Dundee, Scotland: An exuberant group of 63 women scholars from 13 universities across four countries graduated from the Al Maktoum College of Higher Education’s Summer School Programme on Friday.
The course, which endorses the university’s objective to bridge cultures and understanding between the Muslim and western world, saw the participation of students from Cairo University, Qatar University, University of Malaysia and ten academies in the UAE.
Based in Dundee, Scotland, Al Maktoum College is a registered charity that was established in 2001 under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Graduates from over 30 countries have successfully completed summer school programmes, postgraduate degree programmes and PhDs at the facility which focuses on education, research and the scientific understanding of Islam and the role of Muslims in the 21st century.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Mirza Al Sayegh, chairman of Al Maktoum College of Higher Education; Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education; Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the UK; Dr Hossein Godazgar, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Al Maktoum College; Lord Murray Elder, Board Member and Chancellor; and Lord Provost Bob Duncan.
Al Sayegh, who presented the 63 students with certificates, noted that this was the 22nd summer school programme organised since 2003 and that the total number of students that have completed the course was over the 200 mark.
“We certainly had no idea when we started the Summer School programme and then introduced the Academic Training Programme, of how popular they would be,” he said.
“”The appeal and immense value of our programmes here in Dundee for female students remains strong. This makes them a success story.”
Al Sayegh extended his thanks to all the students who participated in the programme and the various learning centres in Scotland.
“”It is clear that your commitment, expertise, guidance and cooperation has proved invaluable once again,” he said. “Your involvement makes the Summer School worthwhile for all the students participating.
“On this special occasion I believe it is fitting to pay tribute to the vision of our patron, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for the success of the summer school, through his continuing support for the college and its widely admired work.
“To the students completing the Summer School of 2016 today I say well done. I hope your expectations have been exceeded and that it was an experience to savour,” he added.
“Exciting opportunities lie ahead for you. We encourage you to realise your visions and your potential along whatever path to leadership each of you chose to follow.”
In his address to the gathering Godazgar said: “The programme aims to train and educate students, through mainly the hidden curriculum and to some extent explicit curriculum, teach them the opportunities and challenges of diversity and multiculturalism, and prepare them as potential future leaders in their country.
“Therefore, in order to help develop the global awareness and the skills you will need to become future leaders, the programme was organised and structured in accordance with four main themes of ‘Scottish History and Culture’, ‘Leadership and Management’, ‘Imagination, Art and Presentation’, and ‘English History and Civilisation’.
The participating colleges were Abu Dhabi University, American University in Dubai, American University in Sharjah, British University in Dubai, Cairo University, College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award, Higher College of Technology, Qatar University, UAE University, University of Malaysia, University of Sharjah and Zayed University.
