AUS celebrates cultural diversity at Global Day 2019

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS), the university’s popular annual Global Day commenced March 21. Inaugurated by Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler's Office, the opening ceremony for the 21st edition of the event was also attended by Professor Kevin Mitchell, Acting Chancellor of AUS, along with other senior university officials, faculty, staff, students and members of the campus community. 

As one of the largest events held at the university every year, Global Day highlights the cultural heritage of the many nationalities that comprise the AUS student community as it turns the university campus into a festival of color and culture. Named as the most internationally diverse university in the world, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2017-2018, AUS has students of 94 nationalities currently enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs.

Twenty-nine cultural clubs have set up pavilions at the two-day event to showcase their heritage, history, cuisine and folklore. Stalls depicting the culture of countries such as Brazil, China, Palestine, Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Korea, United States of America, among many others, grace the Main Plaza, providing visitors with a glimpse of the multicultural campus life at AUS. The outdoor dining outlets offer a wide range of cuisines. 

Lively cultural performances in the university’s Main Auditorium as well as on a special outdoor stage provide students with an opportunity to display their talents and culture through performing arts such as dances and skits. The Student Council, the Pakistani Cultural Club, the Egyptian Cultural Club, the Chinese Cultural Club, the Sudanese Cultural Club, and the Indian Cultural Club featured on the opening day of the event while the Lebanese Cultural Club, the Jordanian Cultural Club, the Iraqi Cultural Club, the Syrian Cultural Club are slated to perform on March 22.

Organized by the Office of Student Affairs, the event adopted the ‘Year of Tolerance’ as its theme in support of the government’s commemoration of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. 

Speaking on the occasion, Munketh Taha, Director of Student Development and Organizations and Acting Director of Student Athletics and Recreation, said:

“AUS is renowned throughout the region for its lively multicultural campus life. Global Day epitomizes the spirit of tolerance, camaraderie and mutual respect that is the hallmark of our university. This event provides students with an opportunity to showcase their talents as well as their cultural traditions and heritage. This year we have placed special emphasis on sustainability with regard to the construction and assembly of the many country pavilions and stalls.”

The event is open to the public from 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.