Special Edition Newsletter

The American Business Council EMIRATI ALUMNI OF US UNIVERSITIES — RENEWING THE CONNECTION

Host for the evening, Jeff Johnson, President, Boeing Middle East, with Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi and the Honorable Michael Corbin.

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On Monday, September 26, the American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates honored UAE Nationals who studied at US universities with a reception at the Pavilion Downtown Dubai.

Held in conjunction with the US Consulate Dubai, the Council hosted over 150 invited guests, Emirati alumni from universities across the US and ABC members. Platinum sponsor, Boeing Middle East’s President, Jeff Johnson, hosted the evening introducing the new US Ambassador, the Honorable Michael Corbin and keynote speaker, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The event was a manifestation of the strength of connections between Emirati and American networks through the shared values placed on higher education by the US and UAE and the many Emirati students who study at US universities.

The keynote address given by Sheikha Lubna set the tone for the event with her cogent account of life and studies at her US alma mater, California State University. She recognized the widespread influence the American higher education system has had on the development of understanding between the two nations and its impact on her own way of thinking about work and leadership.

Alumni from 65 US colleges and universities attended the event, a testament to the depth and range of the American higher education institutions available to US and Emirati students.

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From the keynote address by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi This is a wonderful occasion to celebrate our country’s kinship with America and I am very happy to be a part of it.

Before anything else, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ambassador Michael Corbin and wish him a very productive and memorable stay here in the Emirates. I would also like to commend the American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates for hosting this event. The Council has been very instrumental in strengthening commercial as well as cultural ties between the Emirati and American communities and so I wish it the very best as it carries on it’s good work. And to all the participating universities and schools, business representatives and government officials present here this evening, thank you for your show of support for the mutual growth and enduring friendship of the US and the United Arab Emirates.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It seems like just yesterday when I went to California to purse a degree in computer science. I was lucky to receive a

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From the keynote Address by Her Excellency continues government scholarship for a field seldom ex-

The most important thing I learned from my

plored by an Emirati, much less a woman.

American mentors was that there were no lim-

Things were different back then; computer sci-

its to what I could achieve, so long as I had

ence was a very tough field with few women.

enough knowledge, ambition and self-

There were only around five us us ladies in our

confidence. I proved this to my peers, my edu-

class of 30, and technology was at a level

cators and more importantly to myself when I

where virtual reality and the internet would

eventually became a member of my univer-

have been regarded as science fiction. For

sity’s Computer Science Honor Society. It is a

someone like me who received her entire high

lesson that I have been applying continuously

school education in Arabic, learning the lan-

since my return to the UAE. It has helped me

guage and the culture of America was an extra

achieve many great things, such as inspiring

challenge.

many other Arab women to take up careers in

But I seldom back down from a challenge, something that was ingrained in me by my lov-

technical fields and to become the first-ever female official of the UAE Government.

ing family who have always encouraged me to

I am thus very pleased that many Emiratis

excel in everything I do. A turning point came

have decided to pursue higher education under

when I was invited to live with an American

the wings of American universities. I am sure

family during my first three years of study. I

that, like me, you have all been instilled with

valued the guidance and hospitality of the

the values of hard work, discipline, fairness

woman who I would come to regard as my

and teamwork. These will help you perform

American mother and thoroughly enjoyed han-

above the expectations of any organization you

dling my own personal affairs such as doing

join. And for those of you here who are think-

my own housekeeping and paying my bills.

ing about going to America to get your educa-

This was a far cry from the sheltered life I was

tion, I highly recommend that you do so, and

accustomed to, but I embraced the opportunity

please allow me to give you some advice to

to discipline myself, manage my time well and

make your experiences more fruitful.

nurture my individuality. I wasn’t just getting an American education anymore; I became part of America.

First of all, take advantage of the close ties between industry and academia that are common in the US. California State University is

In the classroom, I found myself in friendly

near Silicon Valley so during my college years

competition with highly motivated American

we often made site visits to computer compa-

classmates who shared their knowledge

nies and had valuable first-hand exposure to

through out study groups. My professors

industry. Second, take advantage of the chance

treated me with fairness and respect and en-

to develop your individuality, as I did. Lastly,

couraged me to identify and maximize my po-

immerse yourself in the culture. Explore the

tential. I viewed America with great admira-

American way of life while sharing the best

tion, for its industriousness and zeal which

parts of your own heritage. This provides

helped form my way of thinking in terms of

you with a global view and hones your

work and leadership.

skills.

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I understand why Emiratis and other foreigners

defense. We are experiencing rapid growth in

prefer to discover their host country as a group,

civil aviation, renewable energy and other in-

as there is a feeling of comfort and familiarity.

novative business areas that will sustain the

But I have also studied in Japan and the UK

UAE’s role as America’s top commercial ally in

and really benefitted from exploring those won-

the Middle East.

derful places as an individual. People appreciate the extra effort a foreigner exerts to take in the local culture. On one of my official visits to

Moreover, the constant influx of enthusiastic business delegates, which ranks among America’s top contributions to our economic growth,

America someone complimented me for commu-

continues to significantly drive and define our

nicating as if I were one of them. This ability to

collaboration. I encourage the American busi-

genuinely interact with all peoples is important

ness community to keep up their spirited ex-

to fostering strong ties, whether for business,

ploration of the trade and investment opportu-

leisure or socialization.

nities that we offer.

I would also like to add, that an American edu-

For our part, the UAE will continue to assist in

cation helps in the Emiratization process. By

the growth of the US economy by expanding its

acquiring extensive research, management and

market access to our country and the region,

leadership skills, our youth become well-

injecting capital and providing jobs for its citi-

prepared and properly skilled to take on big re-

zens. We intend to honor our end as one of the

sponsibilities as they participate in our nation’s

fastest growing economic partnerships for the

development.

US in the world. We would like to reaffirm our

It is my hope that Americans living and working in the Emirates and the more than 750 American companies doing business on our shores feel as much at home as I do whenever I travel back to the US. I still communicate with the friends I made when I was studying there and some of them have even visited me here. I value the bridges my country and I have built with the US and look forward to many more great things we shall do together in the future.

all-out support for the activities of the ABC and other organizations that keep the flame of camaraderie and cooperation between our nations burning bright.

Nothing ever grows without a seed. We thank America’s education system for planting the ideals of perseverance, hard work, individuality and ambition within all the Emirati students it has warmly accommodated. We thank America, for being our friend and partner since the earliest days of our sovereignty. And we

As for the business aspects of our relations, the

wish the best of luck to our Emirati youth who

UAE is the largest export market for the US in

are pondering an academic life in the US. May

the Middle East. We make certain that all the

we all continue reaping the rewards of our mu-

right elements are in place for America to con-

tual support, trust and respect.

tinue enjoying brisk business with the Emirates. I am pleased to say that our ties extend beyond traditional sectors such as oil, gas and

THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

American colleges and universities share a commitment to developing thinkers — graduates who embrace creativity, ingenuity and an openness to new ideas, ingredients that hold together the key to success in the knowledge-based economy of the future.

US Ambassador to the UAE Michael Corbin

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

DUKE UNIVERSITY

Johnson THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

Nothing grows without a seed. We thank America’s educational system for planting the ideals of perseverance, hard work, individuality and ambition within all the Emirati students it has warmly accommodated.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

SCHOOL

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN SERVICE QATAR

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The most important thing I learned from my American mentors was that there were no limits to what I could achieve.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

HULT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL

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Attracting international students is critical for the US as a nation, in order to learn from others and create a diverse workforce.

President, Boeing Middle East, Jeff Johnson

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI

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The constant influx of enthusiastic business delegates, which ranks among America’s top contributions to our economic growth,

continues to significantly drive and define our collaboration.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

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US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES’ REPRESENTED BY ALUMNI AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY COLORADO

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

BEDFORD UNIVERSITY

NORTH CAROLINA A & T UNIVERSITY

BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLOMBIA UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY LAMAR UNIVERSITY MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MERCER UNIVERSITY METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY COLORADO MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNT ST. MARY COLLEGE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA A & T UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

DUKE UNIVERSITY

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

PACE UNIVERSITY

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

REED COLLEGE

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

SCRIPPS COLLEGE

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

MERCER UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY Continues on next page

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US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES’ REPRESENTED BY ALUMNI continued STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK STEPHEN AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY SWARTHMORE COLLEGE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY TULANE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF DENVER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY WESLEYAN COLLEGE WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

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PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS UNIVERSITIES Duke University Georgetown University – School of Foreign Service in Qatar Hult International Business School New York University –Abu Dhabi SECONDARY SCHOOLS Dubai National School Universal American School

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Boeing – Platinum Sponsor American Hospital of Dubai – Gold Sponsor WITH APPRECIATION TO The Pavilion, Ahmed and Rashid bin Shabib and The Palace Hotel

WITH OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi UAE MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE

who inspires and motivates all who know her to push beyond obstacles in our paths to our reach our highest potential.

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I would also like to commend the American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates for hosting this event. The Council has been very instrumental in strengthening commercial as well as cultural ties between the Emirati and American communities and so I wish it the very best as it carries on it’s good work.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL The American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (ABC) operates under the auspices of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and functions as the Dubai Chapter of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since its founding in 1985, the ABC has supported American business and acts as a liaison between government and commercial enterprises.