Sheikh Saud holds talks with US congressional delegation

The congressional delegation, headed by Representative Ruben Hinojosa of Texas and Chairman of the sub-committee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, also included Representatives, Mazie Hirono, Grace Napolitano, Ed Pastor and Henry Brown.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between UAE and the United States and discussed ways to strengthen the existing ties, especially in the field of higher education and scientific research.

The congressional delegation, including members of the House Committee on Education and Labour, is currently on a visit to the UAE to examine UAE- US cooperation in the higher education sector.

Sheikh Saud said that bilateral relations between UAE and the US have witnessed steady growth, reflecting the warm ties between the two countries.

"The higher education sector holds great promise for forging new partnerships which could lead to greater academic cooperation between UAE- based institutions and US Universities."

he added.

Sheikh Saud said that RAK Government believes that developing human resources is the key to success and is currently creating an education city which will have the presence of several leading international varsities.

Representative Ruben Hinojosa said that academic cooperation between US and UAE have attained much progress with the growing presence of US universities in the UAE.

"We came here to see how those Universities are participating and contributing to the growth and development of the UAE," he added.

Richard Olson, US Ambassador to the UAE, and Paul Sutphin, US Consul General in Dubai, were also present at the meeting.

Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ruler's Private Affairs Department, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the RAK Finance Department and RAK Free Trade Zone, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation, Shekh Saqr bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Deputy Chairman of RAK Free Trade Zone, and a number of officials were present at the meeting.

Serge H. Guillaume, Executive Director of Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) made a presentation about the investment opportunities and developmental projects being implemented in Ras Al Khaimah.

Sheikh Saud also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting delegation.

Later the delegation visited the George Mason University's Ras Al Khaimah Campus (GMU-RAK), the first full branch campus of an American university in the UAE.