The University of Toledo will welcome His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash of the United Arab Emirates as keynote speaker for fall commencement Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. in Savage Arena.

Gargash holds two cabinet positions in the United Arab Emirates: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for the Federal National Council.

“The University of Toledo is honored that Dr. Gargash is able to visit our campus and speak to our graduates,” said UT President Lloyd Jacobs. “As a leader in a nation that has areas where UT also has intellectual strength — such as alternative energy — Dr. Gargash’s words will provide these new UT alumni with invaluable lessons as they seek careers in fields universally touched by sweeping global changes.”

UT will award Gargash the honorary degree of doctor of public service for his work in public affairs, economics and renewable energy, culture, and international leadership. Gargash will be accompanied by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Ali Al Mannaei, his chief of staff.

There are 2,132 candidates for degrees from the summer and fall semesters from 11 of the University’s colleges. There are 686 candidates for doctoral, education specialist and master’s degrees, as well as graduate certificates, and 1,446 for bachelor’s and associate degrees.

In the event severe winter weather requires commencement to be postponed, the ceremony would take place Sunday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. in Savage Arena.

The ceremony will be webcast live athttp://video.utoledo.edu.

During the recent uprisings in Arab countries in spring 2012, the UAE remained stable and Gargash was a leading voice in the region calling for peaceful transitions that could pull citizens out of poverty in many of the Middle East nations affected.

In an op-ed published in August, Gargash wrote, “In the UAE, we have been less affected by the events of the Arab spring, partly due to our economic success and partly due to the legitimacy of the political system. Throughout these difficult months, the UAE has continued to provide its citizens and residents (including hundreds of thousands of Arabs) with a secure and stable livelihood and an opportunity to prosper economically and to thrive socially.”

In addition to his cabinet portfolio, Gargash holds the positions of:

• Chair of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking;

• Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai School of Government;

• Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Al Owais Cultural Foundation;

• Deputy chair of the Permanent National Committee for Demographic Structure;

• Member of the Ministerial Legislative Committee; and

• Member of the Dubai Economic Council.

Gargash attended The University of Toledo and ultimately graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University, where he also earned a master’s degree. He received a doctorate in political science from King’s College, Cambridge, in the United Kingdom.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Dec. 16, 2012)

Tags: Commencement, Graduation