and well-aligned co-branding initiatives can generate enduring impressions and brand advocacy. The managerial implications point to the necessity of properly chosen collaborations that satisfy visitors' demands for exclusivity and customization. In order to validate and extend these findings across more comprehensive contexts and longitudinal frameworks, further research options are suggested, recognizing limitations relating to sample size, cultural specificity, and cross-sectional design.School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA