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Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has warned that unless governments around the world set long-term education goals to make their citizens competitive in the global economy, a large segment of the world population would not be able to be part of the emerging knowledge-based economies.
Addressing university graduates after being honoured with a doctorate by the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) during its summer Graduation Day, Sheikh Nahayan quoted a recent UNESCO that revealed that 776 million adults, two-third of them women, lacked even the most basic literacy skills and that 75 million children were not in school.
“This is a tragic situation. How can these children and adults, and through them their countries, ever hope to be a part of the new economies developing today?”
“I strongly believe that the energy, education, vitality and enthusiasm of young people can and will move the global community to focus on issues of common concern and to seek solutions to the most important problems of our time,” Sheikh Nahayan added.
Allaying the concerns about the current economic situation, Sheikh Nahayan said: “We see promising signs that the economic decline will be short-lived. I believe that very soon we will emerge into an even more vibrant and prosperous environment where your talents will be highly valued as we continue our pursuit of a more vigorous and healthy global society.”
Referring to UAE’s role, he said, “We recognize that from the current challenges arise a plethora of new opportunities to shape the future of our planet. I strongly believe that the energy, education, vitality and enthusiasm of young people can and will move the global community to focus on issues of common concern and to seek solutions to the most important problems of our time.”
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan received the doctorate in the presence of His Excellency Jeremy Bruer, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, UOWD Chancellor Michael Codd, Professor Rob Whelan, President of UOWD, other dignitaries, faculty members, graduating students and their families.
Degrees were conferred upon 284 undergraduate and postgraduate students by the Chancellor in the first of the two graduation ceremonies of 2009.
Delivering the citation for His Excellency’s award, Professor Whelan said: “For the University of Wollongong in Dubai this is a momentous occasion, because today we bestow our first honorary doctorate. It is a matter of great pride that this award is to His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan.”
The citation hailed H.E. Sheikh Nahayan’s contribution to Education since 1990. It described him as “a compassionate man, supporting many charitable institutions, especially those dedicated to special needs. A gifted falconer, horseman, helicopter pilot and patron of cricket, he is also well-known for his hospitality and ability to relate well to people in all walks of life.”
“This award is to a visionary leader who has made, and continues to make, an outstanding contribution to the development of higher education and research in the UAE, to a great many areas of this society” added Prof Whelan.
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