More than 600 students were honored at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Annual Student Appreciation Awards held yesterday, April 30. The Annual Student Appreciation Awards honor students' activities outside the classrooms and promotes their success by recognizing their achievements and encouraging them to explore their interests.

Students from the AUS Student Council, sports teams, student clubs and organizations, community services volunteers, and the leadership program were recognized for their efforts at a special event held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Center, Sharjah.

The evening, organized by the Office of Student Affairs, was an opportunity to reward active students for their efforts in leadership, sport, community service, and the many diverse clubs that create a lively community on campus.

During his welcome address, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, AUS Chancellor, said:

“Take a few seconds to think about what your life would be like now if you hadn’t taken up extra-curricular activities. What if you hadn’t found your ‘voice’ in the debating club? What if you hadn’t come to see life through the eyes of people less fortunate than yourself? Who would have thought, you would be speaking at the United Nations in New York City! Or that your swimming team would win first place in Greece; or that your club would win the Outstanding Student Chapter Award, just like the AUS Chapter of the American Chemical Society did. The experience you gain from being involved in extra-curricular activities enriches your university life, enhances your career prospects, and will remain a part of you forever more.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students, said:

“We acknowledge all your efforts and the time you have devoted in out-of-class activities. We value your contributions and appreciate your achievement in sports, activities, leadership, volunteerism, multicultural events, humanitarian and social causes, awareness campaigns, sustainability drives, and many others. AUS’s student engagement opportunities and popularity of events and activities remains unparalleled. We see universities around being inspired by our signature events and activities, which is evidence that AUS provides excellent out of class opportunities.”

Eight students were awarded the Most Outstanding Active Student Award to recognize and reward their contribution and dedication to extracurricular activities throughout the academic year. The award is aimed at acknowledging the efforts, commitment and hard work of students who positively contribute to the enhancement of student life on campus. The awardees receive a certificate and an AED 5,000 tuition remission.

The winners were:

• Omar Tolba – Men’s Soccer
• Taher Amr Arafa – Men’s Swimming
• Dina Allam – Women’s Swimming
• Baraa Elgamal – Palestinian Cultural Club
• Maryam Aleter – Emirati Cultural Club
• Raghad El Saleh – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Aljawhara Al Juwaied – Community Services
• Ahmad Azari – Leadership Program

Other recipients of awards during the evening included:

• Palestinian Club – Cultural Club of the Year
• American Society for Mechanical Engineers – Interest-Oriented Club of the Year

Global Day Corner Awards:

• 1st Place: Palestinian Cultural Club
• 2nd Place: North African Clubs (Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian)
• 3rd Place: Lebanese Cultural Club
• Teamwork Award: East Asian Clubs (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Philippines)
• Creative Idea Award: Emirati Cultural Club

Global Day Performance Awards:

• 1st Place: Indian Cultural Club
• 2nd Place: Jordanian Cultural Club
• 3rd Place: Palestinian Cultural Club
• Creative Idea Award: Pakistani Cultural Club
• Teamwork Award: Syrian Cultural Club

Global Day Best Sustainable Pavilion Award

• Saudi Cultural Club