AUS trains 57 new student peer leaders

A group of 57 dynamic students at American University of Sharjah (AUS) attended a special orientation and training workshop held recently as part of the Peer Leaders Program for this year. The workshop, organized by the university's Office of Student Affairs, was conducted by former student leaders who were promoted to team leaders this year.

"The training played an important role in guiding and informing students about their duties and responsibilities as peer leaders," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. "We are pleased with the growth we witnessed with the Peer Leaders Program. We have seen an increase of student involvement from last year that went from 26 students in the program in 2010-2011 to 57 students this year. It is great to see our students optimistic and demonstrate their will to serve, mentor and help new students. This program is intended to build confidence amongst students and we will continue to educate and equip students focusing on individual leadership development and demonstration," she added.

Mohammad Hukuan, team leader and a senior in electrical engineering said, "We are on the right track in promoting the Peer leaders Program and helping new students in easing their transition into university life. We can see this just by the fact that we were only 26 students last year and the number has more than doubled this year. This makes me feel that we've achieved something, which was the main reason why I joined the Peer Leaders Program. I hope by next year, we will have more students join the program and hopefully the current peer leaders will continue our mission and will be future team leaders."

The Peer Leaders Program is based on the underlying principle that peers strongly influence the development of attitude and behaviors of one another. The main role of the peer leaders is to ease the transition of new students from high school to university life by being their guides, mentors and friends. The program requires peer leaders to adopt two to five new students during orientation day and ensure that they transition comfortably into university life. In addition to benefiting freshmen, this program also provides the participating students with opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership and interpersonal skills.

"Peer leaders present a sense of responsibility and discipline for new students. The training session helps blend these characteristics in each one of us. As part of the Student Leadership Program we not only will help others but are a part of a very productive experience," said Bilal Maarouf, peer leader and a junior in mechanical engineering.

Peer leaders are selected on the basis of their good conduct and sound academic standing in order to exert a positive influence on the incoming students. Their duties will be ongoing as they will serve as peer leaders for the entire academic year 2011-2012. An interactive presentation highlighting the characteristics of effective leadership and the goals and responsibilities of peer leaders was presented to the group during the training. The leaders were presented with a welcome kit consisting of small symbolic objects that aptly summarized their duties. All in all, they enjoyed an afternoon making friends within the program and sharing their ideas about executing their tasks.