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New campus to put UAEU on world map

AL AIN - Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has said that the efforts to put the UAE University (UAEU) on the world map would be greatly facilitated by the proposed construction of a new campus.

Shaikh Nahyan, who is also the UAEU Chancellor, was addressing the annual meeting of the university faculty at the theatre of Zayed Central Library on Tuesday.

He noted that Al Hikma Development Company was formed last February with the initiative and support of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to carry out the ambitious project for constructing the new university campus.

He said the new campus will allow the university to move into its next stage of development and become a prominent university in the region and the world.

"I thank General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed for his strong support. We expect the new year to witness significant progress in this important project," added Shaikh Nahyan.

He expressed great appreciation for the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and thanked him for his support and encouragement and continued emphasis on the importance of excellent university education for the successful development of human resources in the United Arab Emirates.

"It is also my pleasure to acknowledge with gratefulness the strong support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and that of their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates. We thank them all for their resolve that the UAE University will achieve a level of excellence that meets the country's expectations and the needs of all its citizens," he said.

Shaikh Nahyan said the university must develop a comprehensive academic plan. "I look forward to reviewing this plan with you early this year. The plan should provide new momentum for the continuous improvement of our colleges and programmes."

He said the UAEU must emphasise the continuous improvement of the learning environment at the university, stress student proficiency in foreign languages, and the new year will see the university's research function become more central to its plans and operations.

"The university has a special responsibility in graduate and continuing education. I expect to see an expansion of these programmes during the new year, along with the utilisation of modern technology to deliver education throughout the country," he added.

He said that the use of modern technologies in education and administration should be a priority for the university, as the UAEU will continue efforts to maximise its resources. "We must always be aware of developments in universities around the world. I encourage each college and university unit to determine a list of international universities against which we can measure our progress towards international prominence," he added.

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