Hamdan bin Mubarak, Australian Minister of Trade and Investment sign

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Andrew Robb, the Australian Minister for Trade and Investment, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of policies with respect to higher education, vocational education and training, research and the opportunities for citizens of each country to study in the country of the other. The MoU stipulates the development and setting up of professional reference standards to improve and facilitate the recognition of qualifications and accreditation, make the necessary arrangements, and the strengthening of arrangements for the transfer of any courses between institutions in both countries, as well as to identify opportunities for the development and strengthening of the bonds of cooperation between them. The MoU also stipulates the exchange of information in areas of mutual and common interests such as systems and standards of higher education, vocational education and training, and research applied in the two countries, along with teaching materials, curricula, standards and accreditation systems and designations of grades awarded to assist in the interpretation and evaluation of scientific degrees, diplomas and certificates. The MoU aims to boost bilateral trade, investment and cultural relations between Australia and the Arab region. – Emirates News Agency, WAM