Elite of the UAE's business and government sector celebrate official launch of The British University in Dubai

The event, sponsored by Dubai Natural Gas featured keynote addresses by Mr. Mirza Al Sayegh, founding member of BuiD's Provisional Council, and Mr. David J. Lock, Registrar and Acting Chief Executive for BuiD.

In his address Mr. Al Sayegh thanked H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the Minister of Finance and Industry, and H. H. General Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the UAE Minister of Defense, for their continuous support to BUiD since its establishment. He also gave thanks and praise to H. H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Ministry staff for their great efforts, valuable direction and time devoted to helping establish the University.

In speaking on the creation of the University Mr. Al Sayegh said, "The British University in Dubai has come as the result of great work and huge effort, as well as cultural agreement. An elite group of dedicated nationals has worked closely with three prestigious British universities that have extensive expertise in the field of academic work and research. We hope that the new experience will compliment the advancement of the UAE's higher education and parallel the approach of His Highness and the rulers of the UAE, towards strengthening the foundations of higher education."

Mr. Lock told the guests that The British University in Dubai (BUiD), a unique research-based university will open with full- and part-time Masters degree programmes in Informatics, Education and Engineering (Project Management) beginning in September 2004. The University is open to all nationalities.

He emphasized that programmes would be of the same high caliber as BUiD's partner universities - The University of Edinburgh, The University of Birmingham and The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

In closing Mr. Lock said "This is a very proud day for the University and we are very grateful to the continued support from His Highness, the rulers of the UAE, the business community, government and our British partners."

Attendees at today's luncheon included: HE Essa Al Gurg, UAE Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Dhahi Khalfan, Chief of Police, Mr. Saeed Al Ghandi, Speaker to the Federal National Council, Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee, Director General of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mubarak Bin Fouad, Director General of the World Trade Centre, Mr. Saeed Hussein Al Muntafiq, Director General of the Dubai Development and Investment Authority and Mr. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO, Mashreq Bank.