The number of female students from the United Arab Emirates to visit Dundee now tops the 300 mark with the arrival of the latest Academic Training Programme group in the city.
And Institute Principal, Professor Malory Nye said demand among students at UAE universities is now so high for the Institute’s educational programmes that some have opted to visit Scotland rather than the United States and Australia.
“We have been told by our UAE universities’ contacts that Dundee and Scotland are more popular choices for many students than field study trips to either the States or Australia, so we are extremely pleased to learn this,” said Professor Nye, as the visit for 34 students got under way today.
“It shows that our education programmes for the female students, which started back in 2003, have interesting and stimulating itineraries, mixing social, historic and cultural elements. We have certainly put Scotland on the map for the UAE. The success and popularity of these study visits shows that Scotland holds a fascination for these young well-educated women and we are delighted our educational programmes encourage them to come here. It also shows that the Institute is becoming more recognised as an international college in its own right and that is good for Dundee, as well as the Institute.”
The 34 female students plus six chaperones will be based in Dundee – which is twinned with Dubai – for four weeks this time, one week more than previous programmes.
This is the ninth educational programme, including Summer Schools, organised by the Institute and students from six UAE universities are in the party, including six from the American University of Sharjah for the first time.
The third and fourth-year students are from Zayed University, Qatar University, Abu Dhabi University, British University in Dubai, Higher Colleges of technology and the American University of Sharjah.
Their visit forms a key part of their degree course studies and the various activities arranged by the Institute have been tailored to advance their overall learning and understanding of Scotland and the challenges of global dialogue and exchange.
The Institute estimates that the students’ visit will boost the local economy by over £200,000 when hotel accommodation, transport, meals and shopping are taken into account.
“There is an increasing role for Emirati women in today’s UAE where there are already two female Government ministers and the first female judges have been appointed,” said Professor Nye.
“They are, rightfully, becoming increasingly involved in Government, the law and politics, and this is a trend that is clearly set to continue, strongly encouraged by their nations’ leaders. It is fair to say that the Al-Maktoum Institute is playing a significant and on-going role in this development. This year’s Academic Training Programme builds on the excellent work we’ve been undertaking at the Institute over the past seven years with young women regarded as potential leaders in their society.
“We are working to educate the next generation of scholars – both nationally and internationally – in the study of Islam and Muslims and multiculturalism to enable them to face the challenges and opportunities of today.”
