Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed inaugurates AUS Global Day

Global Day 2013, a most-anticipated event at American University of Sharjah (AUS), was inaugurated today, March 14, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of AUS, by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation.

AUS's first Global Day was held in 1998 with eight student organizations and 400 students. Global Day 2013, now a two-day event, represents 30 countries and participation from over 5,000 students from over 84 nationalities.

The Global Day festival represents one of the many ways in which the university reaches out to society with thousands of visitors coming to the AUS campus to enjoy the multi-cultural diversity of the university's community.

The 15th annual Global Day festival showcases the cultural heritage of the 84 nationalities represented on campus by turning the university campus into a global village. Set up across the AUS Main Plaza is a mix of pavilions that depict the traditions of countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Armenia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Palestine, Libya, India, Sudan and Egypt, among others. Themed "Peace throughout the World," Global Day 2013 showcases the different cultures represented among the AUS student body, with student clubs presenting traditional items, music and cuisine.

Organized by the Office of Student Affairs, this two-day event includes colorful indoor cultural performances in the Main Auditorium as well as on the outdoor stage, giving students a chance to parade their talent. Stage shows include dance performances and skits.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs said, "The 30 student ethnic clubs and the Student Council prepared well for this most-awaited and biggest event at AUS. Our students came up with various ideas to present their culture and heritage through their stage performances and their pavilions. I thank them for their efforts in transforming these ideas into reality and presenting them at the 15th Annual AUS Global Day.

"Global Day is more than just a cultural event; our students learn a variety of skills such as teamwork, creativity, resourcefulness, time management and many others. We are proud this event because it is by students for students," added Dr. Al Shehhi.

"We look forward to Global Day all year," said Nour Al-Ali, a double major in mass communication and English literature. "It gives us a real sense of pride being able to share our culture with our fellow students who may never get a chance to visit our home countries. In the same way, it's great fun to see the cultures our peers represented."

The opening ceremony was also attended by Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Provost and Acting Chancellor; Dr. Saleh Al Suhaaibani, the Saudi Cultural Attaché; Waleed Al Atiqi, the Omani Cultural Attaché; members of other foreign missions; AUS Vice Chancellors; senior officials; Hamdan Al Mimari, President of the AUS Student Council; as well as members of the AUS community and the general public. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, which is open to the public from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Global Day continues until tomorrow, Friday, March 15.