Opening of the new University of Wollongong Dubai Campus, United Arab Emirates

[E&OE]

  • Her Excellency Ms Heidi Venamore PSM (Australian Ambassador to the UAE)
  • Professor Patricia Davidson (Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong)
  • Professor Mohammed Salem (Vice-Chancellor (Middle East and North Africa) and President, University of Wollongong Dubai)
  • Professor David Currow (Deputy Vice Chancellor (Health and Sustainable Futures), University of Wollongong
  • His Excellency Mr Malek al Malek (Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Group)
  • Ms Marisa Mastroianni (Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, University of Wollongong Enterprises)
  • University staff and students, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning, everyone.

Linda and I are delighted to be with you and to preside over the opening of the new University of Wollongong Dubai campus in the U-A-E.

I particularly want to acknowledge the current students and alumni present today. You are an essential part of the University of Wollongong success story in Dubai which began in 1993, making it the most established and longest-serving international university in the U-A-E.

To current students, I’m sure as you chat with alumni you will be reassured that the education you are receiving will stand you in good stead for the rest of your lives. You have and will continue to play a key role in strengthening educational ties between Australia and the U-A-E.

Today’s event is significant for a number of reasons.

It marks a significant chapter for the University in Dubai and the bilateral education relationship between Australia and the U-A-E.

The campus has been instrumental in making Dubai and the U-A-E one of the large international centres for transnational education.

It is testament to the long-term commitment of the University of Wollongong to the region, to world-class education and to preparing leaders of the future.

Those who have heard me speak before will know that I have strong views on education, particularly its transformative power.

Linda used to be a teacher. Between us we find events such as today’s incredibly uplifting and inspiring.

I was born and bred in Wollongong and the thought that one day the city’s university would have a campus in Dubai would have been unimaginable, let alone that I would be opening it!

Education is a critical foundation connecting our two nations. It sits at the heart of our people-to-people links.

For Australian universities, the U-A-E is an exciting place in which to operate and to educate.

Like Australia, the U-A-E recognises the power of education as a key enabler of economic growth and transformation. The U-A-E’s education sector has grown exponentially over the years, transforming it into a hub for students from not only the Middle East but also other parts of the world.

The U-A-E now ranks among the most developed and competitive education markets in the Gulf. With more than 70 local and international universities, colleges and higher institutions, the U-A-E is home to one of the largest concentrations of university campuses and programs in the world.

It is the place to be! It’s great for the University and it’s great for Australia.

The U-A-E hosts the highest number of offshore students enrolled with Australian education providers for any country outside of Asia.

As Governor-General and someone who is passionate about education I feel an incredible sense of pride at the way the University of Wollongong and other Australian universities have contributed to the U-A-E’s flourishing education sector.

As part of our visit to the U-A-E, Linda and I were privileged to be able to spend a day at Australia’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday, celebrating Australia’s National Day.

In my speech at the Official Ceremony I opined about the theme of the Expo, ‘Connecting minds, creating the future’.

I said that it reminds us that we, the current generation, are responsible for creating the future for generations to come and that our collective successes and failures will be felt by all.

Humanity faces some incredible challenges and not just the pandemic.

None of us need be blind to those challenges but nor should we ignore that we live in a time of enormous potential and opportunity.

This new University of Wollongong campus – a ‘campus of the future’ – will teach future leaders to help solve many of those challenges. Its ultramodern facilities, innovative learning spaces, cutting-edge laboratories and workshops, are remarkable.

For example, the institution’s ability to connect students in Dubai with those in Australia, Malaysia and Hong Kong, person-to-person and in real-time, represents the future of learning in a globalised world. Students will benefit from a flexible, technology-driven curricula that match the skill needs of future employers.

I am confident that this campus will continue the University of Wollongong Dubai’s legacy by continuing to bring world-class education to students, including the next generation of Emirati and global leaders.

The University of Wollongong’s longstanding presence in the U-A-E and its continued expansion is a great example of how our nations are working together to achieve common goals.

To the university staff, students, alumni and local partners – thank you for being part of this Australia/U-A-E success story.

It is now my great pleasure to open the new University of Wollongong Campus, Dubai.

[Ends]