The ANC Students' Council is working tirelessly to ensure ANC is a great university for its students to benefit from. This Council has taken a great outlook in ensuring that ANC students leave the university as confident young adults. A strong Students' Council performs as a link between the students and the university administration.

Shiham and Ransirini

President of the Students' Council Orlando Gunesekere, a third year student majoring in psychology at ANC and is in the US transfer programme, says the Council has become the voice of the ANC students. "The students know that they have a voice and are being heard," he said. He explained that the Council has provided ANC students with a "Suggestion Box" where they could drop any suggestion or come and meet a Council member any time with suggestions for improvement to help make ANC the best private education institute in the country.

The Council also maintains the student lounge and cafeteria where students relax and interact with each other. Student councils often serve to engage students in learning about democracy and leadership. Among the main purposes of a student council, are to develop positive attitudes and practice good citizenship, promote harmonious relations throughout the entire College, improve student/faculty relationships, improve school morale and general welfare and plan special events or projects.

Being involved in a student council also has its benefits, which include receiving an opportunity to improve leadership skills, reading and writing skills, gain experience in public speaking, and learn how to make a positive impact on school and community environment. In addition, a student council serves as a chance to meet new friends and work with a wide variety of people.

The ANC Students' Council also manages the 10 clubs at the College - Rotaract Club, Business Club, Performing Arts Club, Charity Committee, IT Society, Engineering Club, Psychology Society, International Students' Club, Sports Club and the Arts Club. The Students' Council meets the heads of all the clubs once a month to discuss the progress and new events. It also conducts a monthly general meeting to brief the ANC students of the club events.

Another important role played by the Students' Council is the interaction session with the newly enrolled students at ANC during the orientation programme at the beginning of each semester. Gunesekere explained that at the beginning of each semester the Council members address the new students and brief them of the events at the College and the activities of the various clubs at ANC. "We then take the new students around ANC. We also play games with them as an ice-breaker and at the end of the tour, we take them to the lounge to mingle with everyone," Gunesekere said. Vice President, Hatim Zubair, an engineering student in the Monash transfer programme, says new students are always encouraged to join the clubs and play an active role.

Orlando, Yasara and Hathim

Secretary, Yasara Kaluaratchi, a third year student studying psychology at ANC's US Degree Competition programme noted that the Council together with the College administration has organized several fun and recreational activities for the students.

The Students' Council is in the midst of forming a buddy system for the new intakes of students to ensure an easy and comfortable transition for them. A key event organized by the Students' Council together with the ANC administration was the Masquerade Ball for its students on June 30 this year at Hilton Colombo to coincide with the annual Awards Night.

They have also coordinated several other College events together with the ANC administration.
Among such events were the Games Day for ANC students at the Excel World, organizing a sitting of Iron Man for students and other open house events, movie nights and the Halloween party organized by the Performing Arts Club. The task of the Students' Council to create integration among the College students is no easy feat given the different programmes followed by them - the US, UK and Monash programmes. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic members of the ANC Students' Council are a confident bunch.
The ANC Students' Council together with the College administration are committed to provide the perfect environment for students to become complete in education and other activities and to leave ANC as confident young adults.