Expo to expose UAE students to various cultures, minister says

Dubai: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, on Tuesday discussed the importance of education with students from Zayed University and the enquiry mission from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the inter-governmental organisation in charge of overseeing the selection of World Expo host cities.

During his speech, Shaikh Nahyan said that world expos represent a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and interact with people from different cultures, organisations and countries from around the world as they prepare themselves for future roles in an increasingly competitive and globalised environment.

He also highlighted to the enquiry mission from the BIE the crucial role education has played in the UAE’s development and continues to play in its future growth.

“With one of the world’s youngest and most dynamic populations, education will continue to be a priority for the UAE. Education is at the heart of our nation’s continued quest for excellence as we transition to a knowledge-based economy. It is the primary foundation of the next generation’s development and the best possible means of nurturing the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow,” he said.

Also present were Shaikha Mariam Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Dr Sulaiman Al Jasem, vice-president of Zayed University; Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, vice-chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University and Dr Tayyeb Kamali, vice-chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

The enquiry mission visited Zayed University following a morning tour of the RTA, Dubai Airports and Emirates headquarters — all highlighting the UAE’s strength in infrastructure that would allow easy access for the 25 million expected visitors. Seventy per cent of these will come from outside the host nation — a first in the history of the World Expo.

Dubai is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the World Expo 2020. The winner will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 163 member nations of the BIE.