The Student Affairs Office (SAO) at Masdar Institute joined the student body to launch the new Happiness Club to coincide with United Nation’s International Day of Happiness on 20 March 2017.
The Masdar Institute campus community marked the event with special storytelling sessions and musical performances at the courtyard opposite the Knowledge Center, where the Masdar Institute community gathered to share the spirit of the day. Book and toy stalls offered visitors an opportunity to buy and donate.
The Masdar Institute Happiness Club was also launched on the day to help promote positivity and satisfaction on campus.
Club co-president Lamis Abu Ashour explained: “The main aim of the Happiness Club is to work in line with the plans of the UAE Government to promote happiness among individuals. At Masdar Institute, we are trying to demonstrate the meaning of happiness and how it can be spread through actions such as giving, sharing, and appreciation. Through these actions, we will be able to not only promote happiness, but also raise good values among our fellow students. In addition, by promoting happiness, students will be encouraged to become more productive and we hope the club will truly bear fruits for the institute.”
Students celebrated the day by sending faculty members personalized greeting cards to thank them for their efforts. The Student Affairs Office also organized an appreciation lunch for the construction workers, security, cleaning and office support staff, together with the students.
For the evening the SAO and the Happiness Club organized a movie, open mic night, music, games and refreshments, to further spread happiness across the campus community.
Happiness Club Co-President Abeer Anes Wahdain said: “Our club plans to take advantage of all special occasions – both personal and public – to put a smile on everybody’s face and make people feel special. It’s important that we take the opportunity to help members of the Masdar Institute community ‘de-stress’ and remind them that they are appreciated for their hard work.”
She added: “Plans in the coming months will include special activities for the graduating students and field trips for all. Our objective is to bring cheer among the Masdar Institute community and we hope to continue the momentum already building up following the Club’s inaugural activities.”
PhD Student Abdulla Mohammed Alshimmari, Vice President, Happiness Club, said: “I believe the Club can offer happiness by being part of various activities organized by Masdar Institute. We can also bring happiness in a sustainable manner by providing, for example, PV panels as a source of clean energy to those starved of power. Our overall objective would be to follow the directives of the UAE leadership andpossibly bring happiness to everyone in the community.”
Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. Last year the UAE launched its National Happiness and Positivity Charter, which stipulated the government’s commitment to provide a nurturing environment for the happiness of the person, family and community, instill positivity as a core value in them so that they are able to achieve their goals and ambitions.
Clarence Michael
News Writer
28 March 2017
