Shell supports strategic forum on higher education

The forum, to be held at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi on 21 and 22 April, will focus on the growing demand for higher education across the region and the opportunities available to Gulf nationals in the Gulf and in UK institutions.

HH Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University will give the inaugural address. Covering a wide range of topics including the emergence of women in the Arab work place, distance learning, technology transfer and training programmes, the Forum will be addressed by leading personalities from the regional and international education sector.

Considering the escalating demand for higher education and vocational training in the region and the prospects available in the UK, the Forum aims to bring together experts on a common platform to discuss how the two regions can work together for the benefit of the Gulf youth.

"Education is a core issue in the Gulf region where the youth make up a much higher proportion of the overall population than in any other part of the world," said Dr. Mohamed Defrawi, Managing Director, Shell Abu Dhabi BV. "The importance of education in shaping the next generation can never be under-estimated, and we recognize this at Shell, where we support education and training at all levels, both within the organisation or through community initiatives."

The Forum will be attended and addressed by high ranking ministers from the Gulf states and experts from the field of higher education in the Gulf and UK as well as representatives from the corporate sector including Adam Lomas, Director of Learning and Development for Shell. The event is supported by the British Council and co-chaired by Dr. Hanif Al Qassimi, Vice President, Zayed University and Sir Alan Munro, former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and governor of the Imperial College in London.