By Zajel staff
DUBAI – Clubs Fair 2015 started off student-led activities at Zayed University Dubai on the 20th of September and encouraged students to join a club, enhance their skills and discover new talents through participation in extracurricular activities.
Fourteen clubs participated and recruited new members this week. Below are some the clubs and what to expect for 2015-2016.
Green Club
The Green Club is a brand-new volunteering club that joined Zayed University for Clubs Fair 2015. The Green Club, is led by Maitha Al Majid, a fourth-year student majoring in environmental science. One of the Green Club’s activities will be to visit local schools and teach students about sustainability. Al Majid is also working to organize a hiking trip for Zayed University Green Club members.
Happiness Club
Happiness Club also participated again this year at Clubs Fair. Sana Mohammad is a fourth-year education student and president of the Happiness Club.
Mohammad said that as part of their efforts, “In October, the Happiness Club will start Quran sessions for any students who wish to join.”
Harmony
Harmony has been a part of Zayed University for seven years, and the current advisor is Ginger Silvera, an associate professor in the department of interdisciplinary studies, and the president this year is Maryam Al Hamad, a third-year psychology student. Harmony’s events this year will mainly be concerts or other types of performances by students, faculty and staff. Last year, Harmony started a new competition called “Find the Guitar” and continues to offer music lessons.
Harmony’s vice president mentioned that the club provides music classes for its members. Also, members are able to play guitar, ukulele, and piano in the club room whenever they want to. Harmony’s members take a part in many events such as ZU’s carnivals, club fairs, and different external events.
They are aiming to participate in more events outside ZU, like performing in hospitals or doing volunteer work. Each member is able to perform her own favourite instrument like guitar, piano, ukulele, violin, electric guitars, and drums.
Harmony members say the atmosphere is close and they feel like family. If you have questions or want to join you can email harmony@zu.ac.ae.
Health Club
Aisha Al Bedwawi, the president of Zayed University Dubai’s Health Club, believes that the club is necessary as it promotes a healthy lifestyle for university students. However, Al Bedwawi mentioned that organizing events can be challenging.
“We participate in many events like this upcoming breast cancer awareness campaign in October,” said Al Bedwawi, which indicates that the club is active.
The Health Club also participates in blood donation drives and diabetes awareness campaigns.
Information Technology Students Association (ITSA) Club
ITSA Club members are planning to change the name and logo for next semester. The club’s mission is to improve communication between CTI students and college administration.The club is being renewed this semester with all new members and officers. ITSA’s advisors are Dima Alhadidi and Michelle Antero.
ITSA President Maitha Khalid joined Zayed University in 2013, and joined the club in 2015.
Khalid said ITSA is planning a trip to GITEX 2015 and believes ITSA is an excellent choice for students who enjoy technology and robotics.
International Relations Club
The International Relations Club brings various cultures and languages together to spread global awareness to students. The International Relations Club is a new club this year and the advisor is Mehrdad Mozayan, an associate professor in the department of humanities and social sciences.
Khawla Abdulla, a third-year international affairs student and president of the club, is focusing on events that will mainly be about different cultures and their languages. The International Relations Clubs aims to make a difference both inside and outside the university.
Japan Club
Hamda Al Shaiji is a third-year international affairs student and the president of the Japan Club. Japan Club has won “Most Active” club of the year at Zayed University in the past. Craft and cooking workshops, language classes and visits from Japanese universities and embassy officials are a regular part of Japan Club activities.
Al Shaiji said, “The main objective for the Japan Club is to raise awareness about Japanese culture and to create a bridge between Japan and UAE.”
Masquerade Club
Masquerade Club helps students express their creativity and talent. The club was founded in 2014, and Khulood Al Janahi from Student Life is the advisor of the club. Masquerade Club President Maha Khairi is specialising in psychology and human services as part of a sustainability sciences and humanities program and joined Zayed University in 2013.
“We are open minded about any talent. If you’re good at acting, costume designing, lighting and taking photos then you are welcome to join,” said Khairi.
Fatma Mohammed, a sophomore and a member of the Masquerade club, mentioned that the club is currently the only artistic club on Dubai campus. Masquerade Club was founded in 2014.
For one of its activities last year, club members put on a play outside the university for kindergarten students. Masquerade Club is aiming to organize more plays of this type in the future.
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club has been at the university for three years, and their advisor is Joan Abdallah, who is a student counselor in Dubai’s Student Counseling Center.
President Hassana Arif, who is a second-year psychology student, said her team are organizing different events and activities around mental health awareness day, planning visits and workshops by professional counsellors and putting together a trip to a local health center.
The Psychology Club is trying to make a difference and raise awareness about psychological topics in a fun way. Students who are interested in joining or learning more can email psychology_club@zu.ac.ae.
About the Authors
Noora Al Awadhi, Hind Mohammed, Maha Khairi, Tarifah Bin Sulayem, Shahad Haif and Maryam Al Raessi contributed to this story.
This story was originally published on Sept. 22, 2015. It was re-uploaded on Dec. 25, 2020.
