H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, witnessed here on Friday the signing of the partnership renewal agreement between the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Paris-Sorbonne University- Abu Dhabi (PSUAD).

The deal was signed by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, and Professor Barthelemy Jobert, President of Paris-Sorbonne University.

The signing of the agreement is a testimony to the great success of the UAE- French cooperation and enhancement of communication between the two cultures over the last decade, culminating in the establishment distinctive academic institution such as PSUAD. This encouraged more than 900 students from 77 different nationalities to choose the university to complete their education.

The agreement aims to promote fruitful cooperation in the field of education between France and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which benefits from nearly 760 years of experience being offered by prestigious Paris-Sorbonne University.

 It also aims to reaffirm the commitment of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to provide continuous support to the university and to confirm the university's commitment to providing continuous advanced scientific programmes, and developing new ones to keep pace with the requirements of the next stage.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of ADEC said, "Today we celebrate the10 anniversary of our partnership with the prestigious PSUAD. The renewal of this strategic partnership for other 10 years is to enhance cooperation as a part of commitment of the ADEC to establish strategic partnerships with the best educational institutions in the world."

He reiterated the keenness of the Abu Dhabi Education Council to develop and implement such partnerships in line with its strategic plan and priorities of the strategic programmes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to develop the educational process in the emirate, raise the level of education in the region and achieve the goal of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to prepare an educated promising generation that would contribute to serving the nation and capable to compete globally.

President of Paris-Sorbonne University commended renewed confidence of the UAE in Paris-Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi over the past 10 years, which is a strong indicator of the UAE's openness to the French culture.

He added that the university was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2006 to become the first French university to open its doors in the UAE, noting that after 10 years the university has seen developments, many changes and scored many achievements as well as turned into a multi-disciplinary global institution.

Ten years on the university has flourished to become a global and multi-disciplinary institution with over 900 multinational students, and 600 Emirati students have graduated since its formation, he added.

Prof. Eric Fouache, Vice-Chancellor at Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said, "The renewed trust of the UAE over the last 10 years is a strong sign of openness towards French culture, and testimony to the exceptional bond that brings our two countries together."

"If Sorbonne University has successfully accompanied Abu Dhabi in the development of an international centre for the higher education system where it represents the French and European segment, it undoubtedly plays a positive role in the UAE and the region by encouraging French-Emirati exchanges, thanks to the multiple cultural events it organises," he added.