PSUAD launches Open-Sorbonne

The press conference was inaugurated by the Academic Director Pr. Xavier Galmiche, and his Deputy Dr. Mohamed Al Aboodi.

Mr Saeed H. Al Tunaiji; Media Relations Section Head from ADTA; represented the authority as a sponsor of "Open-Sorbonne". Dr. L. Usra Soffan; Head of Research and Studies Department at the National Center for Documentation and Research showed interest in attending the press conference.

PSUAD management explained that

"as the etymology suggests, a university should aspire to be universal. Its foremost mission is to form students. However, the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi aims at accomplishing additional missions, additional requests, and to open its horizons to a new public. It seeks as such to fully assume its double role of a teaching centre and a world class cultural pole in the United Arab Emirates".

Pr. Galmiche added that "The Open-Sorbonne university is a unique non-degree educational programme given by university teachers and expert guests. 'Open-Sorbonne' targets French-speaking, English-speaking and Arab-speaking audiences. It sheds the light on new and traditional themes of reflection and culture in the respective fields of Humanities, Law and even Economic Sciences. These cycles target all those who wish to enhance their knowledge and further develop their academic curiosity. They do not require a previous knowledge of the selected topic, nor do they necessitate any prior degrees".

Dr. Al Aboodi remarked that "The proposed themes for the first edition of Open-Sorbonne have been devised to constitute real learning courses organised in 10 modules, tackling different disciplines and covering broad geographic and chronological eras.

Dr. Céline Pouyat; Head of external Training - Academic Affairs, remarked that "these unique programs will be handled by professors from the Paris-Sorbonne university, who will either be based in Abu Dhabi or will be assuming teaching missions at the university. Guest speakers will also be invited by the university. The scientific excellence of the professors will yield a guarantee of quality for the students".

The First Cycle, which includes 10 conferences, is on the Unities and Diversities of Gulf Countries. The second cycle which consists also on 10 conferences is on the History of western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Willing audience will obtain a certificate of attendance at the outcome of concerned cycles. Students will have access to the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi's library upon presentation of their registration cards. Access to books can only be made inside the library. Library schedules are: 9am to 7pm from Sunday-Thursday; 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

Dr. Al Aboodi concluded the press conference answering all media's questions pertaning to he "Open-Sorbonne". He also invited the media to the university's open day wich will be held on March 3rd and 4th, on campus.