Emirati students get glimpse of Dubai's future

The presentation, on Dubai Festival City's state-of-the-art marketing barge berthed on the Creek took the students and lecturers through the 15 distinct communities, which make up the centreplace destination. They heard how Dubai Festival City would set new benchmarks for the emirate's tourism, golf, retail, entertainment, living and working offerings.

"This is going to attract more foreign visitors to Dubai but also has a lot to offer the local population," said student Mohammed Hassan. "I look forward to coming here in the future to relax and have fun. This project has something to offer everyone."

The students' consensus was that the 1,600 acre project - the largest mixed-use development in the Middle East - would do much to further enhance the reputation of Dubai as a modern, cosmopolitan and world-class destination.

"Just a decade ago, people overseas who had never visited Dubai thought it was a land of just desert and camels - that's all changed now and Dubai Festival City will again help alter long-held international perceptions," said student Mohammed Binghelaita.