Open Day at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi

The program started by awarding students who achieved the highest in all eight levels in the Intensive French Program, who have finished their first semester successfully. Rashed Al Neyadi gave a speech thanking on behalf of his colleagues, the wise leadership in the UAE, headed by H.H.Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan, President, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince and Deputy Command Supreme, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, for their continuous support and encouragement for this historical project, which has accomplished outstanding success.

PSUAD was honored to receive many VIPs who visited the campus demonstrating their support and concern for education, including His Excellency Mr. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director General of ADEC; His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Director of Abu Dhabi Educational Zone; and Mr. Khalfan Al Mansouri, Director of Western Educational Zone.

Followed next was school visits of 12th grade students who were received by Admission and Registration staff who gave them an overview of the university, its objectives, curricula, and requirements. Students proceeded to the faculty for detailed description of each major. Students go to know about the European 3-year Licence programs offered at PSUAD: Archaeology & History of Art; French & Comparative Literature; Information & Communication; Geography & Urban Planning; History, civilizations and international affairs; Languages & Business; Law; Philosophy; and Music and Musicology.

Students' next stop was Cultural and Student Life department headed by Mrs. Asmahane Azzam who explained in a friendly presentation the vital role of this department in heightening the importance of culture and sports in students' life educating them how to build bridges with the world around them. "Our team is responsible for the planning of programs and activities for the students and the campus community.

Highlights of the activities calendar include theatre, painting and music clubs, organized visits to museums and exhibitions held in the UAE as well as participation in social community campaigns, organization of international conferences, etc." added Mrs. Azzam.

Next, students proceeded to Residence affairs, where Mrs. Chantal Abboud, Head of Residence Department and Mr. Patrick Khoury, Student Housing Senior Coordinator of males section, greeted students and explained to them the role of the residence in providing an encouraging atmosphere for students to study and engage in extra curriculum activities. The residence team also answered questions concerning types of rooms and other residential services.

The program ended with speeches for Major General Omar, vice president of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi; Dr. Daniel Balland, Director General of the university; and Dr. Mohamed Al Shehhi, Deputy Director General; that emphasized the fact that the establishment of PSUAD truly creates a Bridge between Civilisations. That is, it links the European and French, in particular, civilization with the Arabic and Islamic civilization with a bond of knowledge, enlightenment, and dialogue at a time where we are in a desperate need for mutual understanding and practical interaction between civilizations. Major General Al Bitar also announced the eagerness and anticipation of PSUAD community for the new campus Al Reem Island, well designed in terms of exceptional academic buildings, administrative offices, auditorium, lecture theaters, Library and dinning area, Residence, sports center and other facilities.

Visitors ended their pleasant visit with a friendly lunch with the community of PSUAD. It is worth mentioning that PSUAD, now in its second academic year, has proved its devotion to the best of education, student activities.