US Consul General Mr. Justin Siberell Keynote Speaker

Dubai, March 20th, 2011. The American University in Dubai (AUD) hosted 12 students from Harvard University, part of the partnership between the university and the Harvard College in Asia Program (HCAP), for the third year. The objective of the conferences was to create unique, global, and holistic experiences that address common issues in a variety of different approaches, while exposing students to meeting peers from around the world, learning about other cultures and religions and more importantly challenging them to engage in open dialogues of opinions and ideas.

The AUD community welcomed the Harvard delegates along with 13 AUD students in the second part of the HCAP held at AUD from March 12-20, 2011. The program was full of academic and cultural activities based on the theme "Global Healthcare Systems: A Changing Landscape". AUD students recently returned from the first part of this exchange conference in the US and were very appreciative and honored to have taken part in this great learning experience.

AUD was proud to have hosted Mr. Justin Siberell US Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates as Keynote Speaker during the opening ceremony. He comments:

"It is a great pleasure to participate in the Harvard-AUD Conference on "Global Healthcare Systems: a Changing Landscape." I am impressed and heartened that the leaders of tomorrow are already addressing the critical global challenges of today. As we commemorate 40 years of U.S.-UAE diplomatic relations in 2011, this conference serves as an example of the academic exchange and educational ties that continue to strengthen our bilateral relationship."

The AUD External Relations Office, headed by Ms. Peggy Awad, along with the full support of Dr. Meis Moukayed, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences and Coordinator of Science, prepared a well rounded interactive conference program aimed at challenging the delegates further academically, socially and culturally. The program included lectures from AUD professors and industry leaders/ practitioners, panel discussions, as well as visits to medical schools in the UAE, all important elements of the HCAP academic experience.

The academic program included lectures from: Dr. Meis Moukayed, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences and Coordinator of Science at the American University in Dubai who addressed the delegates with a session on "UAE Healthcare System: An Evolving Landscape"; Dr. Ajay K Singh, Chief Academic Officer, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center who discussed Harvard Medical School's global programs; Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Vice President, Center for Healthcare Planning and Quality who held a session on Dubai Healthcare City and why it is different;  Dr. Robin J. Wheatley, Director of Administration, Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research  who spoke about the Dubai Harvard Foundation and its impact on Middle East-based research and research scientists; Dr. Ian Blair, Assistant Professor, Dept, of Community Medecine, UAE University - Faculty of Medecine and Health Sciences, along with Professor Tar-Ching Aw, Dr. Amer Sharif, Dr. Syed Shah, Professor Michelle McLean, Professor Nico Nagelkerke and their medical students who addressed a session on Global Health and Medical Education in the UAE; Dr. Aaron Han, MD, PhD, Chief Dept of Pathology and Lab Medicine who gave a speech followed by a Q&A session on, "Hospital and laboratory compliance and accreditation to ensure quality of health care"; H.E. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri. M.Sc, Ph.D. CEO Medical Practice and License - Ministry of Health, Chairman of Supreme National Blood Transfusion Committee, UAE, who discussed, "Governance enhancement towards healthcare improvement through smart certificate and electronic exam and evaluation"; Dr. Erol Baysal, PhD (Lond), FRCP (Lond) Consultant and Head of Molecular Genetics Senior Lecturer Dept. of Pathology and Genetics Dubai Genetic and Thalassemia Center, Dubai Health Authority who discussed the "Changing trends in Healthcare in Dubai: A move towards Genetics and Molecular Medicine".

Additionally, the program included a variety of site-seeing excursions, city and campus tours. The social portion was no less vital and included nightlife exploration, museum visits, and other unique recreational activities.

-Ends- 

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education. 

AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   

AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in Architecture, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Information Technology, Visual Communication and Interior Design, in addition to a Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies program.

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The university's undergraduate concentrations in Marketing Communications and Advertising (Creative) have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.

For more information, please contact
Rim O. Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
The American University in Dubai
T. + 971 4 318 3139
F. + 971 4 399 8899
E. ribrahim@aud.edu
www.aud.edu

© Press Release 2011