DUBAI, 26 June 2006 — Dr. Hanif Hassan, UAE education minister, has paid his first visit to the British University in Dubai (BUiD) — the only dedicated postgraduate and research-based university in the UAE — as part of a fact-finding tour.
During his visit, the minister met a number of students and had the opportunity to hear about research being conducted at the university, including various studies into the development of the Arabic language, environmental design in Gulf construction, breakthrough technology and education projects.
“We are greatly honored to receive the minister of education at the university and to brief him on the progress that has been made during the first two years of operations. It provided us with an opportunity to discuss the role of BUiD in supporting the economic and social development of the UAE in line with the vision of its rulers and playing a part in the move to a knowledge-based society,” said David Lock, registrar and acting chief executive of BUiD.
The minister praised BUiD’s success in integrating its educational efforts. “BUiD is a clear role model for academic institutions. It has worked in partnership with commercial and state bodies and reached out to the community toward the achievement of national goals,” he said.
The Ministry of Education’s support for our efforts to provide first-class postgraduate education here in the UAE is very welcome, and to be acknowledged as part of the wider strategy of supporting the long-term growth of the intellectual and knowledge economy of the country and region is most encouraging,” added Lock.
