The Western Region Development Council (WRDC) – the central coordinating body leading development and promoting opportunity in Al Gharbia, the Western Region of Abu Dhabi – has announced that it is sponsoring nine students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) campuses in Madinat Zayed and Ruwais to act as envoys to learn and build cultural ties with Spain.
The nine students from Madinat Zayed, Mirfa and Sila are going to Spain for one week to strengthen and broaden their cultural understanding of the Islamic and Arabic differences between the two countries. The students are scheduled to leave for Spain today.
On their week tour of the country, the students will visit several Islamic landmarks, including the famous Cordoba Mezquita (Mosque), the sprawling Alhambra Palace, the Spanish Museums, Madrid University and the International Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies. At the end of their tour, the students will visit the UAE embassy in Madrid.
In his comments, H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General of WRDC, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the HCT student visit to Spain. The youth of Al Gharbia are our region’s future so it is vital that WRDC invests in such activities to broaden their minds and raise their awareness and knowledge about different cultures.”
He added “This is the second overseas student trip that we have funded; the first was in November last year, where we sponsored six students from HCT to go on a nine day visit to Japan. The students acted as ambassadors of goodwill and built academic, economic and cultural bridges between the UAE and Japan. We at WRDC believe that such experiences are invaluable.”
On the announcement of the student visit to his country, H.E. Manuel Pineiro, the Ambassador of Spain visited the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) campuses in Al Gharbia where he was received by Dr Philip Quirke, Director of HCT – Madinat Zayed and Ruwais Colleges and Leonard Favre, WRDC Investments Promotion and Public Relations Director.
H.E. Manuel Pineiro said “I am extremely excited to be here in Al Gharbia and to have the chance to meet with the HCT students that will visit Spain. During their week long visit as envoys, they will learn about the educational, cultural and historical similarity between our country and Al Gharbia. It is an excellent opportunity for them and our country’s students to build cultural bridges and friendships that can last a lifetime.”
WRDC is continuing its work towards helping the local community of Al Gharbia evolve and build the region. WRDC’s development plan includes involving and informing the local community in the development of the region and developing the capability of the public to play an effective role in the development process.
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Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, the Western Regional Development Council (WRDC) has been established to shape Al Gharbia’s future by placing the region and its people’s interests at heart. One of WRDC’s main goals is improving the lives of the people in Al Gharbia (Western Region of Abu Dhabi) and its strategy focuses on the development of better education, healthcare and infrastructure in order to encourage economic growth.
WRDC’s toll free hotline number is 800-WRDC (800 9732)
WRDC’s website is www.wrdc.ae
