The 50-strong group of female students from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar – who completed the Al-Maktoum Institute’s 2011 Academic Training Programme (ATP) in February – are due to meet the Institute’s Patron and Sponsor, HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, today (Tuesday, March 1.)
Last Tuesday (February 22) the students, from eight different universities and colleges, attended a concluding ceremony in Dundee’s Marryat Hall on Tuesday, February 22 but now they will be able to share their experiences with HH Shaikh Hamdan in person.
The students, the largest group to visit the Institute to date, were in Scotland –with three days in England – for four weeks for the 11th such educational programme, including Summer Schools, arranged by the Institute since the first in 2003.
The total number of students to visit Dundee for programmes at the Institute is now over 400.
The ATP forms a key part of the students’ degree course studies and the various activities arranged were tailored to advance the students’ overall learning and understanding of Scotland plus the challenges of global dialogue and exchange.
Institute Principal, Professor Malory Nye, Institute Chancellor, Lord Elder and HE Mr Mirza al-Sayegh, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors, welcomed a very distinguished group of guests to the Al-Maktoum Institute last week, including the UAE Ambassador to the UK, Mr Abdul Rahman Ghanim Al-Mutaiwee and HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum, First Secretary of the UAE Embassy.
Dr Sulaiman Jassim, Vice-President of Zayed University; Dr Kasim Shabban, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University; Dr Nabil Ibrahim, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University; Dr Abdullah al-Shamsi, Vice-Chancellor of the British University in Dubai; Dr Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice-Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah; Dr Mohamed Al-Baili, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, UAE University; Dr Amna Abdulla Al Mazam, of Student Services, Dubai Women’s College, Higher Colleges of Technology; Dr Ahmed Hassani, College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Dubai and Mr Navin Kapoor, Managing Director of Xpertise Utd, Dubai, a Visiting Scholar at the Institute and Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise were also welcome visitors.
In his address at the concluding ceremony, Board Chairman, Mr Mirza al-Sayegh, said he hoped the experience for the ATP students had helped them to grow and mature.
And he added: “We hope it has been a rich and life-changing experience for you all. You have exciting opportunities ahead, you are being trained for future leadership.
“It is clear that you have worked hard during your time here and the knowledge gained will be very important in the future.”
The Chairman said the Institute’s Patron and Sponsor was looking forward to meeting the ATP students on their return.
Professor Nye agreed that the students had, indeed, worked hard during their stay.
“You have been exposed to the key issues of multiculturalism and leadership during your time with us and now have a greater understanding of the world and the countries in which you live,” said Professor Nye.
“I expect to see you challenge and change and to push yourselves as a result of your experience with us. Everyone at the Institute wishes you well.”
Professor Nye also praised the Institute staff for their commitment to the ATP and current students for their input.
In the evening, guests attended an informal farewell dinner where students delivered presentations on Multiculturalism and Leadership.
The dinner finished with a DVD of the ATP students singing the famous Scottish song “Caledonia” – a stirring finale to what was considered a hugely successful day.
