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Abu Dhabi University (ADU) hosted its annual Alumni Homecoming reunion iftar to celebrate its 15^th anniversary.  Held in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, the reunion provided an opportunity for ADU Alumni to strengthen and foster ties between fellow alumni.

More than 100 alumni have come home for the ADU reunion to join in the celebrations and reconnect with friends, faculty and staff. Organized by the Employability and Alumni Relations Office, a division of the Student Affairs Department, along with the Community Relations Office, the event was attended by Professor Waqar Ahmad, Chancellor at ADU, Salem Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations and Rachel Baldwin, Director of Student Affairs.

Baldwin commented, “We are proud to have celebrated 15 years of excellence and development with our pioneering group of alumni who were integral in our success story and have gone on to distinguish themselves and come back to share their own success stories. ADU advocates a culture of achievement through engaging academics, global accreditations and affiliations, empowering its diverse students to be the leaders of tomorrow. The university boasts an impressive record of institutional achievements in several areas including academic, research and community engagement.”

The event was sponsored by a number of prestigious partners including Western Motors, Amira Jewels, Pearly Smile Dental Care and Elyzee Day Surgery Care Medical Center. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to ADU students interested in interning abroad.

Baldwin added, “We are immensely grateful to see the spirit of sharing and tolerance come alive at the event, which was evident by the rich diversity of alumni who have attended.  ADU extends its thanks to the sponsors for their support and contribution in making this event another success for the university.” 

Malcolm Cooper, General Manager of Western Motors said, “We are pleased to have been part of this grand alumni homecoming, which allow us to further strengthen our relationship with one of the emirate’s leading universities. Highlighting Western Motors’ role as corporate citizens, we have worked with ADU on multiple occasions with the aim of reinforcing the university’s efforts in encouraging students and alumni to become impactful members of our community; thereby, serving the UAE’s thriving economy.”

Kellye Ann Blackburn, Senior Manager of Employability and Alumni Relations, “It was a great pleasure welcoming ADU Alumni at this Homecoming Iftar reunion, some of which have flown in from their home countries to be part of the reunion. We aimed to make our guests leave with a renewed sense of pride and excitement of the university’s next chapter of development.”

As part of the event, ADU awarded Chemical Engineering graduate, Fasila Hanifa, for her outstanding contribution in offering career and employment support to ADU students. Hanifa helped a number of students receive full-time employment at reputable institutions.

ADU alumni were eligible to enter a raffle draw to win a premium diamond set from Amira Jewelry and a 2019 Jeep Compass. ADU gave away the special prizes to the two lucky winners of the raffle draw held during the event.

The event sponsors also included level 99, Marriott Dubai Harbour Hotel & Suites, Grand Millennium Dubai, dusitD2 kenz hotel, Skyhub Gyrocopter, Quality Care Medical Center, K-Corner, Clinica Joelle Abu Dhabi, Sacoor Brothers, Scarvet, Europcar, UPIM, Lifeline Wellness, Famous Daves, House of nature, Nutrilite, Let's Talk Lassi and Tea Café, Pandora, Saadiyat Beach Club, Nail-a-Holics Day Spa, Al Yateem Optical, Leopold's of London.

Including this year's 1782 graduates, the university has graduated more than 16,000 students since its establishment in 2003. Abu Dhabi University has allocated AED13 million to scholarships and financial aid for the second semester of the academic year 2018-2019. Since the program’s inception, ADU's Scholarships and Financial Aid Fund has eased the financial burden of more than 8,643 students through contributing over AED151 million.

During the holy month of Ramadan, ADU has launched the ‘Our Youth Our Responsibility, Our Zakat Our Immunity' initiative for the ninth consecutive year in collaboration with the Zakat Fund. The initiative, which is open to the public for donation, aims to extend aid to 500 students of different nationalities who are eligible to receiving the zakat as per the criteria set forth by the Zakat Fund.

Donors can donate either via cash or bank check by submitting the donations directly to the Zakat Fund or Abu Dhabi University, using the name of the initiative ‘Our Youth Our Responsibility, Our Zakat Our Immunity'. Donors can also transfer the donations via bank to the Zakat Fund account number: 16420661, IBAN AE300500000000016420661 (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) or by sending an SMS with the code U or using 8010 for AED 10 donations, 8050 for AED 50 donations, 8100 for AED 100 donations and 8200 for AED 200 donations.

• The university celebrated its 15^th anniversary with alumni
• Donations were raised to ADU’s scholarship fund to support ADU students interested in interning abroad