CUD marks Canada Day with inauguration of Innovation & Sustainability Centre

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Jul 2

CUD marks Canada Day with inauguration of Innovation & Sustainability Centre

Event celebrates top-ranking performance in UN Sustainable Development Goals

July 1st 2022, Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has marked the 155th Canada Daywith the official inauguration of the institution's Innovation & Sustainability Centre. The celebration recognized the University's recent ranking as Dubai's top-performing University against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).

Bringing together members of the Canadian community in the UAE to commemorate the founding of the nation, guests heard from management and faculty about the University's ongoing programsand initiatives to support a sustainable future. In attendance at the event was H.E. Jean-Philippe Linteau, Consul General of Canada in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, who officially opened the new Centre.

The event follows the recent release of the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, which assesses universities' performance against metrics associated with theSustainable Development Goals relevant to higher education institutions. CUD ranked first in Dubai across all Goals considered, including SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; and SDG: 17 Partnership for the Goals. The University was also placed 85th in the world against the Quality Education indicator.

Speaking at the event, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUD, Prof. Karim Chelli, said, "CUD was established as a visionary initiative to bring the renowned Canadian education system to Dubai, to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to UAE society. Today, we are proud to celebrate how far we have come. CUD is now recognized among the top 301-400 universities according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2022.

"We now focus on the next phase of visionary initiatives, that will contribute to building a sustainable future. This University is dedicated to responding to the calls to action set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as demonstrated by our top ranking in Dubai. Through our academic programs, applied research, community partnerships, and campus operations, we are drawing on our Canadian principles and values to build a future of peace and prosperity for all."

Revealing more about the new Innovation & Sustainability Centre and the initiatives it will lead, Centre Director, Prof. Albert Fakhoury, explained, "The Innovation & Sustainability Centre will become the base for the effective implementation and advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through higher education, both locally and regionally. In the spirit of the SDGs, we are initiating collaborations with distinguished partners around the world to secure quality education, and increase the employability of our graduates, while promotingsustainability, cultural diversity, creativity, and professional ethics in entrepreneurship."

He continued, "This Canada Dayis particularly special as it will be remembered forever asthe day Dubai ceased single-use plastic bags, to help enhance environmental sustainability. The complete ban will be implemented in two years, also on Canada Day."

Addressing the audience at the event, H.E. Jean-Philippe Linteau said, "On Canada Day, we celebrate Canada's diversity, culture and history. As Canada and the UAE work to advance our shared goal to achieve net-zero, I am pleased to see CUD's expanding focus on the Sustainable Development Goals."

The Canada Day celebrations concluded with a tour of the University's state-of-the-art campus facilities at Dubai City Walk.

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About Canadian University Dubai

Established in 2006, Canadian University Dubai (CUD), is a higher academic institution located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). CUD offers over 40 UAE Ministry accredited degree concentrations across four academic faculties, based on the Canadian curriculum, and serves as a gateway for students to pursue higher education, research, and employment opportunities in Canada. The institution is ranked among the leading 541-550 universities globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. CUD students can transfer their studies to one of more than 50 academic partner institutions around the world.

www.cud.ac.ae

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