Zayed University students compete to draw smiles on children's faces

March 24, 2015

A group of six students found themselves obliged to help their counterparts of special needs students who face potential barriers at Zayed University.

Part of their business communication course, Maitha Al Hamadi, Nouf Mohammed, Alya Alzaabi, Nouf Al Hazaa, Moza Al Hammadi, and Khadija Abdullah filmed a short movie that puts special needs in focus. The movie featured special needs students’ daily challenges and how they work around them.  

Projects of students were displayed in booths at Zayed University’s female campus in Abu Dhabi recently.  

“Not only will the featured movie aim to raise awareness on the needs of disabled people and ways to communicate with them, but will also introduce braille labels to be stickered in Abu Dhabi campus for Dukan items and Darmally coffee machines, which are accessible for all students,” Nouf and Maitha, leaders of the group, said.

The project is in collaboration with Zayed University’s Office of Accessibility, which was established to provide a range of services for students who have challenging health conditions and special needs.

Another group of Zayed University students organized a toy-drive for children with cancer at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) to put a smile on children’s faces and spread positive messages among desperate parents.  

Dana Al Zaabi, Fakhera Al Khouri and Aisha Al Ketbi, sophomore students at the College of Business, wanted to accompany children with cancer in their journey to recovery.

“Our project is conducted in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Abu Dhabi National Library and Hamleys toyshop. We wanted to go an extra mile; therefore, a party and lectures will be conducted on March 24 for parents, especially mothers to help them cope with their children’s conditions at SKMC. The lecture will highlight the blessing of patience and the significant correlation between happiness and better health,” Dana said.

Helping children with cancer was a vital objective for Zayed University students, and financial allocations were collected for the children’s families.

Additionally, students of the College of Business Latifa Omair, Rawda Al Mansouri, Sara Talib, Fatima Al Hammadi and Shaima Al Jaber, organized a charity drive for the families of children with cancer.

“Our project aims to enhance the spirit of cooperation and communication among various social classes. We are collecting donations for families of children with cancer to help them experience the impact of changing someone’s life,” Latifa Omair, a sophomore student majoring in finance, said.

With an estimated 1,800 children living with life-threatening medical conditions in the UAE, a total of seven female students gathered to make a little boy’s wish come true.

“We have collaborated with Make A Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Our target is to collect donations for a diabetic child through bake and t-shirt sales. We want his dream to be fulfilled by the end of our campaign,” Latifa added.

The children’s disabilities may be physical or mental, but people with disabilities are capable and talented in their own ways.

Therefore, a group of students bought different items for example: toys and t-shirts to draw a smile on children’s faces and help them communicate with others.

“Our goal of this project is to provide toys for disabled children at the Future Center of Special needs and spend time with them. They have a lot of power, energy and abilities. We want to integrate them into the society, help them to be productive members and encourage them to express their potential interests and desires with no fear,” Manal Ahmed Bin Taleb said.

Salma Mohamed Al Khumaisi, Rawabi Abdulla Al Hosani, Sarah Ali Al Tamimi are students taking part in this project.

Robyn Albers and Angela Elsmore, instructors at the College of Business, were supervisors of many projects done as part of business communication course, which introduces students to primary forms of communication used in business organizations, helps them learn a variety of strategies and technologies that will support an effective business communication, and engages them in various outreach activities that have a great impact on several communities.