AUS holds Charity Mini-Marathon

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), the Office of Student Affairs in association with the Sharjah Sports Council held the Charity Mini-Marathon on Saturday, November 26, 2011 with the theme "Volunteering: A Service of Giving."

The charity run attracted more than 1,000 students from schools and universities, people with special needs, representatives from private and governmental organizations, and members of the AUS community. Participants in the race were categorized according to their age groups and ran the distance from three starting points, the longest of which is four kilometers starting from the University City gate leading to the finish line at the main AUS roundabout.

Over 90 AUS students volunteered in organizing the event and provided support to the participants. Funds generated from the event will be used to support a joint charity project between AUS Community Services and the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation to help orphans' education.

"Through events such as these, we learn how to value voluntary work and expand our understanding about social responsibility. Our commitment to academia should always be matched with our responsibility to give back to the community and to help those in need," said Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS.

Ahmad Al Fardan, Secretary-General of Sharjah Sports Council, distributed awards to the winners, congratulating them for their efforts. "I appreciate the positive and active participation of all sectors of school and university students, the handicapped, and the rest of the community. The Sharjah Sports Council, within the framework of the MOU signed with AUS, put all its administration and technical effort into this event," he said.

"This year's charity mini-marathon is part of a series of events we have organized in celebration of the 40th UAE National Day. We have chosen volunteering as this year's charity mini-marathon theme to emphasize the importance of voluntary work. Special thanks to the Office of Student Affairs staff for a well-organized event and to our partners and sponsors for supporting the event," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who was also present at the event, as well as Salem Al Qaseer, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, and other senior university officials.