Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signs an MoU with Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland

5 June, 2017

Abu Dhabi, 5th June, 2017: Sorbonne Abu Dhabi has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland to provide scientific research and training support to academics and students, as well as foster academic communication and cooperation between the two parties. The agreement was signed yesterday by Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and HE Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland, on the University’s campus in Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

The MoU aims to create a framework of cooperation between Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland to promote scientific and cultural diversity between the university and the college. This will be done by launching a number of academic training programmes that will enhance students’ skills and openness to cultural diversity in the world. Current undergraduate and postgraduate students of Sorbonne University will be able to take part in these courses and programmes at Al-Maktoum College.

The agreement also aims to encourage students to participate in scientific research, given its importance in supporting the scientific process as well as economic, cultural and social activities. Through these programmes, students will be involved in scientific research preparation and publishing, and in organizing lectures and seminars to present and discuss the results.

Prof. Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, said: “In line with our slogan ‘a bridge between civilisations’, we always seek to strengthen relationships between our students from different cultures and offer them all sorts of educational and academic opportunities to acquire new knowledge and broaden their horizons. This MoU with Al-Maktoum College is part of our joint strategy to create and strengthen the convergence between students, as well as to achieve our goals in education, academic training and scientific research. We are looking forward to this unique partnership, which is an important step in our educational journey in Abu Dhabi.”

HE Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sorbonne Abu Dhabi’s students into our program this year. This agreement is an introduction to developing closer ties between Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education, achieved through training Emirati female students within our Leadership Development Program, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland will provide Sorbonne Abu Dhabi’s students the necessary training through various programmes in different fields, which will promote the global diversity of culture, education and society, and link them to the values and heritage of Islamic societies. Sorbonne Abu Dhabi will also offer similar training programmes to Al-Maktoum College’s students on the University’s campus in Abu Dhabi.