For example, in 2010, the newly created student Russian Cultural Club held the first youth conference on the topic: “Higher Education in the UAE: American University of Sharjah,” which was dedicated to the Year of Teacher announced in Russia. The event generally touched on higher education in the UAE and covered in detail the American University of Sharjah. The Russian private school in Dubai was chosen as the venue for the conference, so that graduates and future applicants of higher education institutions could first-hand learn about the features and differences of universities in the UAE.
Conference delegates representing the Russian Cultural Club (RKK) at the American University of Sharjah, Ramazan Galyamov, Damir Zagidullin, Dauren Zhaksygeldinov, Dinara Akhmetvalieva, Yasmin Al Movaket and Liina Hedavi, led by university professor Tatyana Petrovna Gibbs, discussed potential university entrants education in the Emirates. The conference, which had the character of the first meeting with representatives of Russian-speaking youth in the UAE, was divided into several thematic sections, including: a historical and information note about the university, the advantages of this university over others, admission requirements, teacher advice, and the public life of students in the UAE and , specifically, the activities of the Russian Cultural Club.
RKK public relations coordinator Yasmin Al Movaket and club activist Liina Khedawi began the conference with a short account of the university. They introduced the students of the school to the activities of the university since its opening and, in particular, settled on the many different specialties that can be obtained by studying at the University of Sharjah.
The vice-president of the Russian Cultural Club Damir Zagidullin dwelt in detail on the advantages of studying at the University of Sharjah and on holding various cultural and sports student events at the university. Dauren Zhaksygldinov, one of the university’s successful students, provided the students with important information about entering Sharjah American University, and Tatyana Gibbs, a Russian professor at the Business School of the same university, gave some very useful tips to future students. In turn, the current graduates of the Russian School in Dubai took advantage of the opportunity to ask the university teacher questions of interest to them. The culmination of the event was a speech by the president of the student club Ramazan Galyamov, who spoke about public life at the university, namely, the activities of the Russian Cultural Club at the American University of Sharjah. This part of the conference caused a real stir and a great desire for school graduates to join the Russian Cultural Club. Moreover, the guys agreed to hold joint events in the near future.
In conclusion, the treasurer of the student club Dinara Akhmetvalieva reminded everyone that one of the main goals of the RKK at the American University of Sharjah is the creation of the House of Russian Culture, both for citizens of the Russian Federation and CIS countries, and for everyone who wants to study the multifaceted culture of Russia in more detail customs and traditions. Club President Ramazan Galyamov added that in order to accomplish such a large-scale task, it is necessary not only the initiative of the RKK Council, but also the support of all Russian and Russian-speaking youth in the UAE. Future graduates of the Russian school with pleasure responded to the appeal of student club activists.
I must say that communication between Russian-speaking students and schoolchildren after the conference received a new impetus. The Russian Cultural Club invited a delegation from the Russian Private School of Dubai on a return visit to the American University of Sharjah. The club’s council also expressed gratitude to the administration of the Russian School in Dubai and personally to its director Marina Halikova for their assistance in organizing the first such conference of the student Russian cultural club outside of her own university.
Very soon, current students will become students of the Emirate universities, and who knows, maybe thanks to the conference, many of them will choose the American University of Sharjah for themselves.
