Government and private organizations help raise awareness at AUS

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), the university held the Annual AUS Awareness Day today, March 6.

The day-long event is designed to spread awareness of health, social, environmental and safety issues among students and the general public and featured the participation of prominent government and private organizations.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Peter Heath, AUS Chancellor; Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Provost; Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Salem Al Qaseer, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs; and other senior university officials.

"We encourage our students to make the most of Awareness Day as it gives them a chance to stop and examine their own health and wellbeing without leaving the campus. The turnout today has been quite impressive, and I am pleased to see the level of interest our students have shown in issues of health and safety," said Dr. Al Shehhi.

Participating organizations included Friends of Cancer Patients, Friends of Arthritis Patients, and Friends of Diabetes; Supreme Council for Family Affairs (Health Promotions), Sharjah; Sharjah Police; Sharjah Civil Defense; Noor Dubai Foundation; Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation; Sharjah Medical District (Preventive Medicine); Maternal and Child Healthcare Center, Sharjah; Alihsan Charity Center; Dubai Sports Council (Dubai Pulses); Human Appeal International; Department of Health and Medical Services Dubai (Blood Donation Center); Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority; Dubai Foundation for Women and Children; Safe and Sound, Dubai; Sharjah Municipality; Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services; and Al Serkal Group.
All the participating organizations distributed handouts and informed the attendees about social and cultural issues. Stalls were also set up to check blood sugar and pressure, while a blood donation campaign was also organized on one side of the Student Center.

The event, organized by the AUS Office of Student Affairs' Community Services Division, attracted a large number of students, faculty, staff, as well as members of the media.