Hamd Al Ansari, an active member in the Student Leadership Program at American University of Sharjah (AUS), recently joined a UAE delegation at the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China. Spearheaded by Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, Minister of Foreign Trade in the UAE, the 60-member UAE delegation participated in seminars on topics such as UAE trade relations with China, and uncovered unutilized opportunities in renewable energy, halal food and agriculture.

The Canton Fair, which dates back to 1957, is China's largest and oldest import and export fair.

"This trip was very beneficial as it brings many important personalities in the business sector in one place, where interesting and global ideas are discussed," said Al Ansari, who is studying finance at the AUS School of Business and Administration. "The trip also contributed to my leadership skills as I was able to improve my professional communication with elite individuals from various sectors. The six-day trip provided me with an opportunity learned from the experiences of today's leaders and the challenges they go through and thus I learned a lot from their intriguing stories."

"Being part of a delegation led by Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi is an honor and an example of the accomplishment our nation has witnessed in developing successful leaders. The Office of Student Affairs and the Student Leadership Program continue to encourage students to get involved in leadership development programs both locally and internationally. Nurturing our students is our optimal goal, and our programs support students in defining themselves and understanding what they want to achieve," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.