BUiD Delegates Hosted at University of East London, Cass School of Education, and London Olympic Site
A delegation of students from The British University in Dubai (BUiD), the Middle East’s leading research-based postgraduate university, recently returned from an official visit to London’s eastern district as part of an educational and cultural tour hosted by the University of East London (UEL).
The students – composed of women professionals currently completing masters degrees in education from BUiD – were in East London for the first time to learn more about the role of UEL as a major East London university along with the culture and history of the East End and the forthcoming London 2012 Games.
Dr. Naz Awan, delegation head and Lecturer from The British University in Dubai, said: “Through BUiD’s partnership with leading UK Universities such as UEL, there is great value in having students travel abroad to complement their degrees. They can gain further knowledge through cultural and educational exchange, while meeting with other students and professors,” said Naz Awan, Lecturer in Education, The British University in Dubai.
As part of the tour, the students visited UEL’s prestigious Cass School of Education in Stratford which will be officially launching in October. The school is one of London's leading centres for teacher training offering highly successful programmes for primary, secondary and post-compulsory levels.
At the Cass School of Education, the group discussed the differing and similar role of women in both societies, with Dr. Rania Hafez, Director of Post Compulsory Education and Training at UEL.
There was also an official tour of the developing Olympic site in Stratford to see how plans for the Games were unfolding and learn more about the legacy of the Olympics.
Dr. Graham Barnfield, Programme Leader in Journalism at UEL’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “This is a great event that helps students abroad understand UEL and the East London environment better. We are encouraging open dialogue and discussions about cultural and other important issues that help us celebrate our differences.
“I’ve worked in Dubai’s media industries and Dr. Awan grew up in Walthamstow. We are now building bridges and helping the students appreciate what a global university UEL is and the important links we are creating in the local community and beyond.”
Student Aamna Al Mansoori is studying for a Masters in Education, Information and Communication at BUiD and is an IT teacher. She said: “We are on a cultural visit to see how higher education works in London. I think the Stratford site is modern and UEL is trying to connect the past with the future and that’s important.”
Photo caption: BUiD delegation in London joined by Dr. Naz Awan of BUiD and Dr. Graham Barnfield of UEL.
