AUS celebrates 14th Global Day

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 kicked off its annual Global Day festival today, March 22, 2012. The festival was inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation.

Themed "Peace throughout the World," the annual festival marks its 14th year in production and seeks to spread peace and depict how diverse cultures in AUS unite and celebrate together.

The two-day event is organized by the Office of Student Affairs' Student Development and Organizations Department and features four main attractions: the World Bazaar, the Children's Corner, the Food Fair and cultural performances.

The World Bazaar, set up across the AUS Main Plaza, is a mix of pavilions depicting the cultural heritage of various nationalities represented on campus. Among the pavilions were those representing the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Armenia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Palestine, Libya, India, Sudan and Egypt.

Colorful cultural performances were held in the Main Auditorium as well as on an outdoor stage. Visitors were able to sample a wide variety of traditional food in the Food Fair, the outdoor food court.

This year's edition of Global Day also featured over 15 charitable organizations promoting awareness on humanitarian, health and safety issues.

Present at the event were His Excellency Dr. Saleh Al Suhaibani, the Cultural Attaché of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia; His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce; as well as other dignitaries and senior officials.

Also present were Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS; Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Provost; Salem Al Qaseer, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs; Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Dr. Cleve McDaniel, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration; and other senior AUS officials.

"Global Day has flourished into a mega event year after year. I thank His Highness for his support; the Student Council and students for their participation; the Office of Student Affairs for successfully implementing this event; and families and guests for attending," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

AUS's first Global Day was held in 1998 with eight student organizations and 400 students. Participants now include 27 student organizations and over 5,000 students from more than 80 nationalities.

The annual Global Day festival is the biggest event of the year at AUS. Tens of thousands of people attend the event, which is open to the public from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. each day.

The festivities will continue until tomorrow, March 23.