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Dubai Students visit UEL and the multi cultural East End

Wednesday 29 July 2009

The University of East London (UEL) hosted a women’s delegation from the British University in Dubai (BUiD), the Middle East’s first research based postgraduate university on Wednesday 29 July.

The Dubai-based student group from Knowledge Village in Dubai are professionals from across the business and public sector in the Arabian Gulf. They were in East London for the first time to learn more about the role of UEL as a major East London university along with the culture and history of the East End and the forthcoming London 2012 Games.

As part of their tour of UEL, which was organised by Dr Naz Awan from BUiD, the students visited UEL’s prestigious Cass School of Education in Stratford – which will be officially launched in October. The School is one of London's leading centres for teacher training offering highly successful programmes for Primary, Secondary and Post-Compulsory levels.

At the Cass School of Education, the group discussed the differing and similar role of women in both societies with Dr Rania Hafez, Director of Post Compulsory Education and Training at UEL.

There was also an official tour of the developing Olympic site in Stratford to see how plans for the Games were unfolding and learn more about the legacy of the Olympics.

Dr Graham Barnfield, Programme Leader in Journalism at UEL’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences said: “This is a great event that helps students abroad understand UEL and the East London environment better. We are encouraging open dialogue and discussions about cultural and other important issues and that helps us celebrate our differences.

“I’ve worked in Dubai’s media industries and Dr Awan grew up in Walthamstow. We are now building bridges and helping the students appreciate what a global university UEL is and the important links we are creating in the local community and beyond.”

Student Aamna Al Mansoori is studying for a Masters in Education, Information and Communication in Dubai and is an IT teacher. She said: “We are on a cultural visit to see how higher education works in London. I think the Stratford site is modern and UEL is trying to connect the past with the future and that’s important.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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