Thousands of students gathered for Club Fair 2025 at American University of Sharjah (AUS) on September 16–17, transforming the Main Building into a hub of energy and color. Over two days, the students explored 130 clubs and organizations, including 39 cultural clubs, 39 interest-oriented clubs and 52 academic associations, setting a new record for club participation in the fair’s history.
The growth was evident, with an 11 percent rise in active clubs compared to last year. Seven new organizations joined the lineup, from academic groups such as the Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics Engineering Club and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and Networks and Information Technology, to cultural societies including the Tunisian and Venezuelan clubs, further enriching the AUS student experience.
“This year’s Club Fair highlighted the best of AUS, our diversity, creativity and sense of community,” said Shaima Bin Taliah, Vice Chancellor for Student Experience. “Clubs are an essential part of the AUS journey. They empower students to lead, to build lasting friendships and to develop skills that prepare them for success long after graduation.”
Among the most distinctive booths was the Emirati Cultural Club, which recreated a traditional men’s wedding majlis. With Arabic coffee, incense and dates welcoming visitors, the booth highlighted values of hospitality while also sparking conversations about community participation and government support for newlyweds.
“We wanted to create something that is both deeply cultural and socially relevant,” said Rawdah Bin Sulaiman, international studies student and Executive Assistant of the Emirati Cultural Club. “By showcasing the traditions of Emirati men’s weddings, we are helping the AUS community experience an important part of Emirati life.”
The Student Council offered a different kind of spectacle with its blockbuster-themed booth, encouraging students to “find their scene.” Designed as a movie set, the booth featured quizzes, interactive games and cinematic visuals. “This year’s Club Fair was an experience to remember,” said Anas El Sayed, a finance student and Vice President of the Student Council. “We wanted students to feel like the stars of their own stories as they explored the clubs and communities that will shape their AUS journey.”
The festive spirit extended to cultural showcases, with the Indian, Jordanian and Palestinian Cultural Clubs performing on the second day in the Main Auditorium. Their music and dance drew large crowds and reinforced the sense of a global community on campus.
For students, joining a club is more than an extracurricular activity. It is a pathway to leadership, teamwork and communication skills, as well as an opportunity to build friendships and share cultures within a student body that represents 100 nationalities.
AUS is well recognized for its multicultural environment, ranking first in the UAE in its number of international students (QS World University Rankings 2026). Globally, it ranks fourth in international student diversity.
