Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah the University of Dubai (UD) and the Citi Foundation, celebrated today the graduation of 11 Emerati female students who completed the Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development. The completion of the 11th Citi-funded Diploma Program was sponsored by Citi Foundation as Citiís social investment arm. In addition, the graduation event which was held in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah was also supported by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, president of University of Dubai, thanked his highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi for his commitment to quality education and women issues. He added that ìhis highnessís vision on education as an important part of sustainable development at Ras Al Khaimah, has enabled young generations to pursue higher education at first class universities.î Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki stated that University of Dubai is also committed to quality education through its local and international accredited programs, adding that UD teaches entrepreneurship as a vital major of its Faculty of Business Administration. Mr. Karim Seifeddine heads Citi’s Public Affairs & Government Relations practice across the Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan (MENAP) region said that ìour commitment to this program is based on our belief that ìfemale entrepreneurshipî programs represent an enormous untapped source of economic growth, and job creation.î He added that Citi Groupís objective is to arm women with necessary skills to overcome business obstacles and to get involved in professional development by getting all needed access to business training, networks and information.î Seifeddine stated that Citi has evolved into an active corporate citizen in UAE with a particular interest in supporting financial literacy, business development, education, and entrepreneurship. Prof. Ananth Rao, Chief Academic Officer who represented UD during the ceremony said ìI know how we started this program in 2004 at UD as a JVFE (Joint Venture in Finance & Entrepreneurship) with the help of Citi Group, and how steadily it has grown over the last 11 years with the continuing support from the Citi Group and recently the alliance with Khalifa and ICT Funds. Over these years the JVFE project has been refined (as a part of continuous improvement) to provide the needed benefits to artisans and entrepreneurs in Dubai and Northern Emirates. I have had the opportunity to witness some fine products of these artisans and entrepreneurs. I am extremely pleased to know the growing trend in fulfilling our JVFE vision of providing an outlet to the potential skills and talent hidden in these artisans and entrepreneurs. ì