UAEU French Day Showcases Language & Culture
The Department of Translation Studies within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at United Arab Emirates University(UAEU) in collaboration with Institut Français, the French Institute at the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi, hosted the 3rd French Day at the new University campus in Al Ain. French Day was inaugurated jointly by H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, UAEU Vice Chancellor and H.E. Alain Azouaou, the French Ambassador in the UAE.
French Day began with a French breakfast offered by Paul’s Bakery, followed by the opening ceremony and a lecture by Mr Jean-Claude Daupeyroux, Economic Counsellor of the Ambassador about the economic relations between France and the UAE.
This lecture was then followed by a French cooking show offered by a French chef from the Mercure Hotel and a quiz about French culture was organized in the afternoon by Institut Français, followed by a lecture about Al Khaznah Tannery presented by Mr. Jean-Marie Gigante the general manager.
The excitement did not end there, the Alliance Française also organized a workshop about how to learn French the fast and fun way and this was followed by a talk given by Dr. Sophie Oudunot from Campus France Abu Dhabi who gave tips on how to study in France. Dr. Sophie Mery from the renowned French Institute CNRS also spoke about French Archaeology Research in the UAE, followed by a presentation by Dr. Catherine Macaire who elaborated on her collaboration in fashion design (abayas) with the famous Emirati fashion designer Mrs. Abeer Al-Suwaidi.
H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, stressed the importance of the scientific and cultural role in developing relations between the two parties and said "UAEU is keen to introduce its students to other cultures, so that they can get a global prospective on the world they live in. We organize such events annually to promote culture, science as well as student exchange.” Dr. Al Noaimi discussed the possible training of UAEU students at French organizations, universities and companies in France with the French ambassador during his visit, in order for students to acquire the required expertise and skills, as well as activating and developing a French Language course as a result of increased demand.
H.E. Alain Azouaou, commented during his opening speech that he was grateful to visit this outstanding campus in Al Ain, and hoped that French Day would help students to understand the customs, language, pedagogy and culture of the French people. He also praised the economic ties between the two countries and stated that both countries share common values and traditions.
While the French minor offered by the Translation Studies Department at UAEU is an unprecedented craze among the students, the organization of the French Day aims to consolidate this success with the prospect of transforming the existing French minor to a fully-fledged French major in the coming years. The learning of French is becoming increasingly popular on campus and a number of students have already received internationally recognized DELF diploma A1 and A2, which will be an asset in their future career.
The CHSS wished to thank their main sponsors, Paul Bakery, Mercure Hotel, Chaloubgroup with Ush and Woop Boutique, Apple / Etisalat, Atout France, Al Khazna Tannery, Air France, Faces, St Dupont, Paris Avenue and Lacoste Parfums.
