Province Signs Memorandum of Understanding With United Arab Emirates

A memorandum of understanding signed today, Oct. 22, by Premier Darrell Dexter and Sheikh Nahayan, the minister responsible for higher education, will strengthen Nova Scotia's relationship with the government of the United Arab Emirates and enhance education links between the two markets.

"Education and training are important foundations for any trade relationship," said Premier Dexter. "Today's memorandum marks a commitment to build on these relationships and pursue new partnerships in these areas, partnerships that will help create good jobs in Nova Scotia and grow the economy."

Last year, Nova Scotia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam, and the first sector pursued was education. EduNova, an industry association of Nova Scotia education and training providers, will send a delegation to Vietnam to identify future partnerships in the education sector.

"I am confident this memorandum, like the one signed last year in Vietnam, will result in good opportunities for the province," said Premier Dexter.

Nova Scotia has a long and proud tradition of educational excellence. The education system is respected worldwide for its dynamic, research-based curriculum, instruction and assessment. The province has 11 universities and 13 community college campuses across the province. Students from more than 110 countries are learning in Nova Scotia university classrooms.

"Nova Scotia's universities are renowned for their commitment to student outcomes, quality assurance and positive impact," said John Harker, chair of the Council Of Nova Scotia University Presidents. "They are ideal partners at home and abroad, and look forward to refreshing existing ties and building new ones in the United Arab Emirates."

Nova Scotia was the first Canadian province to deliver P-12 curriculum in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, in the mid-1990s. EduNova opened an Abu Dhabi office in 2008 to explore opportunities to link with business opportunities in the region.

"We are delighted that our education and training partnership with the United Arab Emirates has been formalized today," said Ava Czapaly, president and CEO of EduNova. "Nova Scotia has many high quality education and training programs and services that can easily be adapted to meet the needs of the government here in Abu Dhabi."

EduNova has hosted four trade missions to Abu Dhabi with more than 25 Nova Scotia companies and educational organizations. It has also hosted more than 400 Abu Dhabi students in Nova Scotia for summer programs.