Melbourne 27th of February 2017

In the framework of continued interest in developing relations and ways of cooperation with Australian universities, His Excellency Dr. Obaid Al Ketbi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador, met with Australian representatives from Melbourne and Monash universities. Also, present, was His Excellency Saeed Al Qemzi, Consul General to the UAE, Mrs Rawdha AlMansoori, Cultural Attache, His Excellency Majed Alameri, Consul, and a number of other diplomats.
His Excellency Dr Al Ketbi and his accompanying delegation visited the University of Melbourne and met with Ken V Loughnan AO President of the Graduate Union, Mr. Rhys Watson, Chairman of the Council of the Graduate Union, and a group of graduates from the university representatives, the meeting addressed the range of excellent academic programs offered at the university including the academic model provided by the university (Melbourne Model) since 2008, which provides the students a virtual learning experience and is characterized by a depth of academic disciplines, both in graduate professional or research programs, with the model aiming to improve the academic path for university students by looking to combine bachelor’s, master's studies and research work in an integrated approach. The importance of education was also stressed and the state's interest in it as it regards it to be a top priority, with the delegation inspecting some facilities on the campus in addition to the university Graduate House.
The delegation also visited Monash University, where they met with Professor Abid Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Professor Ross Koppel, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Research and Professor Sarah Newton, Associate Dean, External Relations, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Dr Nizar Farjou, Assoicate President – Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia (MENACA), Director of MENACA Engagement, Global Engagement. They discussed aspects of cooperation and coordination mechanisms between the university and institutions of the UAE in the areas of common concern, and the delegation visited the CAVE2 (Monash 3D Visualisation Platform) where they were shown the latest technology which takes one inside for example the nerve web of a brain, or onto the land of Mars and beyond and how this fits into the educational structure of the university. They then met with some UAE sponsored students.