The American University in Dubai (AUD) is hosting 30 undergraduate students from the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi (UB), Milan - Italy, part of their Campus Abroad Program from January 23, 2010 to February 12, 2010.

Bridging the gap between east and west is one of the major goals of the External Relations Office at AUD and the driving force behind the many partnerships signed with world renowned universities in the US and in Europe for study abroad and exchange programs. AUD believes that, by travelling to a foreign country and experiencing new cultures and views, students are able to see the world from a different perspective, and that Dubai is the perfect destination.

Peggy Awad, External Relations Manager at AUD comments on the significance of setting up this type of program:

"Universities and employers across the continents are becoming increasingly attuned to the importance of inter-cultural communication and the strengthening of global views. In this regard, AUD is very enthusiastic about welcoming its partner school and is looking forward to hosting more of such programs at its institution. This is the beginning of many study abroad program trends that will ultimately contribute to the personal growth and enrichment of the students while they acquire first hand knowledge of other cultures, improve fluency in another language, gain a global perspective while better preparing for the professional realm".

The Bocconi University Campus Abroad Program (CAP) is offering its students the opportunity to explore the UAE, develop new insights and work on live case studies. The Program includes a 36 hours course on "Management of Cultural Institutions and Urban Creativity" taught by both UB and AUD Faculty.

"The Campus Abroad is a new initiative in the framework of the existing academic cooperation between Bocconi and the American University of Dubai, which dates back to 2006 when the Exchange Program agreement was signed. We are particularly proud of this program, which will allow our Faculty and our students to deepen their knowledge of the Emirates economic, cultural and artistic environment. In fact, we expect it to be not only a high-level academic program, but also an opportunity to experience and enjoy life in Dubai" comments Ms. Laura Candotti, Director, Markets & External Affairs Division, Università Bocconi.

Besides the main course, seminars and lectures on the political, economic, social/cultural environment of the UAE are scheduled and will be delivered by Professor Roberto Lopardo, AUD Chair of the Visual Communication Department and Dr. Feras Hamza, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Middle Eastern Studies at AUD.

Professor Lopardo will be lecturing about the basis for a cultural manager in the ‘West’ and then discussing how that individual with their unique abilities/responsibilities fits or does not fit into the traditional GCC cultural model. In his second lecture, he will be looking at what has been done over the last 10 years to import the Western tradition of the ‘management of culture’ to the UAE and to what degree of success has this transplantation been effective.

As for Dr. Hamza, he will be giving a seminar on Arab History, Culture, Politics, and Religion, providing the students with an overview of the Middle East, how it came to be as it is today, by highlighting some of the historical and religious developments within this cultural landscape, beginning from pre-Islamic times and ending in the 20th century.

CAP aims to create a bridge between the conceptual theories, methodologies and techniques taught in class and their application to real case studies in organizations, public institutions and business companies. As such corporate visits have been scheduled with leading companies in Dubai.

A full cultural program is also set up to familiarize the UB students with the UAE and its rich culture and history. Professor Lopardo will be assisting with the planned visits to various cultural enterprises in Dubai including the Empty Quarter Gallery at the Dubai International Financial Centre.