Al Asad meets DSG delegation in Damascus

The School's researchers will also explore Syrian public policy issues under the agreement.

The Vice Chairman of the board of Trustees and Executive President of DSG; Nabil Ali Alyousuf led the delegation to Damascus, where he discussed a memorandum of understanding that opens the way for cooperation between the Harvard-linked Dubai school and various ministries and administrative authorities within the Syrian government.

"The Dubai School of Government has a vital role to play in strengthening public policy and management in the Arab world,"

Alyousuf said.

He added, "Today's agreement is part of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's commitment to share DSG's resources with all Arab countries."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has repeatedly offered to share the emirate's business and management expertise with countries in the region.

Alyousuf led a DSG delegation that included Dean Tarik Yousef and Academic Program Advisor Khalid Al Yahya, who spoke with the Syrian leader about the potential for cooperation between DSG and Syrian institutes in administrative development, as well as e-government initiatives and academic visits. Also in attendance was UAE Ambassador to Syria Yousuf Mohamed Al Medfai, and Mohammed Maher Al Mujtahed, Syria's Secretary-General for Cabinet Affairs.

HH Sheikh Mohammed accompanied President Al Asad on a visit to the Dubai School of Government in June, where the Syrian president sat among several of Dubai's young business and government leaders and led a discussion on issues of political and economic importance to the region.

On Wednesday, the DSG delegation discussed cooperation schemes with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Al-Otari and Mohammed Maher al Mujtahed, Secretary-General for Cabinet Affairs and a member of DSG's Board of Trustees.