Two Ministers from the Government of the United Arab Emirates visited Dundee today (Monday July 17) for the closing ceremony for the Al-Maktoum Institute fourth summer school involving 39 female students from universities in the Gulf States.
A third then joined the event, being held at the Al-Maktoum Institute in Blackness Road, Dundee by video link.
Dundee’s Council leader, Councillor Jill Shimi was at the city’s airport in the morning to greet Her Excellency Mariam Al-Roumi, the Minister for Social Affairs, when she arrived with a 23 strong party including journalists from Dubai television and the UAE.
Also in the airport welcoming party was His Excellency Dr Hanif Al-Qassimi, Minister for Education, who arrived in Dundee earlier.
The party were taken on a tour of the city before going to lunch at the City Chambers. They then went to the Al-Maktoum Institute for the summer school closing ceremony.
The female students have been in Scotland for the past three weeks studying multiculturalism and leadership.
It is the fourth year that female students from the Emirates have taken part in the visit to Scotland. The summer schools are a practical example of the vision of Dubai’s Deputy Ruler, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who believes there should be increasing relationships between Dubai and Scotland promoted through the Institute in Dundee.
Shaikh Hamdan is also working to encourage a greater understanding of multiculturalism to improve constructive civilisational dialogue between peoples, religions, cultures and countries.
In a video link to the Al-Maktoum Institute, His Excellency Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, the Minister for Higher Education, sent best wishes from the UAE.
He said, ”We appreciate the opportunity our students have to learn about the history and culture of Scotland. They also engage in a useful exchange of ideas and experiences.” Shaikh Al-Nahyan added, ”The focus of this year’s programme is particularly important. Multiculturalism requires that we not only understand the bonds that unite us as members of a global community, but that we actively promote and reinforce them. We acknowledge the strong support of Shaikh Hamdan as this event is a celebration of his vision that values knowledge, peace and global understanding.”
The closing ceremony was presided by Lord Elder, Chancellor of Al-Maktoum Institute and also attended by Mr Mirza Al-Sayegh, chairman of the Institute’s Board Institute Principal, Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi said, ” Our fourth summer school has been our most successful yet. It is a particular pleasure to welcome the UAE’s Social Affairs Minister to Dundee as the students had a very enjoyable and informative day with Dundee’s Social Work department last week. The involvement of three Ministers from the UAE government in our closing event is a sign of its growing importance in the education of the leaders of tomorrow. I am confident many of the young women who have been in Scotland during the past three weeks will go on to distinguish themselves in their chosen professions in the years ahead.”
Councillor Jill Shimi, Leader of the Administration said, “The Al Maktoum Institute has made a major contribution towards strengthening cultural ties and understanding between Dundee and the United Arab Emirates. Their summer school is a particularly good example of this international cooperation and the city council was delighted to participate in the study programme for female students.” After the closing ceremony Mr Mirza Al-Sayegh invited the two UAE Ministers, the Chancellor and the Principal to officially open a new garden area within the Institute. It has been named the “Shaikh Maktoum Garden” in honour of the late ruler of Dubai who died in January this year.
