A group of 30 female Emirati students is currently visiting the Al Maktoum Institute in Dundee, Scotland as part of an educational leadership initiative to promote multiculturalism and understanding.
The graduates and students from Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, the American University of Sharjah and the British University in Dubai left for Scotland on January 15 and will spend almost a month there.
Opened in 2001 under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the institute is an independent research centre for the study of Islam. It offers postgraduate and doctoral degrees in Islamic studies, multiculturalism and Muslims, and globalisation and the West. The degrees are validated by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Shifting perspectives
The trip to Scotland is Anood Al Mulla's first time outside the UAE. Speaking to Campus Notes prior to the trip, the ADU student said she is looking forward to spreading a positive image of her culture to fight prevailing media stereotypes about Islam.
"We want to show them what UAE or Arab women are all about and let them know about Islam and our traditions and cultures. It will be nice to share our daily life and how we are with them," she said.
The trip
The girls will each be given pocket money and a UK mobile chip with £50 (Dh300) credit. They will attend classes at Aberdeen University. Apart from mingling with students, they will meet Scottish dignitaries and families, take in Scottish sights in Aberdeen and Edinburgh and sample Scottish culture at its best.
Previous groups attended a traditional Scottish wedding, visited castles and art galleries and learnt how to cook traditional cuisine.
Inspiration
ADU student Nada Ali Harbi visited Aberdeen last summer. Inspired by the concept of multiculturalism, she said the visit encouraged her to pursue the empowerment of women in the UAE.
"In Scotland a woman's role is very strong in parliament and in all fields," she said.
As a board member of the women's committee in the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nada said her aim is to challenge society to let women join all fields of sports. "I found similarities [and inspiration in Scotland]. We have to fight and prove ourselves as women," said the 22-year-old.
She said seeing life from a different perspective and through the eyes of others changed her.
"I saw life from a different angle… we saw life from their way of living," she said.
Ladies stay in line
It has been seven years since these trips to the Al Maktoum Institute began. And so far the groups have consisted of only women. Campus Notes asked Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Al Maktoum Institute, why males have yet to be sent on any of the winter and summer trips.
"Some of these girls have never left the UAE," said Al Sayegh. "So by being there [in Scotland] they will meet foreigners."
Al Sayegh added that Emirati males can visit Scotland anytime but would be hard to manage as part of a group of 30.
"These girls are only learners, they don't look at discos or nightlife, they are more within the line we all want them to be," he said.
