The creation of the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies has not only helped Dundee forge close links with Dubai but also helped bring major economic benefits to Scotland.
Professor Malory Nye, the Institute’s Principal, said it had played a major role to focus Dubai business leaders’ attention on the city and Scotland.
“In many ways, Dundee is regarded in Dubai business and educational sectors as the capital of Scotland, with a small ‘c,’” said Professor Nye in his first Graduation Day speech as the Institute’s Principal on Thursday, February 19, 2009.
“It is appropriate to focus on the relationships and opportunities that exist between Dubai and Scotland, building on the mutual interest and understanding that exists between the two countries. For many years now the Al-Maktoum Institute has been saying – with great justification – that the interest of Dubai in Scotland through the Institute has great potential benefits for our country. Now is the time to try to ensure this is taken even further and I have no doubt that it will.”
He outlined many achievements since the Institute’s creation in 2001 by its Patron and Sponsor, HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, whose vision for multiculturalism is at the heart of the Institute.
“Clearly, the Institute’s arrival set the basis for Dubai’s interest in Scotland and, of course, Scotland’s interest in Dubai,” he said.
Over the past eight years, direct daily flights from Glasgow to Dubai have been established while Dundee and Dubai have signed a sister city agreement, making Dundee the only UK city with such a unique link.
Professor Nye pointed out that the relationship between the countries had led to the announcements that the world famous Turnberry Hotel Golf Resort in Ayrshire would be redeveloped at a cost of £30 million by a Dubai-based firm and that a five-star deluxe Jumeirah Hotel in Argyle Street, Glasgow was to be opened in 2011 in the heart of the city’s international finance district.
On the academic side, said the Professor, the Institute had enjoyed six years of successful student visits from Dubai and the UAE to Dundee and Scotland with 230 students now having completed study programmes here.
It is estimated that each visit brings a boost of around £100,000 to the local economy.
“And, of course, we hope to boost even further the academic and learning links between the UAE and Scotland with Scottish students visiting Dubai and also establishing a basis whereby students from the UAE can come to Scotland for a full semester,” he said.
Professor Nye said he wanted to thank the people of Dundee for their continuing, welcoming attitude to the Institute.
“They deserve praise and our thanks for the warm, whole-hearted way they have embraced the ideas of what we are striving for,” he said.
“They have welcomed the promotion of the values of multiculturalism that lie at the heart of the Institute’s philosophy and underpin the studies here. Here in Dundee and also in Scotland, there is no doubt there is mutual interest and respect. All of us at the Institute and all those connected to it are truly grateful for that.”
