Representatives from DIAC meet with international counterparts at leading conference to share experience in developing a world class Islamic centre

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, April 5th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

A delegation from Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) recently visited Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to attend the World Halal Summit (WHS) 2015. Hosted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia (MITI), WHS brings together key Halal players from the industry, as well as certifiers, scholars, and academics.

The global Islamic economy encompasses a broad range of sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, fashion, media, and Islamic finance. It is estimated that over the next five years, global demand for halal products will increase by between 15% and 20%. In the UAE, we are also seeing this trend as according to a study by Thomson Reuters, Dubai’s Islamic market has a potential value of $6.7 trillion, bigger than both the US and China. Research by Dubai Chamber of Commerce revealed that the global halal food market is currently estimated to be worth $667 billion, and is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by 2018. Figures indicate that 20% of the current food trading around the world is halal, an increase from 16% in 2012.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of DIAC said, “We have the potential to develop a significant and substantial Islamic Economy, primarily by mobilising the vast number of student youth that currently reside in Dubai. On the industry side, the various sectors that make up our economy must lead the effort, and help to advise academic institutions on the courses, skills, qualifications required from graduates.

“Malaysia is home to one of the most developed Islamic economies in the world, and is therefore and ideal location for the World Halal Summit. The event provided an important platform to share industry best practice and insight between leading Islamic centres, helping to drive sector innovation on a global scale.”

DIAC is committed to creating synergies between its partners in order to identify and discuss the demands of industry. By providing training and knowledge development that is innovative and relevant for the future growth of both the country and this region – particularly in terms of Islamic economy growth, DIAC is playing an important part in the UAE Leadership’s vision of creating an innovation-led economy that will safeguard sustainable GDP growth.

- Ends -

Panelists in the picture:

Daud Vicary, President, INCEIF, Malaysia

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, Education Cluster of TECOM Business Parks, UAE

Hafiz Judge Mahomed, Vice President, Islamic Council of South Africa, South Africa

Rizvan Khalid, Executive Director, Euro Quality Lambs Ltd., UK

Notes to editors:

About Dubai International Academic City

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s largest Free Zone dedicated to Higher Education. Established in 2007, as part of TECOM Investments – a member of Dubai Holding – DIAC aims to develop the region’s talent pool and help establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy through the provision of multi-tiered academic institutions that are internationally accredited.

DIAC is located on a fully-appointed 18 million sq ft campus with state-of-the-art facilities. It is home to a large number of  universities from 10 countries, including Amity University, Heriot-Watt University, Michigan State University, University of Wollongong, BITS Pilani, Hult International Business School, Murdoch University, and Manchester Business School, to name a few.

DIAC provides more than 400 certificate, diploma, undergraduate, post graduate and PHD programmes to over 20,000 students of 125 nationalities.

Contacts

Harriet Daly,

Bell Pottinger

+971 55 4593260

hdaly@bellpottinger.com

TECOM Investments Education Cluster

Brendan Vyner

Brand Manager

+971 4 360 2960

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