AUIS Celebrates University Sports Day

 

The Student Services Department at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) celebrated University Sports Day on September 20, 2021 with different student-focused activities for students to participate in during the day and the coming year.

 

University Sports Day is an internationally-recognized event started in 2016 by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and is recognized by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO).

 

Dozens of students gathered at the Student Services table in the cafeteria to participate in games of chess, backgammon, table tennis, and a tug of war competition. The AUIS basketball and soccer teams also provided sign-up sheets for students looking to participate in future intramural sports events.

 

AUIS has gained a reputation over the years for offering vibrant student life programming for entertainment and creating a sense of community among students who come from different backgrounds and even countries. Nearly all activities were put on hold over the last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which also forced academic classes online. New activities scheduled for the Fall 2021 semester will provide students with a comfortable and safe environment to interact with one another and rekindle friendships. 

 

Students were enthusiastic to sign up for new activities and shared their excitement.

 

“This is my first time participating in a club at AUIS, and I am excited as we did not have such activities in our schools and even in other universities,” said Kamiran, a freshman student in Software Engineering. “This is a very special thing about AUIS; it cares for its student’s mental wellbeing and sports like football reduce the pressure that we as students experience due to studying and taking several classes every day.” 

 

The clubs at AUIS are not only for entertainment purposes though, sports clubs, for example, are a way for students to enhance their critical thinking skills through activities such as chess.

 

“Chess is a mind game, so it is so important for our students, especially here at AUIS, to [develop] strategies for their projects, and improve their critical thinking for finding solutions for their problems,” explained an AUIS student who only identified himself as Yahya. “AUIS clubs are special because [they are] a way for students to communicate and integrate more in the campus.”