College President Travels To United Arab Emirates
posted 2/22/08
Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking participates in educational tour.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking will be traveling to the United Arab Emirates in mid-March as part of an educational tour in partnership with the Middle East Institute in Washington DC. The tour is made up of university presidents, provosts and deans whose schools are attempting to expand their international reach.

“This important trip will give Adrian College access to the highest educational leaders in the U.A.E. as well as the United States Embassy,” says Docking. “We were selected for the trip because of our incredible progress during the past few years and the belief that Adrian is a quality institution.”

Through a series of meetings with Education Ministry officials, representatives of Emirati and American educational institutions, US Embassy officials and Emirati economic development specialists, Docking will gain valuable insights into the educational reforms and economic growth of this dynamic Gulf country.

Docking is optimistic about establishing relationships with foreign countries, especially with the U.A.E.

“As Adrian College initiates vast academic enhancements through our Renaissance II program we will be forging relationships with emerging world economies,” says Docking. “The Middle East, and in particular The United Arab Emirates, is one of these economies. The U.A.E. plays an increasingly important role in our lives as Americans and we believe that contemporary students must understand this culture.”

The tour departs from JFK International in New York City on March 15th and begins in Dubai. From there they will progress to the emirates of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, which is the governmental center of the UAE. Stops along the way will include the Islamic Cultural Center in Sharjah, the United States Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the all-Emirati, all women’s Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. After four days of meetings and cultural activities, the group will return to the U.S. on Thursday, March 20.