His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received Dr. George Holmes, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton on the 15th of October 2009.
Also present at the meeting were H.H. Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman – RAK Free Trade Zone; Oussama El Omari, CEO – RAK FTZ; Sudhir Kartha, CEO – Western International College; Zubair Hanslot, Academic Director – University of Bolton; and Raj Nambiar, Administrative Director – University of Bolton, Ras Al Khaimah Campus.
The attendees reviewed the university’s achievements, since Dr Holmes’ visit for the opening of the University of Bolton branch in Ras Al Khaimah last year; and Dr. Holmes and H.H. Sheikh Saud, whose support he is seeking in forming an advisory board that will keep the education facility competitive, discussed further cooperation between the university and the Government of Ras al Khaimah.
Presenting the University’s new strategic plan, Dr Holmes, who became the youngest head of any UK University when he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, emphasised the importance of strengthening the ties between the emirate and the university, in order to be able to continue to offer international quality educational programmes and activities to students in the area.
El Omari welcomed the idea. Since the university’s relocation to a 90,000 sq ft area at the RAF FTZ Academy Zone, its popularity has continued to grow. “I firmly believe that first rate facilities, classrooms and laboratories, together with the services of the RAK FTZ Academy Zone and the educational programmes of the University of Bolton, are a powerful combination, that will equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge that the current job market demands,†he said.
Dr Holmes also proposed developing more learning centres, while working on other avenues of partnership between the University of Bolton and Ras al Khaimah Free Trade Zone. The idea was warmly received by El Omari, who pledged RAK FTZ’s support to the University. He also lauded the Vice Chancellor’s efforts to re-establish the British Business Council’s presence in Ras al Khaimah, within the University of Bolton premises.
Located centrally, next to RAK FTZ’s Business Park, the University of Bolton is one of the largest foreign university campuses in the UAE, offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Built Environment, Engineering, Business and Computing/Information Technology.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is a world-class business hub and a vehicle for industrial growth and development. The free trade zone, with its cutting-edge technology and keen customer focus, offers on-demand and custom-built support services to investors in a cost-effective and flexible environment. The free trade zone also offers a range of unique services, which include the legal, human resources and marketing assistance.
RAK FTZ has created a system of four Parks – Business Park, Industrial Park, Technology Park and Al Ghayl Industrial Park – which offer identical advantages and benefits to investors. Backed by legislations allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership, a tax-free environment, transparent laws and 100 per capital and profit repatriation, the free trade zone is well positioned for global commerce.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone is one of the fastest growing free trade zones, with companies from 106 countries around the globe. For more information visit www.rakftz.com.
