AUS hosts Record-Breaking Club Fair with 92 participating Clubs and Over 1,000 students in attendance

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has just concluded its most successful Club Fair yet, breaking all previous attendance and participation records. The bi-annual event, held on February 14 to 15, 2023 saw 92 clubs participate, with over 1,000 students attending. The fair offered students a chance to explore a wide range of extracurricular activities and connect with peers with shared interests.

The Club Fair is especially helpful to first-year students as they explore the many ways they can get involved on campus and establish friendships. As Dr. Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo, Executive Director of Student Experience at AUS, noted, “The Club Fair was a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved and to learn more about what the university has to offer. With 92 clubs participating, this year's fair is set to be the best one yet.”

She added: “The AUS Club Fair is the perfect destination for students to gain connections and create memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing the amazing plans and events that come from this opportunity to connect and grow with one another. And we encourage our students to mark their calendars for future Club Fairs and enjoy the vibrant community AUS is known for.”

Cultural pavilions representing 31 different cultures were on display, offering visitors a chance to experience the richness and diversity of their fellow students’ cultural heritage. The fair also saw the participation of 30 academic associations, 30 interest-oriented clubs and the Student Council, providing a memorable and lively atmosphere full of waves of laughter, songs and folklore dances. 

With 91 nationalities represented in the AUS student body, the annual Club Fair helps students experience the cultural heritage of their peers. From their decorated stalls, cultural club members spoke with guests about their various cultures and shared samples of traditional foods. This diversity has seen AUS being named among the top five universities in the world with the highest percentage of international students in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 

Furthermore, the Club Fair is a great platform for students to gain connections and create memories that will last a lifetime. As Dana Al Bukay, a second-year psychology student noted, “The Club Fair is a great chance for students to experience different countries and cultures, with many opportunities for first-time experiences such as trying new foods and learning facts about other countries. As AUS is known for its diverse student body, the fair provides a platform for students to gather and share knowledge about various traditions and cultures, all under one umbrella.”

Tuleen Khalil, a second-year student with a double major in psychology and biology and the president of NESMAH (Network of Students in Medicine and Health) Club, said: “The Club Fair offers a great opportunity to reach a wider audience and to ensure that the student body is aware of clubs like ours which constantly provide assistance to students, by students.”

Club members who organize the stalls gain important leadership skills. 

“I had an amazing experience at the Club Fair where I installed, assembled, decorated and designed the Jordanian Club booth. It was rewarding to share the rich culture of Jordan, specifically the bedouin culture, with students from diverse backgrounds. I felt proud to represent my country by giving out traditional food and explaining the significance of dishes like mansaf. As the president of the Jordanian Cub, this experience has further fueled my enthusiasm and passion for promoting cultural exchange,” said Mohammed Elayan, a third-year student majoring in computer engineering and the president of the Jordanian Club.

A highlight of the Club Fair was the award ceremony for the Best Club Fair Stands. Student votes collected through the AUS Leopard Engage online platform determined the winners in three categories: cultural, academic associations and interest-oriented clubs.

In the Cultural Clubs category, the Saudi Cultural Club, Indian Cultural Club, and Egyptian Cultural Club all came out on top.

American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Industrial Engineering Club were the winners in the Academic Association category.

Math Club, AUS Consulting Club, Entrepreneurship Club and Photography Club were the winners in the Interest-Oriented Clubs category.

The first, second and third-place winners received certificates in recognition of their spirit of patriotism and presentation creativity.

AUS is committed to providing a well-rounded education to its students and encourages them to become active community members. This event is just one of the many opportunities available for students to get involved and make the most of their university experience.

For more information on student clubs and organizations at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/life-at-aus/student-life/clubs-and-organizations.