What is the Peer Assistance Leader (PAL) system?

Background and objectives

The Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs) Support is based on the belief that highly academic students can play an important role in the academic development of their peers. Peer interaction, peer support and role modeling are all components of the Peer Assistance Leaders'  support. PALs  are available to strengthen the impact of academic success when students work together. With this type of joint partnership between peers, better academic decisions are made by students and success can be achieved. It is a worthwhile experience between PALs and the student to lead to better success in the academic venture.

The Peer Assistance Leader system has been set up to be as additional support system to Zayed University students. It is in no way set up to replace existing support mechanisms in the university. The PALs will complement other university support structures. They  will also  support students at key points in their university life and it is based on a non threatening and relaxed system to give students an additional perspective based on students who have gone through the university process. The PALs will be selected and given ongoing training to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to support students who might be daunted by some obstacles they face. The PAL will work closely with the Coordinator

PALs will meet a student on a 1:1 basis to

• Listen
• Encourage
• Share their experience
• Give help, advice and guidance, where appropriate

• Point to other sources of support or referral

Who are PALs?

PALs are students who generally have a ‘good academic standing' and are willing to support other students who need help

They will be...

• Good communicators
• Responsible and dedicated
• Excellent and active listeners
• Students who have completed more than 3 semesters at university
• Able to show a sympathetic approach to sensitive issues
• Able to maintain confidentiality at all times

• From the various departments in ZU

What is involved?

PALs will agree to...

• Undertake initial training
• Have regular meetings and training (scheduled/ as needed)
• Keep records on the advisees

• Complete a Personal Development Log

Requirements:

• Work in the office an average of 4 hours per week, starting Spring Semester 2011 (Dubai) ongoing till following semester.
• Students will have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater and be in good academic and judicial standing with the university.

• Students who are doing the 3rd semester(or more)  up to the final year/ graduating students will be considered.

Qualifications:

All Pals must have completed at least 3 semesters at Zayed university. It would also be beneficial to have been involved in at least one co-curricular activity on campus. These students should demonstrate good oral and written communication skills. PALs will demonstrate dedication, responsibility, confidence, adaptability, a dynamic personality and a collaborative leadership style. All candidates MUST be able to guarantee their service for the year. We would like fully committed PALs.

Selection process

Failure to participate in any round of the selection process will exclude you from consideration for a PAL position.

Round One: Group   

Group Interview - These group interviews will be in small groups of 4-6. You will be given a scenario relating to advising and will be asked to make your viewpoints and ideas. You need to be able to demonstrate confidence, interpersonal skills and ability to think things through clearly. This should take no longer than 30 minutes.

Round Two: Individual                     

If you have been successful in round one, you will be asked to attend an individual interview with a panel of 2-3. The interview should not last more than 20 minutes

 *It is important to note than in all stages of the selection process, you will be contacted  ONLY when you have been successful on each particular round.

If you are still interested in becoming a Peer Assistance Leader (PAL), please download the application form from here or drop in to the Office of Enrollment Management to collect one. Then after completing it, submit it (with a photograph and one ZU academic reference) either by email to pals@zu.ac.ae or it can be dropped in the ‘DROP BOX'  at the Office of Enrollment Management in all campuses.