Dubai: The UAE will always be a centre of knowledge, civilisation and human culture that contributes towards creating a future that is suitable for coming generations, the Ruler of Dubai said Monday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said this at the 14th graduation ceremony of American University in Dubai (AUD) last night. He gave 450 students their degrees.
Shaikh Mohammad said the UAE honours innovators and outstanding individuals in the field of art, science, culture, environment, economy, and world peace
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were also present.
Shaikh Mohammad praised the competence of the AUD to cope with the march of modern education at both local and international levels, as well as graduation of youth capable of facing challenges with confidence and high efficiency.
He said these graduates are now occupying prominent and high profile positions in various organisations in the UAE and other countries.
Open portal
Shaikh Mohammad affirmed that the UAE will always be a cultural and humanitarian hub, in addition to being one of the sources of energy and renewable energy and an open portal between the East and the West.
The students got to listen to inspiring addresses from US President Barack Obama's adviser and former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and CNN news anchor and journalist Erin Burnett.
In previous years, AUD has brought over other high-profile speakers, including former US president Bill Clinton, General Colin L. Powell, former US Secretary of State, and Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, among others.
"Never underestimate the power and importance of higher education. In the United States, despite record numbers being without jobs, if you have a college education your college unemployment rate is less than half of those who lack higher education," Gibbs told students.
Robert Gibbs has been an advisor and strategist to Obama from the president's 2004 senate race to the White House. Most recently, Gibbs has served as President Obama's Press Secretary, presiding over daily press briefings.
Because Gibbs has a good rapport with Obama as well as access to the president, he was able to provide insightful commentaries to the students.
On a lighter note, he told students to spend some time enjoying the day thinking about those who helped guide them to this important milestone.
Students were also interested in Burnett's comments as many of them were communications students. Burnett has anchored her live shows from five continents and spends a lot of time in the Middle East where she covered the revolution in Egypt and has reported from Iraq and Iran.
She also hosted a primetime special about Dubai called "City of Money & Mystery" and her work included covering a series of reports on young women in the UAE and the Dubai World Cup and the Burj Khalifa opening.
The big day
450 students graduated from AUD
50 nationalities made up the graduation line-up
5,000 parents, students and dignitaries attended
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