Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi hosts lecture on the latest French Education reforms
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi hosted a lecture in honour of the French Minister of National Education, HE Luc Chatel, at the university's campus in Al Reem Island on Tuesday, 1 November 2011. The lecture covered the major changes in the French education system until today's approach which focuses on students and their individual development.
The Minister was received by the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Management Council as well as representatives of 'Les Amis de la Sorbonne', a French-Emirati association that supports the local development of this prestigious university. This welcome committee accompanied Minister Chatel to visit the university's state-of-the-art campus facilities for 2,000 students and the remarkable resourced university library featuring more than 85,000 books.
During the ministerial visit, the Executive Director of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Pr. Dr. Jean-Yves de Cara presented the highlights and significant accomplishments the university has achieved over the last five years in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the positive aspects of the French education system and its distinctive framework based on developing individual skills. He further remarked: "Aligned to Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030, French education at Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi is an integral part in order to create and sustain a knowledge-based society and the acceptance of the French Education and Sorbonne diploma is immensely successful among UAE Nationals, who represent 35% of our students."
Present at the lecture were the French Ambassador, Mr Alain Azouaou, members of the education and business sector in the UAE, faculty members, and students who assembled to learn more about reforms in French education. The Minister addressed the audience about the three major revolutions the French education system underwent in the last 150 years. The first revolution, at the end of the 19th century, led to the creation of a model that embraced free and mandatory schooling. The second revolution, in the second half of the 20th century, focused on democratization and improving access of all students to secondary institutions. The third, and current, revolution is the challenge of individualization which involves dedicated attention to each pupil, thus offering them a unique education process, specifically adapted to their needs, talents and ambitions. The current priority of the Ministry of National Education is to diversify the tracks of excellence for every pupil to achieve success and accomplish the maximum potential based on their abilities.
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About Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi www.sorbonne.ae
Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a prestigious higher education institution that offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Social Science and Art, Law and Economics, and Business Management disciplines. Located on Al-Reem Island, Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offers a world-class diploma, Sorbonne education in Abu Dhabi, with degrees granted by Paris that are globally recognized. The courses are exclusively delivered by lecturers from Paris following the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Established in May 2006, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Paris-Sorbonne University, Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi combines the legacy and experience of two significant and legendary French universities - Paris-Sorbonne University, dedicated to arts and humanities, and Paris-Descartes University, specialized in Law, Political Science and Economics.
At present, more than 700 students from over 60 countries are enrolled at Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi for the new academic year 2011-2012.
© Press Release 2011
