Dubai Knowledge Village-NUFFIC announce strategic partnership on higher education

The agreement was signed in Dubai by Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), and Dr. J.H.C. Walenkamp, Director of Knowledge and Innovation of NUFFIC. Abdullatif Almulla, CEO of TECOM Investments, was also present.

HE Frank Heemskerk, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, and Roderick van Schreven, Director General of Foreign Economic Relations, The Netherlands were present at the signing ceremony. A five member delegation also accompanied the Dutch minister at the ceremony.

While, the MoU provides a framework and an outline of common goals, both parties agreed to build a comprehensive inter-regional cooperation.

Dr. Kazim said:

"Collaboration with NUFFIC will move us closer to our goal of establishing quality education institutions in the region. Eleven of the top 200 universities in the world are based in The Netherlands, and we are keen to embrace their knowledge and experience as an opportunity to explore and discover an education system so highly-regarded around the world."

NUFFIC plans to set up a regional office at the Dubai Knowledge Village in an effort to promote Dutch higher education institutions within the UAE. As a non-profit professional organisation based in The Hague, NUFFIC seeks to make education accessible all over the globe by providing infrastructure support to countries which require the service.

Dr. J.H.C. Walenkamp, Director, Knowledge and Innovation of NUFFIC, said: "Dubai shows great potential to become a hub for higher education not only at international level but also at a standard that signifies respect and quality. We are confident partnering with Dubai Knowledge Village in this educational project will be a rewarding experience for both parties."

NUFFIC, founded in 1952, is a non-profit, professional organisation based in The Hague, Netherlands. It aims to make education more accessible all over the world, especially in countries where educational infrastructure is lacking. It provides these countries with services and expertise through international cooperation in higher education. NUFFIC's motto is 'linking knowledge worldwide'.

NUFFIC works on behalf of various Dutch government departments and other public and private-sector organisations to administer academic cooperation programmes. It also seeks to promote international mobility of students and academic staff through scholarships and grants, and to attract students who are looking to study overseas from identified target countries.