Nahyan hails tolerance values at CUD ceremony

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) paid tributes to 50 years of achievements of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the University’s 9th graduation ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Attended by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, in celebration of the UAE Year of Tolerance, the ceremony saw 423 degrees awarded to students graduating in business, engineering, architecture, interior design, communication, and environmental health sciences.

Presiding over the graduation were University Chancellor, Buti Saeed Al Ghandi; honorable guest, Dr Eddy Campbell, President of the University of New Brunswick, Canada; Masud Husain, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE; and the University Board of Trustees, including Sheila Copps PC OC, former Heritage Minister, Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada; Dalton McGuinty, former Premier of Ontario, Canada; Aldea Landry, former Cabinet Minister and Deputy Premier of New Brunswick, Canada; and Abdulla Mohd Obaidallah, Member of the Board of Directors for Emirates Investment and Development.

In paying tribute to 50 years of achievements of Sheikh Mohammed, the ceremony drew parallels with the lifeworks of Leonardo da Vinci, whose 500th anniversary is being observed this year.

Reflecting the shared spirit of creative innovation and visionary leadership, the event showcased some of the two men’s most outstanding accomplishments.

Addressing the audience, Sheikh Nahyan said he was pleased to attend the graduation of the Class of Tolerance from Canadian University Dubai, which represents a celebration of several things.

“First, the ceremony coincides with our celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the pioneering leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; a wonderful journey of love for the motherland and dedicated service to society and humanity. Second, he said, the Class of 2019 is a celebration of tolerance, which represents a clear understanding of the strong link between education and tolerance.

Addressing the gathering, Buti said he was delighted that this year’s graduation coincides with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, declaring 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, which reflects the approach adopted by the nation to serve as a bridge of communication between the peoples and cultures of the world in an open and respectful environment, rejecting extremism.

Buti also praised Sheikh Mohammed for launching a number of quality initiatives that contributed to making the UAE a global capital of tolerance, including the establishment of the International Institute for Tolerance, the first such organisation in the Arab World.

Buti said education is playing an important role in guiding people to live their lives in peace and harmony.

“Education is an essential tool for the development of tolerant social behaviour and understanding and respect for different cultures and civilisations,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the students at the ceremony, MBA graduate Meera Abdullah Obaidalla said, “As we mark the UAE Year of Tolerance, I must say that we have all been blessed to be part of a university community that wholeheartedly embodies this principle. On behalf of all graduates, I thank the University for building our characters as much as helping us to earn our degrees, because it is this strength that will set us apart as we take our next steps.”

The ceremony was among several events being hosted by the University with the aim of promoting the principles of collaboration and inclusivity, in recognition of the UAE Year of Tolerance.

On April 17, the University will unite the musical talents of Canadian University Dubai’s EnSEmble – UAE’s first Choir for People of Determination – with the 2013 Arab Idol Mohammed Assaf, in an inspiring musical evening at Dubai Opera, with the goal of raising autism awareness.