By Dipo Olowookere
The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), has celebrated one of its most-anticipated annual events; its 6th Global Day.
AURAK, which boasts a student body of 49 nationalities from across the six inhabited continents, saw its campus flooded by a vibrant festival of color and sound, attracting visitors from across Ras Al Khaimah and beyond., demonstrating the extent to which AURAK has established itself as a regional hub in terms of education and culture.
A mini village which was established, consisting of booths serving traditional food and displaying cultural artefacts, included several countries from across the Middle East and North Africa region, such as the UAE, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Syria, as well as a diverse range of other nations, including Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan and the United States.
Speaking at the event, while wearing an outfit celebrating his Cherokee heritage, Dr. Lee ‘Rusty’ Waller, dean of student services and enrollment management, stated, “Global Day is one of our most important events in terms of cultural exchange. This represents a means to get to know one another and to learn to appreciate each other’s culture. Through this, we learn how to understand and work together.”
Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, the university’s president, echoed these sentiments, claiming, “This is one of the university events that I am always looking forward to. I am extremely proud of the diversity we have at AURAK. It is important to celebrate cultures other than our own, and to promote understanding and acceptance. As our university grows I hope to see even more nationalities represented here.”
Prof. Al Alkim was also keen to stress how this year’s Global Day is a sign of the university’s development, pointing out, “Five years ago I witnessed this event for the first time as AURAK president. What we have now does not compare. Our student body has increased tenfold and the campus has expanded dramatically. What we have achieved in this short time is remarkable, but we are only just getting started. There is much more to come.”
The celebrations ran deep into the evening, with traditional performances, music and dancing, and other exhibitions of national heritage.
Modupe Gbadeyanka