New Zealand 22-24 March 2018
In line with the interests of the United Arab Emirates in the fields of education and scientific research, HE Mr Saleh Ahmed Al-Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to New Zealand, accompanied by HE Mrs Rawda Al Mansoori, UAE Cultural Attaché in Australia, and a delegation from the Cultural Attaché office visited a number of New Zealand universities to discuss cooperation options.
The delegation started its tour by holding a meeting at Massey University on Thursday, 22 March 2018, with Ms Deanna Riach, Head of Student Services, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Prof Annette Huntington and a number of university representatives. The discussion covered the specialties offered by the university in the areas of food security, veterinary medicine and nursing. The UAE students’ matters were also discussed to follow-up their academic progress with the emphasis on providing support, in addition to specialized students services and integration with local activities.
A meeting was held with Professor Grant Guilford- the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington, attended by a number of University representatives. Mrs Rawdha Al Mansoori, the UAE Cultural Attaché in Australia, briefed the university about the scholarship criteria of the UAE Ministry of Education in determining the subjects of scholarship which should be one of the top 200 subjects in the QS ranking, and expressed interest in developing scientific research cooperation and students exchange programs between the university and UAE educational institutions. The activities of the University were also discussed to encourage students in New Zealand to participate in the cultural activities.

The tour was concluded with a visit to the University of Otago in Dunedin on Friday, 23 March 2018. A meeting was held with the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Prof Alison Rich and a number of University representatives, along with a group of UAE students at the university. The dentistry program was discussed, where the UAE scholarship students are currently studying. The student exchange program was proposed to develop student exchange between the university and educational institutions in the UAE, as well as a review of the services provided by the university to support the students and help them in their academic journey. The students had the opportunity to raise their comments during the meeting to identify any obstacles facing them in their study. Then the Assistant Dean of the Faculty provided the response.
Along with the visit to New Zealand, a meeting was held with UAE students at the New Zealand universities. The details of the academic and financial issues were discussed, as well as the encouragement of participation in student activities, reminding them of the importance of the Year of Zayed as a celebration of values that have shaped the UAE. The excelling students were honored for their academic performance and a group photo was taken with students in New Zealand.

Otago University visit 23^rd  March 2018