Mohammed attends AUD commencement ceremony
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended on Monday a ceremony hosted by the American University in Dubai (AUD), at Sheikh Rashid Hall of the Dubai World Trade Center, to celebrate graduation of 450 students of 2011 class.
Around 450 undergraduate and graduate students received their American-accredited degrees in the fields of Business Administration, Engineering, Visual Communication, Computer and Information Technology, Interior Design, and Communication and Information Studies.
Notably, this year AUD graduates its first class of students from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication.
Also present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sheikhs, ministers, senior officials, dignitaries and diplomats.
AUD's Executive Vice-President Elias N Bou Saab, said they were extremely honoured with the presence of Sheikh Mohammed and his patronage of the University's journey to academic development and embedding harmony and co-existence among different cultures.
The keynote speech was delivered by Robert Gibbs, Longtime Advisor to US President Barack Obama and 28th White House Press Secretary.
Gibbs praised the educational standards in the UAE which is hosting several prominent universities that cater to students educational needs in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Sheikh Mohammed honoured the graduates and wished them success in their professional life.
He lauded AUD for being able to prepare capable and confident youth who are assuming prominent and leading positions in the UAE and abroad.
Guest Speaker Ms Erin Burnett, news anchor/journalist at the CNN thanked the University for giving her the opportunity to address the ceremony and shared her studying experience and the challenged faced then.
AUD's President Dr Lance E de Masi thanked Sheikh Mohammed for lending patronage to the event and called on the graduates to always focus on gratitude for everything in life and to continue their pursuit of knowledge.