H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has emphasised that “an investment in education is an endeavour with life-long returns”.
This statement was made during his visit to Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, where he met with the university’s leadership and students. The visit was attended by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, and Mariam Alshamsi, UAE Consul-General in Guangzhou.
H.H. Sheikh Saud said, “Investing in the education of future generations is an endeavor with life-long returns, shaping the path towards greater prosperity and development. This path will be determined by the quality of education delivered to our younger generations, as a university education provides the knowledge and insight that is essential for the advancement of humanity, and for achieving the kind of growth and prosperity we seek in the UAE.”
I hope that this visit to Sun Yat-sen University can be the catalyst for greater collaboration between higher education institutions in Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong.”
The public research university, ranked among the top 100 universities globally and 5th in China, hosted H.H. Sheikh Saud and his delegation on the first day of a four-day visit to Guangdong Province. The visit includes cultural engagements, business meetings, and the signing of a cooperation agreement between Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong Province.
Spread over five campuses, Sun Yat-sen University has over 67,000 full-time students and a faculty of over 18,000. It has an existing partnership with Gulf Medical University in Ajman and, in June this year, it signed an agreement with UAE University to support scientific research in clean water and energy-related fields.
With a population of over 126 million people, Guangdong has the largest economy of any province in China, with a GDP of $1.9 trillion (AED6.98 trillion) in 2023. It is a major manufacturing hub, with electronics, automotive, textiles, pharmaceuticals, high-tech industries, finance and real estate making up some of the key sectors.