Sunday, Feb 09, 2014

Dubai: As if battling cancer once isn’t traumatic enough, Palestinian Ahmad Barghouthi has survived his battle with leukaemia four times, all while maintaining a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.33 out of 4 and engaging in extra-curricular activities.

Because of his positive attitude during his university years, Barghouthi, an alumnus from the American University of Sharjah (AUS), was one of the first to be nominated in the AUS Alumni Wall of Fame.

The new initiative, recently launched by the university, aims to recognise the legacies of alumni who contributed to making a difference during their time as students.

“I was shocked when I was nominated, I did not even know about the initiative as it is still new. It made me feel appreciated and admired by people,” said the 25- year-old who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 12.

Barghouthi who graduated from AUS two years ago and now works as a finance consultant; hopes to leave a message of optimism, believing that positive energy is what helped him succeed both academically and in treatment.

“With whatever obstacles you face it is all a matter of mindset. At times when my immunity was zero I would think in my head that the next day it will get better. I would focus on my plan to get better whether it is meditation or treatment.”

Bargouthi graduated with a finance degree in a period of five and a half years because he would have to take six months off for treatment. He would then take six courses per semester to catch up on what he missed.

Another alumni who also shone during her time at AUS was Emirati Sarah Al Agroubi, a freelance designer and artist who has received awards for her work.

Sara won first prize in the design category (Dh50,000) in The Shaikha Manal Young Artist Award as well as third prize in the fine art category (Dh20,000).

The Emirati was the first AUS student whose work was accepted at Dubai Film Festival’s professional category, which resulted in her being invited to speak about dreaming big at Tedex Talk.

“I think it is amazing to be recognised, especially from the university that gave me all these opportunities.”

The 24-year-old said she did not feel any cultural restrictions being an Emirati as she was raised in Belgium and Turkey and because her family was supportive.

“I want to be remembered as fearless and not afraid of pushing the envelope. I believe that I was able to achieve so much because I am not afraid of failure. It is part of being successful, it is part of growing.”

Also among the nominees is a former staff reporter of XPRESS, a sister publication of Gulf News and an AUS alumni, Habiba Ahmad Abd Elaziz, who was shot at the Rabaa Al Adawiya Square in Cairo last year.

Sixteen other alumni were also nominated by other students to enter the AUS Alumni Wall of Fame.

Students were then asked to vote for the candidates they believed have left a memorable mark. The five nominees who get the highest number of alumni testimonial votes will enter the hall of fame, which will initially be included online with plans for a physical platform in the future.

The five finalists will be announced during the university’s Alumni Reunion Dinner on February 13.

By Noor Nazzal Staff Reporter

Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.