AUS students vote to elect representatives

Students at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) voted yesterday to elect members to their Students Council for the year 2001-2002.

Some 20 candidates from different faculties at the university contested the election for 13 positions, while over 2,000 students cast their votes to elect their representatives.

This was the fourth election for the AUS Student Council since it was set up in 1997.

"The main objective of holding these elections is to form a students' government at the campus to help them solve their problems, organise students' activities and make the university a better place, giving them democratic rights to raise their voice about their concerns," explained Ezz Taha, Manager – Students' Affairs, who supervised the elections.

He said that the elections were held to choose students' representatives for the Student Council following the directions by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who takes a special interest in students' affairs at the university.

"The Sharjah Ruler, who is also President of the AUS, wants an elected student body to liaise between students and the university administration," he said.

He added that this year the students had shown great interest in Students Council elections because they wanted a strong body to represent them. He said that the voter turnout was also very good as most students cast their votes from 10 am to 4 pm.

The main contest was for the post of President of the Council. Two candidates – Ehsan Al Khoohji from the University's College of Arts and Sciences and Mohammed Al Thani from the College of Business Administration – contested for the post.

There was no contest for the other seven main positions as candidates were unanimously elected for these positions.

Eisa Khalid Eisa was the only candidate for Internal Vice-President, and Khulood Qayed ran for the post of External Vice-President. Hiba Haitham was elected Treasurer, Samma Taha Secretary, Mohammed Shaker Events and Activities Co-ordinator; Wisam Al Achy Athletics and Sports Co-ordination, and Ahmad Naja Communication and Media Co-ordinator.

Elections were also held for a special position of co-ordinator for each faculty of the college. Ahmed Al Abri, Sharif El Shater and Mouna contested for the post of Business and Management Co-ordinator.

Rani Taha and Ibrahim Nassar fought for the post of Co-ordinator in the College of Engineering. Ahmed Al Halabi and Arif Mourtada contested for the Co-ordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Saeed Al Qaidi was pre-elected Co-ordinator for the Intensive English Programme section, while Mahood Keli was made Co-ordinator for the School of Architecture and Design.

Ehsan Al Khoohji, one of the candidates for the top slot of President, told Gulf News that his main objective in contesting the election was to interact with students, guide them on various issues related to studies, sports and extra-curricular activities, and help them solve their problems.

"Making the Students' Council a real representative body is my aim, so that a larger number of students benefit from it," he noted.

Mohammed Al Thani, the second candidate for the position of President, said that he wanted to make the campus a better place for all the students.

"I will try to have better liaison between students and the administration, try to get parking shades for the dormitories and taxi facility for students at the campus".

Al Thani studies in the College of Business Administration.

Official results will be announced today.