September 26-28, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) students joined an international student network, practiced public speaking and built connections with visiting student leaders during the USSUN Leadership Workshop, held from September 26–28, 2026.
The three-day event brought together representatives of United Students of SUN (USSUN), the student organization of the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN), for practical student sessions and collaborative planning. As SUN’s chair university, CUD hosted the workshop to introduce students to the network and strengthen connections with its international team.
The group of USSUN representatives and SUN coordinators included students from Italy, Greece, Korea, Russia, India and Algeria, bringing different cultural perspectives to discussions. SUN connects 87 member universities across 67 cities in 27 countries, providing opportunities for academic collaboration, cultural exchange and student-led activities.
A highlight was The Inner Mediator: Building Identity and Stability in Times of Uncertainty, led by Professor Dorota Sylwia Majewicz, Special Advisor to USSUN. Attended by at least 40 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the session explored how internal dialogue can influence confidence and communication.
Students examined assumptions about their strengths and weaknesses, considered the evidence behind those beliefs and drew on personal experiences to develop their speeches. They also learned to shape a message around the needs of an audience before practicing in pairs and small groups, applying techniques to manage speaking anxiety. Participants received certificates following the session.
Students also met international SUN and USSUN representatives to explore how they could take part in conferences, collaborative projects, cultural exchanges and leadership activities. They expressed interest in contributing to future initiatives.
Lyna Djaboub, an Accounting and Finance student at CUD and Secretary-General of USSUN, said: “One of the most encouraging outcomes was seeing students express their willingness to join the network and contribute to its future activities. For me, this demonstrated that leadership is not defined only by holding a position, but also by taking initiative, asking questions, and being willing to contribute.”
She added: “As both a CUD student and the Secretary-General of USSUN, seeing my fellow students connect with an international network was particularly meaningful. It reinforced my belief that students should not only participate in opportunities but also help create and shape them.”
The workshop followed a proposal at SUN’s 2024 General Assembly in Naples to bring the USSUN President and Secretariat coordinators to CUD, strengthening their connection with the University and its students.
It also provided orientation for the newly appointed USSUN Secretary-General and three SUN coordinators from CUD. New and existing team members shared their experiences, clarified responsibilities and worked on preparations for the 11th SUN General Assembly and academic conference in Algeria, including the program for the USSUN workshop at the assembly.
Discussions focused on promoting opportunities earlier, setting clearer project deadlines and encouraging students to take greater ownership of initiatives. Participants also identified a structured social media strategy as a priority, with proposed support from CUD social media specialists.
Future activities outlined by the organizers include photography, writing, speech and debate contests, the Virtual Silk Road Museum Festival, foreign-language classes, and summer and winter schools.
Professor Sungdon Hwang, Dean of the School of Asian Studies, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Chelli, the Chairman of SUN and the President and Vice-Chancellor of CUD, and colleagues in CUD who made this event possible and successful.”
Reflecting on the event’s significance, Professor Hwang added, “The USSUN Leadership Workshop at CUD showed that SUN’s ideals of cultural diversity in harmony, mutual respect, and collaboration can be transformed into a living reality.”
The workshop gave CUD students opportunities to practice communication skills, connect with international student representatives, and explore ways to participate in SUN’s academic and cultural activities.
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