Students Get a Taste of Italian Culture Week

ABU DHABI — A video featuring Italy’s contribution to the world, a business forum, tips on doing business with citizens of that country, a concert and the launch of an exhibition of paintings were the highlights of the first day of the Italian Culture Week at Abu Dhabi University (ADU) on Sunday.

By Olivia Olarte

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Published: Tue 8 Dec 2009, 10:30 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 9:27 AM

The opening day was attended by students of the university who were impressed by the presentation of the achievements of Italy from the early inventions of the Roman aqueducts to radio, telescope, automobile and to the modern microchip, personal computer and MP3.

Noting the importance of the event in boosting diplomatic relations with the UAE and in holding the Italian Culture Week at ADU, Christian Lungarotti, deputy head of Mission at the Italian Embassy, said, “We are bringing the students here closer to the Italian culture.”

In recognition of the important role played by the students as future leaders of the country, Lungarotti said it is imperative that they have an understanding of the Italian culture to “get deeper into the relationship” with his country.

“This helps us expose our students to different cultures and to inform others of ours. The cultural exchange is an educational process that broadens the students’ understanding, tolerance and ability to accept others, making our students world citizens,” said Dr Nabil A. Ibrahim, chancellor of ADU.

The rest of the evening included an interactive session with Professor Carlo Alberto Pratesi of the University of Roma who shared seven tips on the things people need to know before doing business with Italians.

Comparing Italians with a mobile phone which, some say, these Europeans cannot live without, Pratesi defined his compatriots as personal, always ‘on’ and flexible, made for conversation, based on a network, mobile (somehow), innovative in design and technology, and handheld.

After a brief video presentation of the education model of the LUISS Guido Carli University in Italy and a question and answer session with students, the evening came to an appropriate close with an Italian concert. Mariam Al Shamsi, an Emirati MBA student at ADU, commended the event saying the UAE has opened itself up to other cultures. — olivia@khaleejtimes.ae

, thus, should expect to see a large number of people from abroad coming here. Likewise, the Emiratis are free as well to explore other countries and pursue their education abroad like her who is mulling over doing up her PhD in the UK.

olivia@khaleejtimes.ae


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