WATANI International
18 April 2010
Making the shift from the comfortable school zone to the wider academic community of university might be overwhelming for some and exciting for others. To Michael George, a first year medical student, the daunting experience was only tampered through his membership in FOCUS.
FOCUS (Fellowship of Orthodox Christian University Students) is an organisation offering Christian youth of all denominations at universities in Australia the opportunity to share their faith and to experience Christ through friendship, assistance and guidance.
Turning away from religion
The initiative of FOCUS to gather Christian students in different university campuses addresses a needed service, since education has turned many away from religion. A recent study by the Christian Research Association in Australia revealed that the higher the level of education, the fewer the number of people identifying themselves as Christian. However, according to the bulletin of Christian Research Association Pointers, Coptic Christians have the highest percentage of university degree holders among all other Christian denominations in Australia.
Yet, the immigration schemes from Australia that recently allowed immigrants from countries in Asia under visa arrangements with special qualifications have pushed education levels higher. Thus a variety of highly educated students with different religious affiliations mix at a high academic level.
In its initiative to gather young Christians attending university, FOCUS held a series of orientations across universities and in Coptic churches in Sydney to introduce its services.
The three Ss
FOCUS operates under the close supervision of the Coptic Orthodox Church and is headed by Father Matthew Attiya, the patron priest of FOCUS. Apart from weekly spiritual meetings, it holds a variety of social events and outings, and helps students in their studies through its three Ss frame: Spiritual, Social and Services.
“For us this is an opportunity to reach out to [young people] to spread the word of God, and to gather not only to be friends but to the spirit of the church,” says Chris Kyriacou, a combined law and commerce student and member of the executive committee of FOCUS at the University of Sydney.
According to Fr. Matthew, FOCUS looks forward to taking an international perspective and gather all Christian university students across the globe at the International Fellowship of Christian University Students convention to be held in Honolulu in July 2012.
Best combination
Some 30 students attended one of the orientations held at St Mark’s Church in Arncliffe, Sydney, where FOCUS offered presentations to new students as well as an opportunity to meet other new students.
Farid Farid of the school of political science at the University of New South Wales addressed the new students, explaining to them the importance of having a purpose for education and proper time management at university.
Father Yacoub Magdi, Pastor of St Mark’s church and previously senior lecturer at the department of electric and computer engineering at the University of Wollongong, followed by detailing to students the differences between school and university, and explaining what to expect in further education. Fr Yacoub stressed the importance of good academic conduct and putting effort into studying.
A member of FOCUS committee and a current student, Bishoi Elias, gave a student point of view by highlighting his experience as a student and offering advice to students on how best to combine studies and extra-curricula activities.
Meeting over pizza
After the speeches, the students gathered for refreshments in the hall, and over pizza and soft drinks had the opportunity to meet other students and register to join FOCUS.
New students like Christina Maurice, who is studying for a BA at the University of Sydney, registered with FOCUS on orientation night. Ms Maurice is excited at the opportunity FOCUS provides to make friends and meet people.
“I think it is a good way to gather the Coptic Orthodox students in study and prayer, and to know other Orthodox people as well,” said Ustina Tawdrous, a physiotherapy student.
Pharmacy student Marina Ghattas agreed, saying she found that news of FOCUS had already spread. She learnt about it through friends on Facebook.
Olivia Ghobrial, a design student, and Bishoi Tawdrous, a physiotherapy student, agree that FOCUS provided a safe haven for Christian students in an environment where alcohol and drugs could detract students and hinder their spiritual and academic performance.
“University is a new environment and there are a lot of different people and ideas at university you are exposed to,” FOCUS member Esther Youssef said. “It is important that you have something to rely on, and what is better than a focus group to help you hold on to your basic values.”