AUD Hosts the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations 2013 for the First Time in the Middle East

More than 400 student delegates and 150 speakers from 54 countries participate

Dubai, 24th August, 2013. The American University in Dubai (AUD) and Harvard University are jointly hosting the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) for the first time in the Middle East. The ongoing 5-day student-run conference opened on Thursday with a ceremony at the Meydan IMAX Theatre. Prominent speakers shed light on the question of Asia's increasing impact on the world, supporting the theme “Extending Horizons: Charting Asia's Challenging Future”. The keynote speakers for the event were Dr. Lance de Masi, President of AUD; Abdul Basit Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai's Department of Economic Development mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise sector; and Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid, Former Chairman of Malaysia Airlines, Chairman of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, Dr. Lance de Masi, President of AUD, said: “The magic of HPAIR 2013 resides in the journey – the intellectual rigor, sincerity of expression and respect for controversy – that helps to shape leadership in thought and action.”

HPAIR 2013 is the fruit of joint efforts between the students of AUD and Harvard University. More than 400 student delegates have flown to Dubai from 54 different countries to participate in one of the largest annual student-run conferences in the region. Together, they partake in dialogue bridging global perspectives through plenaries, seminars, and workshops by more than 150 influential speakers from the Middle East and other parts of the world. For 5 days, the delegates engage in political, social, economic, cultural, and business issues.
“Involving youth in the development dialogue is critical to inclusive growth and sustainability. At Dubai SME we try to ensure youth participation in economic and social development through entrepreneurship promotion. We are particularly delighted to be part of HPAIR 2013 since it is being held in a region where a sizeable youth population is redefining growth strategies,” said Abdul Basit Al Janahi, keynote speaker at the conference and CEO of Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai's Department of Economic Development mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise sector.

In addition, HPAIR 2013 holds cultural and social activities, including tours of Dubai, a career fair, university day, gala dinner, international night, and entertainment night. A bidding information session for HPAIR 2014 will follow the event.

The panels and seminars are held at the American University in Dubai, Meydan IMAX Theatre and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. The Diamond sponsor for HPAIR 2013 is the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), who is facilitating the delegates' transportation and conference bus tours of traditional attractions in Dubai.

In its twenty-second year, HPAIR 2013 is the largest annual student-run conference in Asia, organized by Harvard University. The students of American University in Dubai had bid for the hosting the conference earlier in November and were chosen by the HPAIR committee as the hosts for 2013. Krisha Mehta, Executive Director for the AUD organizing committee in Dubai, expressed: “This is a very proud moment for the entire organizing committee and AUD. We feel honored to have this opportunity to bring such a prestigious conference to Dubai in its first venture into the Middle East.”

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

• AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.
• AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   
• AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).
• AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
• The university's undergraduate majors in Marketing Communications and Advertising have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.
• The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.