We all believe that going to university involves more than simply studying. We’re there not only to acquire the knowledge needed to kick start our careers, but to also live as young adults, develop our principles, and most importantly, discover our passions in life.
At The Australian College of Kuwait, students enjoy the wonderful of opportunity to not only developing their knowledge in specific fields such as business or engineering, but also developing themselves as human beings through programs that deliver life experiences earned beyond the borders of the classroom. From the regionally renowned Injaz Head Start Program to traversing the winding streets of beautiful Rome, ACK students are developing their life skills in more ways than one!
Injaz Head Start Program
Every huge business conglomerate started small. We all believe that hard work and persistence do pay off, but having those innate business savvy skills does not come naturally to everyone. As part the Business Diploma Management’s unit at ACK, Manage Personal Work Priorities and Professional Development, students participated in a new career development program that allowed them to garner those little tips and tricks that will take them beyond the business books! With the ‘INJAZ Head Start Program’, students are encouraged to carefully assess their current and future professional development. Discussions centered around career oriented topics like the importance of resume writing, interviewing and internships. Take it from any successful business man, handling interviews requires skills and practice, and being a natural people person does not mean that you are poised to take on any interview—practice makes perfect! This is why the workshop style program provides the elusive industry connection for students, as these topics are delivered in conjunction with human resource industry professionals from organizations in Kuwait, such as Gulf Bank, Ghaliah Tech, IKEA Kuwait and the impressive Al-Ghanim industries.
ACK Cares
A cut-throat businessman might be thrifty, but having no heart in doing what you love could easily shorten the life span of your business. This is why the Business Diploma Management unit at ACK emphasizes the importance of Team Effectiveness through the bi-annual ‘ACK Cares’ Corporate Social Responsibility Project. Students are inspired by the spirit of volunteerism, and allowed to explore the important connection between business and CSR. Throughout the semester, students form teams to research and contact a charity or other organizations to volunteer with. This semester, for instance, we witnessed ACK students volunteer with Al Kharafi Kids Centre, PAWS, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Bayt Abdullah, Maki Jumah’s Kuwait Cancer Control Center, amongst others. Many of the students had never volunteered before and found it to be a very worthwhile experience, with the majority wishing to make volunteerism a part of their long-term goals. Instilling these values at this point in students’ lives ensures that it remains a vital part of their careers and lifestyles.
Creating Positive Influence
With business savvy programs that teach students the values of empathy, respecting one’s environment is a lesson that ACK also aims to further in students’ minds. For this reason, ACK Foundation students are involved with carrying out experiments that focus on changing people and the environment for the better. An experiment was conducted with students creating posters that displayed what they did in their experiments and the results. From recycling programs to raising awareness about pollution, students were encouraged to get out of the classroom and showcase their programs to their fellow students.
Roma Trip
Having a strong competitive spirit is a wonderful asset that every young student should pursue. More importantly, competing with people from different walks of life is an enriching and life-changing experience. This premise took the ACK Men’s Basketball and Swimming Teams who represented ACK and Kuwait in the 2015 Euro Roma in Rome, Italy. Euro Roma is an international tournament where countries from all around the world participate. With 55 Universities from 20 countries, making for a whopping total of 1,800 participating students, our Kuwait teams truly experienced skills that go beyond their classrooms and training arenas. The students had a wonderful time getting to know other students from different cultures and competing against them. They also visited the Coliseum, the Vatican and the Spanish Steps, making for a cultural experience unlike no other. The students had an amazing experience and are looking forward to the next tournament that will take them to new and wonderful places to meet people from different walks of life.
For information about ACK, phone 182 8225, follow them on Twitter and Instagram @ACK_Live and Facebook: ACKLive, and head to www.ack.edu.kw.
