Partnership between Cambridge and the United Arab Emirates University

It is intended that it will lay the foundations for a ten-year strategic academic collaboration that will develop and strengthen research and teaching in the Gulf region.

In a new initiative, to be supported by the Abu Dhabi government, the University of Cambridge and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) today announced plans to work together towards a partnership to deliver teaching and research that will be responsive to the strategic needs of Abu Dhabi.

Cambridge University, through Cambridge Judge Business School, and UAEU intend to agree a set of areas for a programme of collaborative research in areas of mutual interest that will meet the strategic priorities of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, while enhancing the Emirate’s profile and reputation as an emerging centre for academic and business excellence and its relevance to the region and wider world

UAE University is the Nation’s first, largest and most eminent university, and is now undergoing a rapid transformation to become truly research-intensive. Its College of Business & Economics is AACSB Accredited and is already very highly regarded within the region for the strength of its undergraduate and graduate programmes. This strategic alliance will bring additional strengths to the Nation and region.

Cambridge Judge Business School is a department of the University of Cambridge, which was founded in 1209 and is generally ranked among the top handful of universities in the world. The Business School draws on its own faculty and the resources of the wider University to produce innovative research, deliver exciting and challenging courses, and engage with complex organisations in the business and not for profit sectors.

It is intended that the partnership will develop through a ten-year programme of Fellowships, Visiting Professorships, joint research and dissemination, with some work led by Professorships endowed by the Abu Dhabi government.

The accelerated growth in the UAEU’s ability to educate leaders that would result from a partnership of this kind will help secure the Emirate’s profile and reputation as an emerging centre of academic and business excellence in the region and wider world.

HH Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, who is Chancellor of UAEU, commented: “UAE University has an important role to play in the future prosperity of the nation. It can only achieve this through expansion of its research mission and through mutually beneficial partnerships with world-class institutions. I am delighted at the prospect of these ambitions being substantially strengthened by this alliance with the University of Cambridge that also reflects and reinforces the UAE’s unique relationship with the United Kingdom.”

Dr Abdulla Al-Khanbashi, Vice-Chancellor of UAE University, said: “We are delighted at the prospect of a long-term partnership with one of the world’s leading universities. UAE University is committed to assisting the Government in its vision to create a hub of educational excellence in the Gulf region and we have been impressed by Cambridge’s understanding of our ambitions and their commitment to enhancing the capacity of the UAE University. We look forward to formalising our agreement in the near future.”

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “Under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi has been able to articulate a great vision for its educational and economic development. The University looks forward to the opportunity to participate in this work of transformation and to building a strong partnership with our colleagues in UAEU.”

Picture caption:
• HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Chancellor of Cambridge University
• HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAEU