WAM Abu Dhabi, 15th May 2012 (WAM) -- Khalifa University announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL). The MoU will see Khalifa University and DUBAL cooperate in a variety of activities, including student sponsorships and internships, collaborative research projects, training and professional development and technical support.

The MoU signing was attended by senior officials from both Khalifa University and DUBAL.

"The relationship between Khalifa University and DUBAL will hopefully prove to be a long lasting and mutually beneficial one, as we work together to pursue our common interests," said Dr. Tod Laursen, Khalifa University's President.

"Khalifa University is dedicated to providing excellent opportunities for our students and faculty to conduct rewarding research projects, participate in exciting internships and professional development courses." Dr. Laursen added "Partnerships like the one between Khalifa University and DUBAL demonstrate Khalifa University's commitment to serving the country's development plans, and our dedication to providing our students with unique opportunities that will help them meet the future needs of Abu Dhabi, the UAE, the region and the world." Commenting on DUBAL's objective in signing the MoU, Mr. Abdulla Jassem Mohammed Kalban, President and Chief Executive Officer of DUBAL said, "DUBAL is built on partnerships with all our stakeholders. In this instance, our aim is to a sustainable partnership so as to ensure that the DUBAL brand reaches students prior to graduation and attracts them to join our national development initiatives - ranging from scholarships, through an internship or work placement opportunities to our graduate trainee programme. Not only does this allow DUBAL to invest meaningfully in the education of young Emirati students, but it also provides a strong pool from which to attract top talent to our company." DUBAL is entirely state-owned and was established in 1979 to aid in the diversification of the UAE economy by adding value to the country's oil-rich mineral resources. DUBAL is widely regarded as the industrial flagship of the UAE and one of the largest non-oil contributors to Dubai's economy WAM/TF