@SorbonneAD Nahayan bin Mubarak attends the 4th PSUAD graduation ceremony

164 Bachelors and Masters students from 58 nationalities.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Paris Sorbonne University – Abu Dhabi graduated its fourth promotion, class of 2013, of bachelors and masters programs; 164 graduates: 99 bachelors students, 65 masters students. Students were both Emirati Nationals and from 58 different nationalities.

HE Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak al Nahyan handed the diplomas to graduates during a ceremony held at the auditorium at the university campus on Al Reem Island. Present at the ceremony were HE Dr. Mugheer al Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council ADEC, Vice president of PSUAD; Professor Barthelemy Jobert, PSUAD President; Professor Frederique Dardel, President of Paris V University; Professor Fabrice Chemla, Vice President of Paris VI University; and Professor Eric Fouache, PSUAD Vice-Chancellor as well as faculty members, administrative staff and students families.

HE delivered an address to students in which he congratulated them and wished them the best of luck in their careers, hoping they will contribute to the economic development. His Excellency also commended the university and its academic status.

Professor Barthelemy Jobert, PSUAD President underlined the fact that education will remain the main pillar for the renaissance of nations, the advancement of societies and the basis of every civilization. Without education, a nation would not be able to build its future and position its civilization among the peoples of the world. He also emphasized the important role played by PSUAD as a bridge between the European and Arab civilizations, also as an academic and cultural center in the Middle East.

 

President Jobert added, "I invite you dear graduates, as Sorbonne graduates, to take upon yourselves an academic and community responsibilities. Never forget your university, your professors, and all that you have learned, for you are responsible of holding the name of Sorbonne high, and proving that the education you received here is among the best in the world". He reminded them that the diplomas they received are not only Emirati but also French. 

Dr. Mugheer al Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, on his part, stated that great hope lied in the development the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in various sectors of life and in the fact that the Emirate is advancing in firm steps towards a knowledge based economy relying on innovation and production of knowledge in line with its 2030 economic vision. He added that opening PSUAD was a leading step, and that this university has started to become an integral part of the Emirati society, working on pushing for the needed advancement, especially that this well established institution is a major milestone in the education sector in Abu Dhabi that has left its print on the education agenda in the Middle East as a whole.

Al Khaili underlined that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has become, as of late, a world-class hub attracting among universities, institutes and think tanks around the world. This was made possible through the unique education environment it provides, one based on diversity embracing many cultures and nationalities without any distinction. Dr. Al-Khaili stressed on the importance of having international universities, and providing the needed support for them to play their role in fostering the education system in the Emirate to elevate it to the international standards that the UAE seeks to read under the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

His Excellency addressed the students asking each one of them to incarnate authentic values and excellent ethics, to be the ambassadors of PSUAD, the university that welcomed them and educated them. He reminded them how important it was for them not to content themselves with the diploma they just received and to think of how they can improve their academic levels and implementation in order to become a value added for the local labor market.

Professor Eric Fouache, Vice-Chancellor of PUAD, in his speech, welcomed those present at the graduation, parents and friends, expressing his happiness to be sharing this long awaited moment of celebrating the success of their sons and daughters. A moment they have worked hard for years to reach.

Pr. Fouache said "I have the honor to share with you these beautiful moments and to express my happiness to see yet a new promotion graduating. Graduated will now join their peers who have preceded them and have found their position in the labor market. They will now start serving their community and fulfilling their responsibilities".

He underlined that PSUAD provided the same curriculum as Paris, with the same level of academic excellence. The Sorbonne degree is recognized worldwide and is delivered from Paris to the Abu Dhabi graduates. He also noted that soon a number of Nationals who have completed their masters will be sent to Paris-Sorbonne for their PhD. After their graduation they will return to work in PSUAD, and it's expected that they will be the starting point of a National Faculty in the university.

Majed Al Khemairi, an emirati student, gave the graduates speech saying: "Any advanced nation's main resource comes from its human capital. This was indeed underlined by the founder of our country the UAE, the great man behind the country's renaissance and pride, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. We remember his wise words, that have been our motto in serving God and the nation under the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the vision and wisdom of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme commander of the armed forces, as well as the attention and support from HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs"

Majed expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates and its leadership for the education opportunities they provide. He also thanked the professors and parents for their support and their efforts to help the students.