Engineering student represents AUS at the “Young Leaders Sustainable Development Program 2017” at UN Headquarters

Abdulla Albanna, an electrical engineering major and an active member of the Student Leadership Program (SLP) at American University of Sharjah (AUS), gained first-hand knowledge of how global issues are addressed by leading international organizations when he represented AUS at the Young Leaders Sustainable Development Program held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York last month. Organized by Sharjah Tatweer Forum, the framework of the program was based on the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

As part of the program, Albanna got a chance to visit and meet with officials from UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee, the World Youth Congress, the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, and Engineers Without Borders and learn from them how international organizations respond to global issues.

Speaking about the enriching experience, Albanna said:

"This was a life-changing experience for me and made me look at the world from a completely new perspective. During the program, we attended the Youth Assembly in the United Nations where the Sustainable Development Goals were addressed. We also had the opportunity to meet with several organizations like UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee and Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, among others. We also attended a dinner hosted by the UAE Mission to the UN and the UAE Consulate. It was great to see first-hand how global issues are addressed and then relating them to the UAE's agenda."

Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students at AUS, said:

"At AUS, we are committed to providing our students with opportunities that broaden their horizons. This program was a wonderful opportunity for Abdulla to network and learn from the very best in the field of sustainable development. The experience had a great impact on him, giving him a better understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. We are grateful to Sharjah Tatweer Forum for providing our students with this opportunity and look forward to collaborating with them again in the future."