By:
Jordyn Stinnett
Seven years ago, four University of Arizona (UA) alumni from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined together to reminisce about their college years in Tucson, not realizing this connection would eventually grow into something much larger. The alumni, His Excellency Mohammed Sharaf, Mr. Ahmed Anoohi, Mr. Sami Al Hashemi, and Mr. Abdulaziz Malik, merely intended to rekindle social connections, but word of their inaugural reunion multiplied throughout the Gulf Region, marking the inception of the UA Gulf Cooperation Council (UA GCC).
“The affinity this group has for the UA is truly unique. They have a deep connection to their college experience and have become wonderful advocates for the UA in the Gulf Region,” said Hassan Hijazi, UA Director of Middle East Relations, Programs, and Outreach.
Sixty-five alumni attended the first UA GCC reunion in Dubai in 2010, but with steady growth over the years, the latest reunion in Riyadh attracted more than 200 people, all with one common link: a positive experience at the UA. From January 26th through the 28th, UA GCC members joined for three days of social and cultural activities in the Saudi capital and surrounding areas.
As part of the reunion, His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, President & Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, hosted a gala for UA alumni at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Andrew C. Comrie pointed out that His Royal Highness, also the first Arab to fly in outer space, attended the UA for a year through the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL).
“Our intention, aside from enjoying these reunions and honoring achievements, is to begin to lay the groundwork for a multi-year strategy to become the GCC’s most valued and most trusted educational partner for generations to come,” said Comrie, who traveled to Riyadh for the reunion alongside Hijazi; Mike Proctor, Vice President for Global Initiatives; Joanne Lagasse-Long, Director of International Student Services; among other UA faculty and staff.
The reunion contained three days of carefully planned cultural activities, including a visit to Tuwaiq Palace sponsored by the Arriyadh Development Authority and tours of historic sites in nearby Diriyah and Al-Ghat. Attendees were also treated to a Saudi tradition, as they were seated in a Bedouin tent where they sipped traditional coffee and tea while watching the folklore, Ardah, hosted by UA alumnus and an organizer of the reunion, Dr. Salman Al Sudairy.
“We hope this reunion continued its projected role as a platform that unites and a mechanism that extends the University’s value to us and to those we care about,” said Al Sudairy, an entrepreneur and majority owner of EYAT, an operator of retail boutiques. He added that the organizing committee, also comprised of Dr. Nasser Aljaeidi, Dr. Abdulaziz Aljawini, Dr. Ali Musallam, Mr. Sadek Al Juhaiman, and Dr. Turki Al Rasheed, tried to provide something new and exciting for all attendees, even those who live and work in Riyadh.
Provost Comrie recognized that UA GCC members actively engage their governments and universities about UA initiatives, helping to establish a footprint of substantial partnerships in the Gulf Region. “These past years, GCC alumni have welcomed our UA teams, linking the UA to GCC countries and officials in such a unique and passionate way, allowing us to accomplish many great things in this region,” said Comrie.
With the assistance of UA GCC members, Hijazi has started negotiations with several universities in the Gulf Region to establish UA micro-campuses, where students take courses co-taught by UA professors and their partners to earn a UA degree alongside one from their home institution. Speaking at the reunion, Comrie thanked alums, Dr. Abdulmajeed Alkhajeeh, Associate Dean & Associate Professor at United Arab Emirates University and Chairman at Al Khajah Group and His Excellency Mohammed Sharaf, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Economic and Trade Affairs, for coordinating these introductions, helping to lower geographic barriers to higher education.
Further defining this model, UA alumnus Dr. Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, another organizer of the reunion, formed a collaborative effort between the UA and three Saudi universities focused on improving the training and welfare of rural farmers as a means to protect Saudi food security. “The annual reunion boosts camaraderie with GCC graduates in the region and keeps the relationship ongoing with the UA,” said Al Rasheed, also an adjunct professor of Biosystems Engineering at the UA and Chairman of Golden Grass Inc. “One of the aims of the event was to foster connections with graduates who are successful in their own fields of expertise to help bridge between the GCC and the UA and American Society as a whole.”
Comrie also acknowledged Dr. Abdullah Al Hashimi, Executive Director of Security for Emirates Airlines and CEO of Transguard Group LLC, for helping to facilitate an agreement with Emirates Group Security to promote the UA International Security Studies program.
“These partnerships are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Hijazi. “Historically, the UA has had one of the most substantial partnerships in the Gulf Region due to the similar climate and the excellence of our programs, but because of the affinity and advocacy of our alums, the UA will have an even greater association with the region in the future.”
All GCC students who attended the UA are welcome to join the UA GCC. The age profile ranges from recent graduates to retirees, all of whom share a positive learning experience and appreciation of the UA.
The 2018 UA GCC reunion will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Photos, Top: Provost Andrew C. Comrie presenting a symbolic portion of the Mirror Lab to His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman; Second to Top Left: Comrie with Dr. Salman Al Sudairy; Second to Top Right: Comrie with Dr. Turki Faisal Al Rasheed; Bottom Left and Right: Hassan Hijazi and Joanne Lagasse-Long with camels belonging to His Royal Highness