Good Evening honored guests, sponsors, ladies and gentlemen …Welcome to the IHC “Campus in the Sky.” I’m Dr. Michael Dobe, President of the College. IHC is a two-year, independent liberal arts college here in Dubai, accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to deliver the Associate of Arts degree program. The College offers concentrations in the fine arts and humanities, social sciences, business, and math and science. After completing two years of study with us, our students are prepared to transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree program in two years at elite universities in the United States as well as top regional institutions. Representatives from three of our US partner institutions are here tonight. Ms. Christine Treadway joins us from UC Berkeley, Dr. Eugene Murphy from Rutgers and Dr. Gayle Nunley from the University of Vermont. They have all traveled a long way to be with us here tonight and we are deeply grateful for that.
Tonight you will be hearing from a range of exceptional speakers, here to celebrate educators in Dubai. Our Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Hend Al Marri will be introducing them to you as the night progresses. All of our speakers share a deep and abiding commitment to education and have all made major contributions to the education landscape in Dubai. We are proud that they have joined us in our celebration of educators tonight.
As a proud member of the Dubai community, IHC supports Dubai Cares. Dubai Cares strongly believes that education is not only an essential right of every child, but also an irrevocable asset. Education is a critical factor in every child’s physical and intellectual development. Education is one of the most effective tools to break the cycle of poverty.This is a belief held by the founder of Dubai Cares, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Cares was founded on this belief and the desire to give children - regardless of their nationality, creed or religion - the opportunity to become positive contributors to society. Half the children around the world are born poor and will likely remain in poverty, just like their parents, their own children and generations to come. Join us in changing their destiny. End Poverty. Educate Now.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtasJbKjj2I
Our Celebration of Educators tonight is held in association with Dubai Cares. You will be hearing shortly from our generous sponsor du. With the support of du, we have not only equipped and provisioned this wonderful facility but are also contributing to the work of Dubai Cares. Those of you have seen the Global Classroom, have seen the video cameras in action, cameras from another of our sponsors, a US company called Vaddio that has also supported us in contributing to the work of Dubai Cares.We encourage our guests to support Dubai Cares also. As the “End Poverty. Educate Now” clip made powerfully clear, for as little as 30 AED you can help change a child’s destiny. Please visit the Dubai Cares website at http://www.dubaicares.ae to learn more about the ways you can assist this most worthy cause.<Pause>Again, welcome to our campus in the sky. Thank you for joining us this evening. Please enjoy the speakers and the great meal provided by the Marriott Hotel.