Agreement aims to foster innovation in training of diplomats

Abu Dhabi, December 15, 2015

Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) has signed a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China to boost diplomatic training between the two countries.

The agreement, signed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Member of the Board of Trustees of EDA, and HE Qin Yaqing, President of China Foreign Affairs University, will foster innovation in the field of diplomatic staff training and enable the exchange of information and documentation on subjects of common interest through the two academies respective libraries and archives.

The protocol of cooperation follows the ongoing UAE state visit to China, during which the two countries established a joint strategic investment fund worth US$10bn and a signed a second agreement to collaborate on oil and gas projects with the China National Petroleum Corp and Mubadala Petroleum.

EDA, the UAE's pioneering integrated foreign policy academic and research centre, offers integrated academic teaching and executive education with research activities in the specific context of the UAE and the region. During the course of the programme, students are exposed to a range of ideas, studies and research in the international diplomacy sector.

As part of its efforts to become an integrated academic centre, the Academy offers a Post-Graduate Diploma Programme and also provides short-term training courses to meet the needs of current employees in the fields of foreign policy and diplomacy in the UAE. The Academy conducts in-depth studies on the region and the UAE to build a knowledge base in the field of international relations and diplomacy, which will support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and decision-makers in the UAE.

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About Emirates Diplomatic Academy:
The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) was established by Cabinet Decree No. 29 of the year 2014, as a pioneering integrated academic and research centre dedicated to strengthening the UAE national's foreign policy knowledge.

EDA's Board of Trustees includes distinguished leaders from government, academia and industry. The Board of Trustees ensures that the Academy adheres to the purposes for which it was created and that the Academy's integrity and financial resources are preserved for its current and future objectives.

EDA aims to build a broad knowledge base in the field of international and diplomatic relations, while providing technical and advisory support to UAE government entities, and while strengthening cooperation with major training centres and universities to exchange experiences and best practices.

EDA's core areas are interlinked, with activities in one area contributing to the others to create balance and synergies.

1. Academics and Research

• Students study a customised course that incorporates UAE and regional context alongside EDA research

• EDA faculty participate in research projects supported by visiting Middle East scholars and institutional partnerships

2. Academics and Executive Education

• Students benefit from executive courses delivered by EDA

• Students of diplomacy collaborate and build professional networks (e.g. capstone)

3. Research and Executive Education

• Researchers design and improve training courses with relevant UAE-related content

• Researchers have access to students for study purposes (focus groups, surveys, etc.)

For more information about Emirates Diplomatic Academy, please visit www.eda.ac.ae

© Press Release 2015