Special Edition Newsletter

The American Business Council

EMIRATI ALUMNI OF US UNIVERSITIES — RENEWING THE CONNECTION

Host for the evening, Jeff Johnson, President, Boeing Middle East, with

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi and

the Honorable Michael Corbin.

THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

Held in conjunction with the US Consulate Dubai, the Council

hosted over 150 invited guests, Emirati alumni from universities

across the US and ABC members. Platinum sponsor, Boeing

Middle East’s President, Jeff Johnson, hosted the evening intro-

ducing the new US Ambassador, the Honorable Michael Corbin

and keynote speaker, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi,

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The event was a manifestation

of the strength of connections between Emirati and American

networks through the shared values placed on higher education

by the US and UAE and the many Emirati students who study

at US universities.

The keynote address given by Sheikha Lubna set the tone for

the event with her cogent account of life and studies at her US

alma mater, California State University. She recognized the

widespread influence the American higher education system has

had on the development of understanding between the two na-

tions and its impact on her own way of thinking about work and

leadership.

Alumni from 65 US colleges and universities attended the event,

a testament to the depth and range of the American higher edu-

cation institutions available to US and Emirati students.

On Monday, September 26,

the American Business

Council of Dubai & the

Northern Emirates honored

UAE Nationals who studied

at US universities with a

reception at the Pavilion

Downtown Dubai.


This is a wonderful occasion to celebrate

our country’s kinship with America and I

am very happy to be a part of it.

Before anything else, I would like to ex-

tend a warm welcome to Ambassador

Michael Corbin and wish him a very pro-

ductive and memorable stay here in the

Emirates. I would also like to commend

the American Business Council of Dubai

and the Northern Emirates for hosting

this event. The Council has been very

instrumental in strengthening commer-

cial as well as cultural ties between the

Emirati and American communities and

so I wish it the very best as it carries on

it’s good work. And to all the participat-

ing universities and schools, business

representatives and government officials

present here this evening, thank you for

your show of support for the mutual

growth and enduring friendship of the

US and the United Arab Emirates.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It seems like just yesterday when I went

to California to purse a degree in com-

puter science. I was lucky to receive a

From the keynote address by

Her Excellency

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

government scholarship for a field seldom ex-

plored by an Emirati, much less a woman.

Things were different back then; computer sci-

ence was a very tough field with few women.

There were only around five us us ladies in our

class of 30, and technology was at a level

where virtual reality and the internet would

have been regarded as science fiction. For

someone like me who received her entire high

school education in Arabic, learning the lan-

guage and the culture of America was an extra

challenge.

But I seldom back down from a challenge,

something that was ingrained in me by my lov-

ing family who have always encouraged me to

excel in everything I do. A turning point came

when I was invited to live with an American

family during my first three years of study. I

valued the guidance and hospitality of the

woman who I would come to regard as my

American mother and thoroughly enjoyed han-

dling my own personal affairs such as doing

my own housekeeping and paying my bills.

This was a far cry from the sheltered life I was

accustomed to, but I embraced the opportunity

to discipline myself, manage my time well and

nurture my individuality. I wasn’t just getting

an American education anymore; I became

part of America.

In the classroom, I found myself in friendly

competition with highly motivated American

classmates who shared their knowledge

through out study groups. My professors

treated me with fairness and respect and en-

couraged me to identify and maximize my po-

tential. I viewed America with great admira-

tion, for its industriousness and zeal which

helped form my way of thinking in terms of

work and leadership.

The most important thing I learned from my

American mentors was that there were no lim-

its to what I could achieve, so long as I had

enough knowledge, ambition and self-

confidence. I proved this to my peers, my edu-

cators and more importantly to myself when I

eventually became a member of my univer-

sity’s Computer Science Honor Society. It is a

lesson that I have been applying continuously

since my return to the UAE. It has helped me

achieve many great things, such as inspiring

many other Arab women to take up careers in

technical fields and to become the first-ever

female official of the UAE Government.

I am thus very pleased that many Emiratis

have decided to pursue higher education under

the wings of American universities. I am sure

that, like me, you have all been instilled with

the values of hard work, discipline, fairness

and teamwork. These will help you perform

above the expectations of any organization you

join. And for those of you here who are think-

ing about going to America to get your educa-

tion, I highly recommend that you do so, and

please allow me to give you some advice to

make your experiences more fruitful.

First of all, take advantage of the close ties

between industry and academia that are com-

mon in the US. California State University is

near Silicon Valley so during my college years

we often made site visits to computer compa-

nies and had valuable first-hand exposure to

industry. Second, take advantage of the chance

to develop your individuality, as I did. Lastly,

immerse yourself in the culture. Explore the

American way of life while sharing the best

parts of your own heritage. This provides

you with a global view and hones your

skills.


From the keynote Address by Her Excellency continues

I understand why Emiratis and other foreigners

prefer to discover their host country as a group,

as there is a feeling of comfort and familiarity.

But I have also studied in Japan and the UK

and really benefitted from exploring those won-

derful places as an individual. People appreci-

ate the extra effort a foreigner exerts to take in

the local culture. On one of my official visits to

America someone complimented me for commu-

nicating as if I were one of them. This ability to

genuinely interact with all peoples is important

to fostering strong ties, whether for business,

leisure or socialization.

I would also like to add, that an American edu-

cation helps in the Emiratization process. By

acquiring extensive research, management and

leadership skills, our youth become well-

prepared and properly skilled to take on big re-

sponsibilities as they participate in our nation’s

development.

It is my hope that Americans living and work-

ing in the Emirates and the more than 750

American companies doing business on our

shores feel as much at home as I do whenever I

travel back to the US. I still communicate with

the friends I made when I was studying there

and some of them have even visited me here. I

value the bridges my country and I have built

with the US and look forward to many more

great things we shall do together in the future.

As for the business aspects of our relations, the

UAE is the largest export market for the US in

the Middle East. We make certain that all the

right elements are in place for America to con-

tinue enjoying brisk business with the Emir-

ates. I am pleased to say that our ties extend

beyond traditional sectors such as oil, gas and

defense. We are experiencing rapid growth in

civil aviation, renewable energy and other in-

novative business areas that will sustain the

UAE’s role as America’s top commercial ally in

the Middle East.

Moreover, the constant influx of enthusiastic

business delegates, which ranks among Amer-

ica’s top contributions to our economic growth,

continues to significantly drive and define our

collaboration. I encourage the American busi-

ness community to keep up their spirited ex-

ploration of the trade and investment opportu-

nities that we offer.

For our part, the UAE will continue to assist in

the growth of the US economy by expanding its

market access to our country and the region,

injecting capital and providing jobs for its citi-

zens. We intend to honor our end as one of the

fastest growing economic partnerships for the

US in the world. We would like to reaffirm our

all-out support for the activities of the ABC

and other organizations that keep the flame of

camaraderie and cooperation between our na-

tions burning bright.

Nothing ever grows without a seed. We thank

America’s education system for planting the

ideals of perseverance, hard work, individual-

ity and ambition within all the Emirati stu-

dents it has warmly accommodated. We thank

America, for being our friend and partner since

the earliest days of our sovereignty. And we

wish the best of luck to our Emirati youth who

are pondering an academic life in the US. May

we all continue reaping the rewards of our mu-

tual support, trust and respect.


THE AMERICAN BUSINESS C OUNCIL

DUKE UNIVERSITY

American colleges and universities share a commitment to developing

thinkers — graduates who embrace creativity, ingenuity and an openness

to new ideas, ingredients that hold together the key to success in the

knowledge-based economy of the future.

US Ambassador to the UAE

Michael Corbin

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

THE AMERICAN BUSINESS C OUNCIL

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE QATAR

Attracting international students is

critical for the US. We look to hire

well educated, internationally savvy

individuals to help Beoing Interna-

tiona become a better, more global

organization.

President, Boeing Middle East, Jeff

Johnson

Nothing grows without a seed. We thank America’s

educational system for planting the ideals of

perseverance, hard work, individuality and

ambition within all the Emirati students it has

warmly accommodated.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade,

HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

HULT INTERNATIONAL

BUSINESS SCHOOL NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

ABU DHABI


The most important thing I learned from my

American mentors was that there were no limits

to what I could achieve.



NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI


Attracting international students is

critical for the US as a nation, in order

to learn from others and create a diverse

workforce.

President, Boeing Middle East,

Jeff Johnson


continues to significantly

drive and define our

collaboration.

The constant influx of

enthusiastic business

delegates, which ranks

among America’s top

contributions to our

economic growth,




METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY COLORADO

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

NORTH CAROLINA A & T UNIVERSITY

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY


GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MERCER UNIVERSITY

METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY COLORADO

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

MOUNT ST. MARY COLLEGE

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

NORTH CAROLINA A & T UNIVERSITY

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

PACE UNIVERSITY

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

REED COLLEGE

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

SCRIPPS COLLEGE

SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES’ REPRESENTED BY ALUMNI

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

BEDFORD UNIVERSITY

BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLOMBIA UNIVERSITY

CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

DUKE UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY


GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MERCER UNIVERSITY

Continues on next page


STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

STEPHEN AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

TULANE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

WESLEYAN COLLEGE

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES’

REPRESENTED BY ALUMNI continued


PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

UNIVERSITIES

Duke University

Georgetown University – School of Foreign Service in Qatar

Hult International Business School

New York University –Abu Dhabi

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Dubai National School

Universal American School

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Boeing – Platinum Sponsor

American Hospital of Dubai – Gold Sponsor

WITH APPRECIATION TO

The Pavilion, Ahmed and Rashid bin Shabib

and The Palace Hotel

WITH OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO

Her Excellency

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

UAE MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE

who inspires and

motivates all who know her

to push beyond

obstacles in our paths

to our reach

our highest

potential.


ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

The American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern

Emirates (ABC) operates under the auspices of Dubai Chamber

of Commerce & Industry and functions as the Dubai Chapter of

the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since its found-

ing in 1985, the ABC has supported American business and acts

as a liaison between government and commercial enterprises.

I would also like to commend the American Business Council of Dubai

and the Northern Emirates for hosting this event. The Council has

been very instrumental in strengthening commercial as well as cultural

ties between the Emirati and American communities and so I wish it

the very best as it carries on it’s good work.



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