70 National students to participate in SDOA Intercultural Project in Italy

Their visit coincides with the 20th anniversary celebrations of SDOA.

The UAE student delegation was welcomed at Salerno, Italy by the SDOA President Dr. Vittorio Paravia, UAE Ambassador HE Abdullamin Al Kazim, Secretary General of Al Maktoum Foundation Mr. Mohammed bin Ghannam and Dr. Giulio Marini, First Secretary of the Italian Embassy in the UAE.

Held on 29 January, the SDOA's anniversary celebrations included a conference under the patronage of the Italian Republic President, HE Giorgio Napolitano, highlighting main cultural issues facing the society.

During the event, Dr. Vittorio Paravia, SDOA President presented an overview of the institution's achievements over the last 20 years.

He said: "We are especially proud about the training opportunities provided by SDOA that facilitated the employment of more than 2,000 students. SDOA is also playing a vital role in promoting cultural exchange between Italy and the UAE through The Intercultural Project."

President Paravia also thanked the Al Maktoum Foundation for partnering with SDOA in developing the valuable messages of Islamicjerusalem studies in Italy.

SDOA expressed its gratitude to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai and HE Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for supporting The Intercultural Project.

Speaking at the conference, the Italian Minister of Public Administration Reforms and Innovation, Luigi Nicolais applauded institutions such as SDOA in bringing new managerial ideas into modern globalize economies.

The event was attended by a panel of experts, including Italian Deputy Chief of the Environment Ministry Gaetano Benedetto, Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Sergio D'Antoni, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport Andrea Annunziata.

Emirates Airline was facilitated on the occasion for supporting the Italian study tours from the UAE.

The UAE students will attend the Entrepreneurship Course, comprising segments on new business start-ups, business development, leadership, managerial approaches, international trade, business ethics and the comparison of different managerial models The Entrepreneurship Course will count as almost three credit hours for the students.

The students will also participate in educational visits to factories of famous Italian products.

Two special workshops will be conducted for the students addressed by HE Emma Bonino, Minister of International Trade and Prof. Mario Baldassarri, Senator of Italian Republic and Economist.

The Italian state is issuing 3.5 million National stamps to commemorate SDOA's anniversary.

The Imam of Rome Ala al Ghazaly and Cardinal Martino were also presented an award during the anniversary celebrations as an appreciation for their exceptional contribution towards promoting peace.

The SDOA Intercultural Project has received the patronage of the Italian Ministry for International Trade, the Italian Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Innovation, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Embassy of Italy in UAE, the UAE Embassy in Italy and the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.