New student organizations join 127 clubs and associations at AUS Club Fair

Around 1,500 students participated each day in the two-day celebration of leadership, innovation and cultural exchange

Four new student organizations joined 127 cultural clubs, academic associations and interest-oriented clubs at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Club Fair, one of the university’s most anticipated student events.

Held on September 15 and 16, the Club Fair welcomed around 1,500 students each day, transforming the AUS campus into a vibrant showcase of student leadership, creativity, cultural exchange and community engagement.

Participating for the first time were the Swedish Cultural Club, Corporate Relations Association, Net Impact Student Chapter and The Circular Economy, reflecting the evolving interests and ambitions of the AUS student community.

“AUS Club Fair brings the energy, diversity and creativity of our student community to life while advancing one of the university’s key priorities: preparing students to lead, collaborate and contribute in a rapidly changing world. By connecting students with communities aligned with their interests and values, the fair strengthens their sense of belonging and enables them to turn their ideas into purposeful action,” said Shaima Bin Talia, Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at AUS. “The addition of four new organizations this year demonstrates our students’ initiative and responsiveness to evolving priorities, including sustainability, responsible leadership, industry engagement and cultural exchange.”

The fair featured 30 cultural clubs, 37 interest-oriented clubs and 60 academic associations. Students were able to explore club missions, meet club members, sign up for activities and register for upcoming events and competitions.

For students, joining a club extends beyond extracurricular involvement. It is a pathway to leadership, teamwork and communication skills, as well as an opportunity to build friendships and share cultures within a student body that represents 100 nationalities. Reflecting this diversity, AUS ranks among the top five universities in the UAE for its number of international students, according to the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Among the highlights was the Egyptian Cultural Club’s immersive Cairo-inspired experience, which combined cultural celebration with social impact. The club introduced visitors to different aspects of Egyptian culture while raising awareness of its collaboration with a charitable initiative supporting education.

“We wanted students to experience the energy and character of Cairo while seeing how cultural engagement can contribute to a greater purpose. This year, our participation extended beyond celebrating our identity. By connecting our activities to an educational cause, we demonstrated how student clubs can bring people together and make a meaningful contribution beyond the university,” said Ali Eldemerdash, a psychology student and President of the Egyptian Cultural Club.

Innovation also took center stage at the AUS Internet of Things Club, which participated in the Club Fair for the first time. Inspired by the film Tron: Legacy, the club’s interactive stand featured a roaming AI robot that challenged attendees with technology and film trivia and posed for photographs with them.

The club also presented a motion-tracking challenge in which participants used their fingertips to complete a digital task within a set time. A digital signature station recorded visitors’ presence on the club’s network and entered them into a prize draw.

“Our first AUS Club Fair let us show students that technology can be creative, interactive and fun. From the motion-tracking challenge and digital signature station to our roaming AI robot, every activity allowed students to experience connected technology directly,” said Adam Serhan, an electrical engineering student and President of the AUS Internet of Things Club.

The second day featured performances at the AUS Main Auditorium by the Indian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Pakistani, Palestinian and Syrian cultural clubs, celebrating music, heritage and cultural expression. The program also included the Best Club Award, which recognized creativity, engagement and presentation among the participating organizations.

AUS Club Fair highlighted the important role of student-led organizations in complementing academic learning, building a connected campus community and empowering students to make meaningful contributions within and beyond the university.

Students interested in joining an AUS club or association can find further details here: www.aus.edu/life-at-aus/student-life/clubs-and-organizations.