Dubai Knowledge Village and International Academic City seek to attract European institutions

The summit, which acts as a network platform dedicated to business partners, is an ideal platform for DKV and DIAC to showcase their potential to more than 800 representatives from business, energy, tourism and academic sectors. Michael Glos, the German Minister of Economics and Technology, also participated in the forum.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, DKV and DIAC Executive Director, said: "We pursue a committed agenda to align the educational cluster with internationally renowned institutions and develop the educational hub as a major destination for learning in the region. Our presence at the Arab-German Forum shows our determination in building stronger ties with major Arab investments groups and businesses based in Germany.

"The education clusters' participation assumes significance following the extraordinary growth witnessed in trade between the UAE and Germany. Currently, Dubai's trade with Germany totals AED 16 billion and the European economic giant is a key trade partner with GCC region."

The Forum focused on steps to strengthen and encourage economic relations between the Arab world and Germany. Trade between the two reached AED169 billion in 2006, compared to AED121 billion in 2004.

The Berlin forum also helped DKV and DIAC to explore areas of partnership which could lead to more European academic institutions looking to Dubai with greater enthusiasm.

Dubai has established a comprehensive and diversified system of higher education in a very short period. The emirate now has one of the highest rates of high school graduates opting to join universities with 95 per cent of all female and 80 per cent of all male students, seeking admission to higher education locally or abroad.