The Syrian Cultural Club at AUB, according to its mission statement, "was established to communicate the various aspects of Syrian culture to the AUB community."
   "Our mission is to present the Syrian culture in one of the busiest cultural centers, to organize social activities for Syrian students," Abdul-Salam Haykal, the club's president said.
   Haykal has been the president of the SCC for the last four years.  The club first started in 1968 as an association for Syrian students studying at AUB.  In 1984, however, it officially became a registered club.
   The SCC this year contains 65 registered members, although there are around 130 Syrian students at AUB.  "We also have relations with Syrian students in LAU," Haykal explained.  "They constitute a large portion of our activities, even in meetings and receptions, although they are not voting members."
   The cabinet's elections were late this year.  "All we did this year was the annual reception, a dinner, and a trip to Faraya."  However, the club has had a history full of remarkable activities and achievements in the past. 
   The SCC once hosted the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra.  After the concert in the Assembly Hall, the Director of the Lebanese National Conservatory announced the establishment of the Lebanese Orchestra.
   Another activity, a concert by Sabah Fakhri, was acclaimed as the highlight of the season.  The club also invited the well-known Syrian actor Dureid Lahham for an open debate.  The group has also had a series of remarkable lectures and concerts, in addition to an awareness campaign about the Sanjak of Alexanderetta.  
   As for coming activities, the club is organizing an awareness campaign about the Golan Heights for mid-March.  Moreover, they are working on an exhibition by the Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat.  For Easter, they are working on a concert by the Syrian Joy Choir.  As for the memory of Nizar Kabbani, the club is trying to organize a concert by Kazem Al Saher, known for singing Kabbani's poetry.  Since there is no Syrian Alumni Chapter in Syria, the club is currently establishing an alumni function in Damascus.
   The SCC is proud of being the second club to launch a web site, designed by Haykal, which can be visited on www.syrianclub.org, and has attracted many visitors since its launch on January 1.  Until now, the web site has won three distinguished web awards: the ArabTop Award of Excellence, the Golden Web Award, and the 4Arabs Internet Sites Award.
   "The web site includes information on the club, its structure, and activities, including a photo gallery.  It also features a special section for AUB Syrian alumni, with a hall of fame that includes distinguished Syrian graduates of AUB such as President Nazem al-Kudsi, Prime Minister Fares al-Khoury, Dr. Constantine Zurayk, Patriarch Ignatius IX Hazeem, HE Ghassan Tueni and poet Omar Abu Risheh."  
   "The Hall of fame section is supposed to motivate the students," Haykal said.  "Syrian students are the highest achievers.  They are focused, talented, and they give a good impression."  Syrian student Sami Mobayad published two books while still an AUB student; moreover, Luay Razok took the highest grade in the history of AUB in the MCAT.   
   With the web site, the club now, according to Haykal "have virtual existence."  The goal of the web site is to join all Syrian and Arab students together.
   "Compared to student organizations outside, we are outstanding.  We are establishing a network for the Arabs in the USA, Lebanon and Syria.  An officer in Student Affairs said that we are a model club at AUB."