Taken from AME Info, 27 July 2009

A student delegation from Zayed University met with the UAE Ambassador to Germany HE Mohammad Ahmed Al-Mahmood, at the UAE Embassy in Berlin, as part of the S.S. Lootah Group sponsored 'Innovation Culture Project', initiated to enable UAE students to explore the culture of innovation.

During the meeting, the Ambassador shared valuable insights into the economic, social and cultural ties between the UAE and Germany. He expressed his appreciation for the S.S. Lootah Group initiative, and stated that the visit of such delegations from the UAE is an important step towards strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations.

Fatma Lootah, Community Programs Manager, S.S. Lootah Group, said:
"Through such programs, we aim to provide our youth with a global perspective and empower them to think differently and contribute positively to society, in-line with the vision of the UAE leadership."

The students had the unique opportunity to investigate and study how innovation is sustained in Germany, including a visit to the 'Innovation Centre' at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Further, they visited the Senate chancellery, the Hamburg Harbour, the Hamburg Media School, Fraunhofer institute in Berlin, the Bundestag - the German parliament office and the Berlin Free University.

"We have acquired great insights from the trip about the role of innovation in the progress of a nation, not only in the economic and technological fields, but also in the historical and cultural evolution," said Maitha Mohamed Sulaiman, an Emirati student who was part of the delegation.

Germany is recognised as one of the world's three most innovative countries with Europe's highest patent registrations. Through such field trips, the students are provided an opportunity to learn from the culture of innovation and enhance their personal and professional development in the areas of leadership and sustainability, contributing towards a competitive knowledge economy.