Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has commemorated this year’s Canada Day in Dubai with an all-day event on Thursday, July 1st, at the University’s City Walk campus. The occasion marked the official inauguration of the campus expansion.
In partnership with the Canadian Business Council in Dubai and Merex, CUD welcomed visitors of all nationalities to join in a range of activities to mark the 154th anniversary of the nation. The event was attended by H.E. Jean-Philippe Linteau, Consul General of Canada in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Mr. Colin Beaton, Chairman of the Canadian Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Speaking at the official reception, Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, said, “Canada Day marks the official inauguration of our expanded City Walk campus, celebrating the bilateral relationship we have between our two nations – the United Arab Emirates and Canada. This relationship spans decades and has placed great emphasis on building prosperity among both of our societies. Today, we acknowledge the shared principles that have brought us together, embracing our cultures through common values.”
H.E. Jean-Philippe Linteau remarked, “This Canada Day we must reflect on our history, show solidarity, and come together to create a brighter future. We are building a great country, but we need to acknowledge where Canada has come from, the ancestral lands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, to move forward.”
Looking to the future, Mr. Colin Beaton revealed, “The past year has been a challenge, but we are forward thinkers. We have big plans for this year, and Expo is a large part of it. We have many plans, programs, teams, to ensure the Canadian community is fully engaged with our happenings at the CBC every step of the way.”
With longstanding bilateral ties between the two nations, the UAE is home to some 40,000 Canadian citizens. CUD was established in 2006 to help strengthen that bond by bringing the world-class Canadian curriculum to Dubai. The University has since gone on to become one of the Arab world’s foremost higher education institutions and ranks among the top 2% of universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The recent expansion to City Walk marks the next phase of the University’s pioneering approach to higher education, with a focus on entrepreneurship, research, and non-conventional methods of teaching and learning.
In parallel with the official reception, shops, and restaurants across City Walk marked the day with special concessions for those wearing the #CanadaDayUAE stickers. A #CanadaDayUAE photo booth was set-up by CUD to allow participants to share their Canada Day greetings and various outlets beyond City Walk offered Canada Day promotions.
