Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and former Swiss President visit the American University in Dubai

This presentation was followed by an invitation over lunch that allowed AUD students to confer informally with the Mr Ogi on the latest sports and political issues and challenges. In addition to the student body, this presentation was attended by the university's top administration which included the President, Dr. Lance de Masi and the Vice President, Mr Elias Bou Saab.

HRH Princess Haya, who is an ardent sportswoman with a passion for equestrian sport attended the presentation to display her support for such imperative sportive initiatives that affect the youth of tomorrow.

President Ogi, who is the advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace, highlighted the impact of physical education on facing challenges such as poverty, war, conflict, HIV/AIDS and others in his address to the students. Through this role, he assists the Secretary General in his efforts to reach out to the world of sport in order to promote understanding and support for the work and ideals of the UN.

"Sport is the best school of life; it brings together conflicting nations to indulge in activities that see no boundaries. Through sport we learn to overcome defeat, become a team player and respect others, which in turn are competencies that we require in all areas of life. We can use sport as a mean to promote education, health, development and peace in this world", commented President Ogi.

This year was declared 'The International Year of Sport and Physical Education (IYSPE 2005)' by the UN, which provides a unique opportunity to focus the world's attention on the importance of sports in society.

Dr. Lance De Masi, AUD President, said: "Sport, through it cultivation of so many qualities required for success in life, is real education for the world as it is, and as we would like it to be. We at AUD have come to realize that sport is indeed a universal language. Mr. Ogi's presentation touches on this very theme and puts the spotlight on sport as a formidable force in human development and world peace."

AUD has always been a supporter of its students' physical fitness and health. Based on the directives of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, AUD was the first university in the region to offer sports scholarships to those outstanding athletes who wanted to pursue their higher education.

Since the university's inception in 1995, athletics have always been an extracurricular priority of the University's administration. For the highly skilled and highly competitive athletes, AUD competes in a number of international competitions and intercollegiate sports such as the AUD - Dubai Shopping Festival Intercollegiate Tournament which is the largest intercollegiate sports tournament in the Middle East.