March 16, 2024
President of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), Dr Mohammad Abdullah, recently paid a visit to Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, where he talked with XJTLU leadership about possible future collaborations.
Dr Mohammad Abdullah talks with Professor Youmin Xi
Located in Dubai, the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation offers multidisciplinary design degree to foster creative thinkers, designers, and innovators.
Dr Abdullah was shown around the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) and the SIP campus, especially XJTLU Design School, and met with Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU; and Professor Stuart Perrin, Chief Officer of Ecology. He said that the research-led and student-centred education of XJTLU aligns well with the vision of DIDI.
From left to right: Professor Stuart Perrin, Dr Mohammad Abdullah, and Professor Alvaro Collar
Dr Abdullah said: “The most important thing towards collaboration is having people who speak the same language and have the same approach. At DIDI, we teach students the abilities of critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation, which are what I’ve been hearing a lot during my visit at XJTLU.
“We’ve already started the collaboration with XJTLU with two short courses, and we hope to take the partnership forward in the future.”
Dr Mohammad Abdullah with staff from XJTLU Design School
Professor Xi said that XJTLU is searching for more opportunities to develop collaborations and partnerships in different parts of the world.
“The Middle East would be one potential site for XJTLU to cooperate and develop something new, and the vision of DiDi is in line with our philosophy about future education,” he said.
By Yi Qian and Precious Chibeze
Photos by Jingrui Duan, Elena Pilyugina, and Shuyang Xu
March 16, 2024