Nigerian plane suspect 'just another student' in Dubai

Dubai: The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has confirmed Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab was a postgraduate student at the institution for two semesters.

Raymi van der Spek, Vice-President of Administration, said UOWD is currently cooperating with the Dubai Police Department's investigations into the matter.

Abdul Mutallab, 23, attended UOWD from January to the end of July 2009 but did not graduate or put in an application for a transfer, van der Spek, told Gulf News.

The official did not disclose details about Abdul Mutallab, but said: "We provide confidentiality for our students and don't wish to breach that for any reason.

"He was one of 2,500 from 108 different countries. And he has not come to my attention for any reason whatsoever other than now."

The 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, who claimed to have ties to Al Qaida, was charged Saturday with trying to destroy a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, as authorities learned his father had warned US officials of concerns about his son's religious beliefs.