Dubai Women's College contributes to Dubai Cares

DWC mobilized all students, academic departments, and DWC's students-run businesses to contribute their time, expertise, and resources for the Dubai Cares campaign.

The on-campus campaign raised more than Dhs230,000.00 in a memorable event during which students and staff were determined to raise as much funds as they can in order to make a difference in other students' lives. Students from all academic departments at DWC ran multiple activities during which they managed small profitable projects on campus. All projects were proposed and managed by DWC's students who succeeded at identifying services that they themselves would like to be offered in order to maximize profitability.

"The involvement and determination of our students were very obvious and indicate a high sense of global awareness they have developed at the College. Organizing the campaign gave them an opportunity to further develop their organizational skills and to discover new borders of their own creativity,"

noted Dr. Howard Reed, Senior Director at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), and Director at DWC.

The Applied Communications (AC) students organized a studio project where pictures were taken and provided on a CD for customers, and a film screening where tickets were sold to students and staff. Along with other talented students from the Paramedics program, Majid Al Zaruoni, a third year Paramedics students at DWC, organized a photography gallery in association with Qatar-photo.com where all sales proceeds were contributed to Dubai Cares.

Al Jawda Zone, DWC's student-run printing business, and students from the Information Administration program assisted the campaign's organizing team by providing all necessary printing services free of charge. Another significant contribution came from Al Waha store, a student-run business that allocated a percentage of a one day-long sales to the campaign. On the day of the campaign, students from different departments sold food items, stationary, children's toys and books, and flowers.

"We had so many reasons to make this campaign a successful one, but to me the most important one is the fact that I know some of our own sisters/students at DWC struggle financially to make it to the College every day. It added so much meaning to the campaign to see these students work to raise funds for others who need it. We had no choice but to make it happen," said Ahlam Al Bannay, a student from the AC department.

Hamda Anwahi, another AC student, argued that the campaign was a challenge for her. "Almost everyone in Dubai was contributing to the campaign and as a student at DWC who has been privileged with a great opportunity to education, I felt this was the time for me to show my appreciation in a fruitful way," Hamda said.

In addition, DWC also organized a poetry evening which was attended by several famous local poets. The poetry evening hosted the famous Ali al Khawar, Mohammad al Menhali, Jum'a Bin Nayem al Ka'bi, Zayed al Abdouli, Anwar al Mushairi, and Alyazya. Guests also enjoyed a live show performed by Youlat al Maidan, provided by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Muhammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Youlat office.

The efforts to raise as much funds as possible inspired the Career Center which offered fee-based employment services to several companies in Dubai. Many graduates and students from DWC received employment offers managed by the Career Center which maximized its graduates' employment services and charged hiring companies for its services. "It was the enthusiasm we saw in our students that helped us to come up with this idea. We saw the difference they were making and we had to join them," noted Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Career Center supervisor.

Abela & Co, managing DWC's cafeteria and coffee shop, also contributed by allocating sales from the coffee shop to DWC's Dubai Cares campaign. Students who were involved in organizing the activities did so with so much passion and commitment to help the Dubai Cares campaign. They worked late hours and during weekends to make it as successful as possible. Their work and involvement will definitely make a difference in the lives of others.