AUS partners with Muhammad Ali Center on compassion

February 05, 2026 / 1:47 PM

Sharjah24: In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah (AUS), AUS and the Muhammad Ali Center formalised a partnership that brings Sharjah into the centre’s global network, making it the first international city to contribute to the Muhammad Ali Index. The agreement will support joint research and a dedicated Sharjah report to generate internationally benchmarked insights for leaders, institutions and communities.

The agreement was signed on behalf of AUS by Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour. It was signed on behalf of the Muhammad Ali Center by Farah Pandith, Muhammad Ali Global Peace Laureate, with Lonnie Ali, Co-Founder and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, attending the ceremony.

Strengthening civic wellbeing through research

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour said Sharjah has long invested in culture, education and community life as foundations for progress. She noted that the partnership positions Sharjah as the first international city to contribute to the Muhammad Ali Index, signalling a clear intent to treat civic wellbeing with the same seriousness as economic and social development. Through AUS, she added, globally comparable evidence will be generated to guide leaders and institutions towards stronger trust, inclusion and social cohesion.

Before the signing, Her Highness met Lonnie Ali in a closed meeting, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term collaboration grounded in research, education and civic impact.

Global platform to measure compassion

The Muhammad Ali Index is a research and action platform designed to understand, measure and strengthen compassion in everyday life, placing it at the centre of Muhammad Ali’s legacy. Launched in 2025 as a 12-city US pilot, the Index combines original research, AI tools and local insights to assess how compassion is experienced, how trust is built and how communities come together. In 2026, it will expand to 20 US cities, with Sharjah becoming its first international partner.

Chancellor Laursen said Sharjah’s role reflects a clear ambition to treat compassion as a civic strength worthy of rigorous research and purposeful action. Through the partnership, AUS will support a dedicated compassion report for Sharjah, informed by global benchmarking and careful analysis.

Ali legacy highlighted at community session

Lonnie Ali said compassion was central to Muhammad Ali’s life and choices, noting that Sharjah’s commitment to education, culture and civic wellbeing reflects the values he championed. She described the emirate as a meaningful launchpad for the index’s international expansion.

The day concluded with a Community Connect masterclass featuring Lonnie Ali, moderated by Chancellor Laursen, and attended by senior Sharjah stakeholders and AUS students. The session explored Muhammad Ali’s legacy and how compassion can be practised as leadership within communities and institutions.