Students share excitement as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits UAE University

Students of UAE University in Al Ain are ending their week on a high after a visit from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces visited the campus in Al Ain along with UAEU alumni Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, on Thursday.

"Today I visited UAE University: a national institution of education that goes back with us to our foundation years," Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said of the UAE's oldest university, on Twitter.

"It is the embodiment of the willpower of Zayed, who believed in education. It is a beacon of knowledge from which leaders, who influenced the nation’s journey, have emerged."

Notable alumni of UAEU include Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Amal Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council.

Sheikh Mohamed said the university, which was established in 1976, continues to graduate "national competencies".

"Education will always remain the gate through which we reach international prospects," he said.

Photos and videos of the Sheikhs, taken by excited students, flooded social media, bringing the hashtag #UAEU into the top trending list on Twitter.

The UAE leaders toured the campus, checking out facilities and speaking with students. A photo of Sheikh Mansour showed him controlling a camera in the media room.

"The university is illuminated. We are lucky with the visit of our Sheikhs to our university," said Mariam Al Raeesi, a geology student, on Twitter.

A video of Sheikh Mohamed interacting with a university robot "Shamma" was also shared online. The robot delivered a message of thanks to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince for his visit, while gesticulating with its electronic arms. Sheikh Mohamed responded by describing the robot as the future.

Arriving in a white SUV, cheers erupted from students as the Sheikhs moved from room to room, greeting students and asking them about their studies.

The Sheikhs were were also given a tour of the university's space science and technology centre, where Sheikh Mohamed was filmed making a joke to the students about going to space.

On his way out he spoke to some students, who had gathered outside to snap quick photos of him, asking them to send his regards to their families.