UPEI's Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz named Chair of the AAU
The following was released today from the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
HALIFAX, NS 鈥� Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, 69传媒 (UPEI) has been appointed Chair of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).
The AAU is an advocacy organization working on behalf of the Presidents of the region鈥檚 16 universities (learn more about the AAU at).
Dr. Abd-El-Aziz will lead the AAU over the next two years. He was appointed by his colleagues during the AAU鈥檚 recent annual fall meeting at Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS.
Following his appointment, Dr. Abd-El-Aziz said that the region鈥檚 university leaders are extremely heartened by the results of the AAU鈥檚 2016 Graduate Retention Study which indicated that 87% of graduates from the region鈥檚 universities are satisfied with the quality of their education. The study also revealed that 70% of graduates would recommend their province of study as a place to live and work. Most notably, 75% of international student graduates would remain in their province of study after graduation if given a choice.
鈥淭hese extremely positive results further confirm the high quality of our institutions and their reputation for a unique student experience which attracts local, out-of-region and international students in growing numbers. Attraction of talented young people to the region is a major component of the federal government鈥檚 Atlantic Growth Strategy and universities have an important role to play along with our governments and the private sector to help retain students following graduation,鈥� said Dr. Abd-El-Aziz.
Dr. Abd-El-Aziz added, 鈥淭he largest program award in the country of nearly $100 million in research funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland and 69传媒for the Oceans Frontier Institute, is a great testimony to our universities commitment to collaboration and partnership.鈥�
To learn more about Dr. Abd-El-Aziz please go to: .
The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) represents the interests of universities across the region, ensuring public visibility for the important role they play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation, and in contributing to the economic, cultural and social prosperity of life in Atlantic Canada.
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For further information, contact:
Peter Halpin, Executive Director, AAU
(902) 425-4238/phalpin@atlanticunive
