Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi celebrates the 10th year anniversary for its establishment in the UAE

 Under the patronage of HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development in the UAE and in line with its 10th year anniversary celebration for its establishment in the UAE, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi organized yesterday an exceptional musical concert by “Choeur et Orchestre Sorbonne Universités" on its campus in Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council and a member of the Executive Council, the French Ambassador HE Michel Miraillet, H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of Health Authority – Abu Dhabi and the Vice President of the Management Council of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as well as a number of prestigious Emirati figures and Ambassadors along with the university’s management and the Academic and Administrative faculties.

Sorbonne’s Abu Dhabi celebration is an important milestone for the university which illustrates the success of its establishment and marks a new chapter in its history. This celebration also aims to highlight the huge success of the French-Emirati collaboration which primarily aimed at strengthen communication between cultures, which allowed more than 900 students from 77 different nationalities to choose Sorbonne Abu Dhabi to continue their studies.

Prof. Eric Fouache, Vice-Chancellor at Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi said: “The renewed trust of the UAE in the last 10 years is a strong sign of openness towards French culture and testimony to the exceptional bond that brings our two countries together. If Sorbonne university has successfully accompanied Abu Dhabi in the development of an international centre for the higher education system where it represents the French and European segment, it undoubtedly plays a positive role in the UAE and the region by encouraging French-Emirati exchanges thanks to the multiple cultural events it organizes.”

Prof. Fouache added: “In 2006, the establishment of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Abu Dhabi government was a first for a French university. Ten years on and the university has flourished to become a global and multidisciplinary institution, with over 900 students and 600 Emirati students have graduated since its formation. This showcases the university’s strong partnership with Abu Dhabi government and its success. We also take this occasion to renew our vow to always support our students in their educational journey in Sorbonne Abu Dhabi”.

More than 750 guests joined the celebrations of the first decade of the university’s collaboration in which arts, knowledge and cultural diversity are the key themes. The musicians and choristers played the most beautiful tunes in their repertoire under the direction of Ariel Alonso, distinguished music professor, médaille d’or-awarded pianist and graduate from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and from the National University of Arts of Buenos Aires.

Today, the university proposes 10 bachelor’s degree programmes, 13 master’s degree programmes and embraces all fields of knowledge, including humanities, economy, law, and physics. Its unique place in the university landscape in the Middle East enables the university to be an ambassador for academic excellence. Its students also benefit from outstanding conditions and follow a near-identical syllabus to that of the university’s main campus in Paris, taught in French at a state-of-the-art 93,000 m2 campus.