Education Secretary Visits UAE, Addresses American University in Dubai Commencement Ceremony
May 21, 2008 - United States Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings visited the UAE May 16-21 to explore new avenues for partnership in education between the U.S. and the UAE; she also gave the commencement address at the American University in Dubai. During her visit, she focused on innovative and useful ways in which the U.S. may assist the UAE in enhancing their strategies for educational reform and development. Secretary Spellings and UAE Minister of Education HE Dr. Hanif Hassan signed a five-year Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. and the UAE, committing both sides to consult and collaborate on mutually beneficial projects in educational reform and development. More on Secretary Spellings' visit to Abu Dhabi can be found on the website of the American Embassy in Abu Dhabi at http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/.
In Dubai, Secretary Spellings had the honor to deliver the keynote address for the eleventh American University in Dubai commencement exercise. In her speech, she lauded the UAE’s dedication to education, noting that investments in quality education will pay dividends in the future. "The United States and United Arab Emirates share more than just a first name. We are united in our strong belief in education. And we have made parallel journeys to improve our schools at every level." Summing up her impressions from her visit at the Commencement Ceremony at AU Dubai, she said, "If the future has an address," she noted, "it may well be here." Secretary Spellings also stressed the linkages between education and democracy. "Just as democracy depends on education, education depends on democracy," she said.
Secretary Spellings met in Dubai with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed focused on the importance of education in the UAE and discussed current efforts to improve the education systems in other, less-fortunate countries. Impressed with the range of Sheikh Mohammed's efforts, Spellings commented, "Mohammed bin Rashid has achieved a qualitative leap in various sectors, particularly in the development of human resources and education." Secretary Spellings also met with Dr. Rima Khalaf Hunaidi, the CEO of the Mohammad bin Rashid Foundation. Dr. Khalaf highlighted the efforts of the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation to help achieve Sheikh Mohammed’s goals. Based on the three strategic pillars of knowledge and education, culture, and job creation and entrepreneurship, the $10 billion foundation aims to provide opportunities to young and creative leaders in the region by equipping them with world-class knowledge and education.
Secretary Spellings visited the American University of Sharjah, where she met HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The two discussed Sheikh Sultan’s longstanding support for higher education and AUS’s plans for the future. Secretary Spellings also toured the American University of Sharjah campus and the HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi Center for Gulf Studies.
Secretary Spellings also visited the campuses of Zayed University and the American University in Dubai. In her meetings with both educators and students, Secretary Spellings encouraged foreign students to study in the United States. “We welcome students from all over the world to come and study in the United States,” she said. Such exchanges, she added, help to bridge gaps in cultural understanding and facilitate dialogue.