Sultan signs MoU between American University of Sharjah and University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas)

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday between AUS and University of Paris II. Professor Guillaume Leyte, President of the University of Paris II, signed the MoU on behalf of that institution.

The two universities agreed to establish educational and scientific partnerships in areas of common interest, in particular in the fields of law, international relations, economics, management, and information and communication.

At the signing ceremony in Paris, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his satisfaction on signing an MoU with such a distinguished university as University of Paris II. "AUS has always sought to build a network of mutual cooperation and exchange of expertise in education, research, and development with globally renowned institutions of higher education. The University of Paris II is a particularly prestigious such partner especially in the field of law and we look forward to a fruitful mutual collaboration," he said. He wished both institutions fruitful cooperation in all their fields of endeavor.

"We are especially pleased to partner with American University of Sharjah in this collaborative arrangement," said President Guillaume Leyte. "AUS is the leading institution of higher education in the Gulf and has gained recognition as a distinguished academic institution that is particularly keen to elevate and retain its academic standards of excellence while pursuing innovative programs that benefit the UAE and the GCC. It is an honor indeed for us to have His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi personally sign this MoU. This agreement binding the University of Paris II with American University of Sharjah in the pursuit of avenues of mutual collaboration will no doubt benefit from the vision and guidance of His Highness who is an established academic in his own right. We extend our profound gratitude for his presence here in launching a new level of collaboration that will no doubt bring distinction to both our great universities. We look forward to working together and most especially to launching the joint LLM in International Law and International Business," he added.

Dr. Thomas J. Hochstettler, AUS Acting Chancellor, thanked His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his generous and sustained support for AUS and for its development as the main provider of premier American-style higher education in the region. "This MoU is a testimony of our university's continued efforts to become an institution of high consequence, not only across the MENA region, but globally as well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Paris II for their enthusiasm in partnering with AUS in the pursuit of avenues of mutual collaboration in formalizing this agreement between our two institutions," he said.

AUS Vice Chancellor Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, who earned her doctorate in public law from University of Paris II, noted how pleased she was to witness this agreement of collaboration between American University of Sharjah, which she joined at its inception in 1997, and University Paris II, her alma mater, under the aegis of His Highness. Vice Chancellor Mourtada further commented that "this significant collaborative agreement will mutually benefit both institutions and will give AUS an additional focus on excellence in international law and international business, with a focus on training professionals who will one day achieve leadership positions in these vital fields."

The MoU anticipates that the partnership between the two universities will include several key dimensions: collaboration on research projects; student exchange; the exchange of specialists and experts in fields of mutual interest; information and document sharing; the creation of joint academic programs, including possibly an LLM program in international law and business law; and workshops, seminars, and conferences on themes of mutual interest.

According to the MoU, "Additional agreements of collaboration will be undertaken for the implementation of teaching and research partnerships. The agreements will specify the subjects of mutual interest, the research activities and the teaching program, the terms and conditions of exchange of faculty, researchers and students." Each university will assist and facilitate the missions of the visiting faculty or researchers throughout their stays, according to its own rules and statutes.

As a token of appreciation and gratitude, the University of Paris II offered His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi a historic book entitled A Travelogue in Paris, in 1784.

Along with His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi and Professor Leyte, the signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Mohammed Meer El Raessi, UAE Ambassador to France; AUS Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, Salem Al Qaseer; the President of Scientific Council of University of Paris II, Dr. Bertrand Crettez; and the President of Administrative Council of University of Paris II, Dr. Yves Gaudemet.

His Highness was accompanied by a prominent UAE delegation comprising Dr. Amr Abdel-Hamid, Special Advisor to the Ruler of Sharjah for Higher Education; H.E Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Head of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information; H.E. Ahmed Al Amri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair; H.E. Mohammad Al Zaabi, Director General Of Sharjah Protocol; and Mohammad Khalaf from Sharjah TV.