AL-MAKTOUM INSTITUTE SIGNS FIRST ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP IN AFRICA

The Al-Maktoum Institute in Dundee will extend its worldwide academic links this week with the signing of its first partnership agreement with a university in Africa.
Institute Principal, Professor Malory Nye is visiting the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College in the city of Zomba for the ceremony and today (Monday, August 31) he announced that the Institute will be funding two students from Malawi to come to Dundee to start post-graduate courses next month.
“We are very excited by this opportunity to sign a Memorandum of Understanding as it means we can create and strengthen ties between the Al-Maktoum Institute and Malawi, as part of the wider Scotland-Malawi Partnership,” said Professor Nye.
“We have existing partnerships with universities in the Gulf, Malaysia, Europe and Egypt but this is the first in a sub-Sahara country.
“This new partnership agreement will allow joint research, staff exchanges and we can bring students to Scotland for courses, funded by the Institute.
“It also enables us to highlight the work of the Institute as a centre of excellence in the Study of Islam and Muslims, and in particular to promote intelligent debate and understanding of Islam and the role of Muslims in the contemporary world.
“We are also delighted that two students from Malawi, one of them is a Presbyterian minister, are coming to Dundee. They will be the first of many, we hope, from that country to study with us.”
The link-up between the Al-Maktoum Institute and Chancellor College is developing within the context of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, which was formed five years ago to inspire the people and organisations of Scotland to be involved with Malawi in an informed, co-ordinated and effective way to the benefit of both nations.
This academic agreement with Malawi is highly appropriate, not least because the Institute’s Patron, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, has set up and funds 34 schools in 21 countries across Africa.
And, Institute council member and Honorary Fellow, David Bone is a former head of the Department of Religious Studies at Chancellor College, also serving on the University of Malawi’s senate for four years.
“This agreement is, obviously, hugely pleasing for me, given the happy connections I have with both institutions,” said Mr Bone.
“I am sure excellent and mutually beneficial links between the two will be established, developed and enjoyed. It’s a positive step for the Institute and Chancellor College.
“The work of the Al-Maktoum Institute is of great relevance to the people of Malawi and I expect the students who study here in Dundee will be able to make an excellent contribution to their country when they return as graduates of the Institute.”..

31st August 2009 | Back To News