AUD wins bid to host Harvard student conference for the first time in the Middle East

Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations: One of the Biggest Student Conferences Worldwide

Dubai, March 11^th, 2013. For the first time in the Middle East, The American University in Dubai (AUD) will be hosting the prestigious Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) conference in August 2013, one of the biggest student conferences worldwide attracting more than 600 university students from all across the globe. Mr. Elias Bou Saab, Executive Vice President of AUD, welcomed this announcement as he expressed: "Dubai naturally has been and will remain to be a destination for many worldwide events and conferences due to its ideal placement on the world map, thanks to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. AUD today is proud to constantly play a role in support of the vision of Dubai and the UAE in continuously attracting prestigious academic, social, and cultural opportunities to this region."

HPAIR, which was held in Taipei last year, invites students from all over the world, especially from Asia, to attend the 5-day enriching conference at AUD. A group of 31 students at AUD are working hand in hand with their advisors and professors to put together the full-fledged conference which will emphasize on the environment, education, entrepreneurship and many other hot topics that will be conferred with international speakers and panelists of the highest caliber. The Harvard Project for Asian International Relations Team shared their excitement following the announcement saying: "HPAIR is excited to announce that for the first time in its history, the organization will be visiting the Middle East to host its 22nd annual Asia Conference in Dubai. After receiving six incredibly competitive bids, HPAIR selected The American University in Dubai as its partner for the conference in 2013. The organization is enthusiastic to begin collaborating with the students of AUD and looks forward to a successful year and an unforgettable conference."

Commenting on the importance of holding HPAIR in Dubai in general, and at AUD in particular, Mr. Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, Executive Director of Business Tourism at Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), commented: "Dubai is increasingly becoming the destination of choice for all international events. DTCM is continually working to promote Dubai as a premier tourism, business, and convention destination, more and more international conferences are making their way to our shores." He added: "Dubai is internationally known as a country of firsts, biggest, best and its excellent infrastructure, high service levels, and exceptional inter-departmental cooperation all played a crucial role in ensuring the success of this bid. We look forward to hosting the Harvard delegates and students from around the world to Dubai in August 2013 and the many others that are sure to follow."

HPAIR is an interpretation of one of AUD's visions in making a difference while bringing people from across nations to work together, exchange ideas and contribute towards a significant progress in global issues. "On behalf of the AUD community and specifically our diverse student body, we look forward to welcoming the Harvard delegates and students from around the world to Dubai in August 2013 as we all work towards producing a memorable, first of its kind conference" adds Mr. Bou Saab.

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

The university's undergraduate majors in Marketing Communications and Advertising have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.

For more information, please contact
Marketing Communications Department
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 108
E. sghoul@aud.edu