Student Representation

Student Union

Formation of Student Council

Student Council members were elected for the academic year 2024-2025 and serves as the voice of the students, assists the University in addressing student concerns, fosters relationships within the University community, enhances communication within and outside the University.

Main activities of the student council include: addressing students concerns to the administration, organizing events and activities on campus, receiving university guests and representing the students at important university events, providing educational, religious and personality develop- ment workshops for students.

Goals and Objectives of Student Council

• Provide students with the opportunity to develop their Leadership skills.

• Provide students with the opportunity to develop their Events Planning and Public Relations skills.

• Foster relationship among students and the members of the University community.

• Represent ZU for different organizations, companies, VIPs, local and international media, and other institutions of higher education in the UAE.

Student Council Initiatives

The Student Council is dedicated to enriching the student experience through a variety of initiatives that promote community service, student advocacy, cultural awareness, and collaboration with external organizations. Below are some of our key initiatives:

1. Student Advocacy: Your Voice Campaign

We believe in empowering students to actively participate in shaping their university experience. The Your Voice Campaign encourages student involvement and representation, ensuring that your concerns and ideas are heard.

2. Major Campus Events: Winter Festival, National Day, and Emirati Women’s Day

These campus events celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of our community while promoting student engagement. We aim to foster unity and cultural appreciation through activities that highlight the spirit of the season and national pride.

3. Community Service Initiatives: Bridge of Giving

In collaboration with the Red Crescent, the Bridge of Giving initiative supports victims of natural disasters, such as earthquake survivors, by providing essential aid and resources.

4. Collaboration with External Organizations: “How Innovation Serves Youth Energies” Dialogue and Federal Nations Elections

The Student Council actively collaborates with government and community organizations, to encourage student involvement in national discourse and societal development.

5. Cultural & Religious Initiatives: Ramadan Iftar

Promoting inclusivity and tradition, we organize Ramadan Iftar gatherings and share meaningful posts on Instagram to connect with students, celebrate religious diversity, and honor the spirit of Ramadan.

Graduate Student Council

Zayed University is committed to graduate student involvement in fostering a quality academic environment by meaningful participation in university governance. Graduate students are represented through elected members of the Graduate Student Council (GSC) and the Graduate Council (GC). GSC meetings are held no less than once each month during the Fall and Spring semesters.

GSC will serve as the main support organization and the official voice for graduate students to advocate for student needs and interest at all levels.

The charges for the GSC are as follow:

• Act as the official support council for all graduate students from the different Colleges which offer graduate programs.

• Officially represent graduate student interests in university governance.

• Act as a liaison between graduate students, faculty and the University administration, ensuring that graduate students’ collective ideas, interests and issues of mutual concerns are heard, information is distributed, and graduate student success is promoted.

• Provide advice and support to the Deanship of Graduate Studies with regards to professional development opportunities for graduate students.

• Contribute towards fulfilling Zayed University’s goal of becoming a national research university by promoting and supporting academic research.

• Allocate and oversee fund distributions that best serve graduate student's needs by supporting graduate research and planning graduate student-led events and social activities for graduate students.

• Assist the University administration in fostering a quality academic environment.

• Represent graduate students in the community and facilitate the continued role of Zayed University graduate students in the community and beyond.

Membership

All graduate students are given the opportunity to become a candidate for GSC membership. The GSC is made up of a chair and members. Membership consists of one (1) representative elected/appointed from each graduate program offered by all Colleges. No single member will be serving as the representative for more than one program. The Dean, Graduate Studies will appoint the chair and members for one academic year.

The duties of the Chair shall be as follow:

• To serve as the chief executive officer of the GSC.

• To serve as the official spokesperson and primary point of contact for the GSC.

• To serve as the primary liaison between GSC, faculty and University administration.

• To schedule and preside (or appoint someone to preside) over GSC meetings.

• To oversee the preparation of the GSC annual budget and submit it to the Deanship of Graduate Studies by the deadline set forth for approval.

• To serve as a signatory on GSC financial matters to present to the Dean, Graduate Studies for final approval.

• To deliver proposals and reports on GSC grants and activities when requested to do so, i.e. Graduate Council meetings.

• To actively promote graduate student-led events and social activities for graduate students.

• To manage content creation for the GSC website ensuring content remains up to date and relevant.

• To ensure that all University committees requiring graduate student representatives are appropriately staffed with respect to their requirements for participation.

• To serve as a Student Representative on the Graduate Council.