Volunteering Opportunities at Abu Dhabi University
Along with its expertly curated programs, world-class lecturers, and outstanding facilities, Abu Dhabi University offers its students numerous life-changing volunteering opportunities.
Indeed, volunteering brings so many personal and professional benefits.
Firstly, it allows you to widen your skill set, learn about different industries, and make various connections in sectors in which you are interested. These elements make it much easier to find a future job you love.
Volunteering can also develop your interpersonal and leadership skills, and it may help you feel more confident when public speaking or working as a team.
Most importantly, it will allow you to change and improve people’s lives and give back to the local community.
In addition, coming together with others to donate your time and effort to a project is a great bonding experience. Some of your most valuable university friendships might be formed through volunteering in Abu Dhabi.
Finally, contributing to a cause you are passionate about can improve your overall mental well-being, combat stress, and make you feel more accomplished.
As part of Abu Dhabi University’s commitment to enhancing the local community, its active and dedicated Student Affairs Department works tirelessly to provide enriching and memorable volunteering opportunities for as many students as possible.
Filled with endless special memories and priceless experiences, some examples of volunteering opportunities at Abu Dhabi University include:
The Student Council
Run by students for students, the Abu Dhabi University Student Council is a vital organization that acts as a link between the student body and the university management.
Created to address student concerns or issues and to ensure that every year group has a trusted voice, those who volunteer on the Student Council have an unmissable opportunity to develop their leadership skills significantly and positively impact Abu Dhabi University’s strategies and policies.
As a member of the Student Council, you will learn vital communication techniques, play an active role in the University, and feel the satisfaction of helping people and making a difference to your life, the lives of your fellow students, and future year groups.
The Student Leadership Workshop Series
The Student Leadership Workshop (SLW) Series enables you to develop your public speaking and communication skills through hosting and running workshops.
This allows you to showcase your expertise in a particular subject, contribute to the student community, and share valuable knowledge, tips, and advice that might help your fellow students.
Workshop leaders are encouraged to cover a wide range of subjects, with previous sessions covering topics as varied as ‘How to beat procrastination’ and ‘How to get ready for your next presentation’.
Volunteering to host a workshop is a valuable addition to your CV that future employers will notice.
Student Clubs
At Abu Dhabi University, you can join dozens of clubs dedicated to every interest, hobby, or sport you can imagine.
Spanning subjects as varied as rugby, voice acting, gaming, and astronomy, the clubs help you make friends and meet others who share your interests, develop new skills, and find new hobbies that you can pursue in the future.
Each club meets regularly for social gatherings. Many find that being part of an Abu Dhabi University club is one of the best parts of studying in the UAE capital.
However, it is essential to note that these clubs only exist thanks to the volunteer students who create and organize them.
So, if you do find a club dedicated to your preferred pastime, you can contact the Student Affairs Department and volunteer to start your own.
Or you can inquire directly with each club about how you can assist with the committee or the running of it.
The Week of Welcome
The Week of Welcome is the most important event for all first-year students. New students can feel daunted or nervous about starting university for the first time, so older students are enlisted to help with the welcome week program. Volunteering roles include taking new students on campus tours, answering any questions about life at Abu Dhabi University, or simply showing them the ropes and how to get the most out of their time as a student.
The Week of Welcome schedule also includes talks on the University’s different departments, resources and groups, meet and greet opportunities with the Student Council and the Student Affairs Department, and special sessions for international students. In addition, there are fun table tennis and air hockey tournaments, tours of the sport and wellness facilities, and cultural trips around Abu Dhabi city.
All of these activities rely on the help of volunteers. As well as making you seem more employable to businesses, volunteering in the Week of Welcome is a great way to give back to the University, ensure new students feel included and at ease, and make friends with new starters and other student volunteers.
Off-Campus Events
The Student Affairs Department organizes regular volunteering opportunities for students outside campus. This can involve helping people in need or assisting at major events throughout the city.
For instance, previous students collaborated with the Emirates Red Cross to arrange and run various activities for people of determination. Designed to help participants feel more included in the Abu Dhabi community, the students who took part were recognized for their hard work with an Aoun Community Service Award.
Speaking about volunteering at Abu Dhabi University, Mohamed Abu Ebaid, Student Affairs Coordinator, said: “We believe that the University’s ability to make a real impact, build character, and instill noble values of selflessness and generosity within its students extends far beyond classroom learning. We are proud to continue our volunteer work throughout the year, and we want to encourage as many students as possible to participate.”
To find out more about volunteering at Abu Dhabi University, please visit: https://www.adu.ac.ae/life/get-involved/volunteering-community-outreach.