UAE and Canada to develop sustainable development initiatives in line with UAE’s green vision: Al Mansoori

MoU signed on the sidelines of UAE delegation visit to Canada, between S.S Lootah Group and Rotman School of Business Administration to set up ‘Emirates Green Economy College’

Dubai, March 11, 2012: His Excellency Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, stressed the role of education programmes aimed at building a competitive knowledge economy in line with the UAE Vision 2021, and the ‘UAE Strategy for Green Development’ unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, under the slogan "Green economy for sustainable development.” 

The UAE’s green strategy promises a new phase in sustainable growth and which also focuses on preparing UAE nationals to be part of the various green developmental initiatives through innovative and modern educational programmes. 

HE Al Mansoori was addressing a meeting with Dr. Roger Martin, Chairman of the Committee of Competiveness and Economic Development, at the Province of Ontario and Dean of the Rotman School of Business Administration at the University of Toronto, attended by a number of senior university professors and representatives of graduate students. The meeting was on the sidelines of the visit by the UAE delegation headed by His Excellency to Canada to promote bilateral cooperation in a number of economic sectors. 

HE Al Mansoori witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between S.S Lootah Group from the UAE and the Rotman School of Business Administration, to establish a “Emirates Green Economy College” by SS Lootah Group, billed to be the first scientific institution in the Middle East working on preparing young nationals for specialized roles in the management of green businesses. 

HE Al Mansoori said the step comes within the framework of the operational strategy of the Ministry of Economy to encourage and support partnerships with the private sector to further enhance the competitiveness of the UAE.  He commended the role played by national companies in building effective partnerships with Canada in various sectors of the economy. His Excellency praised the educational experience of Rotman School of Business Administration and the ambitious initiative by S.S Lootah Group, which will be a major contributor to the UAE economy. 

The MoU was signed by Abdullah Saeed Lootah, CEO of the Group, and Dr. Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Business Administration at the University of Toronto. 

It aims to drive sustainable economic development and achieve a balance between economic and social benefits and environmental needs by empowering UAE nationals and entrepreneurs to identify new concepts in the management of a business model based on innovation and an integrated approach to development. 

On his part, Dr. Roger Martin praised the green strategy adopted by the UAE, which reflects the vision of the leadership to encourage innovation and competitiveness in the context of sustainable development and achieve economic prosperity. 

The graduate programme at the Rotman School of Business Administration adopted by S.S Lootah follows a tour to the Middle East organized by the college every year to familiarize students with business models that depend on the successful balance between economic and social benefits and environmental projects