Modern University - An Arab Concept

Speech Delivered at the Commencement Ceremony of the American University of

Sharjah
By: the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University
The Arab world is on a threshold of information explosion, like the rest of the Asian
countries. They are experimenting with new ways to bring back the days of past glory.
The memories of Cordoba are fresh in the minds of modern Muslim. Many attempts
are being made to rejuvenate the broken spirits so that a new generation is brought up
to face the modern challenges. But very often, this task has brought about unnecessary
bloodshed among many nations. Cultural revivalism is becoming a nightmare for
many.
But the world saw a different kind of revival when the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge
university spoke at the graduation ceremony of the American University of Sharjah.
History was made when the British Vice Chancellor described, on the sands of
Sharjah, the legacy of Arabian learning.
"It was the Spanish Muslims who first thought about the concept of university.
Cordoba University was the result of such thought. Today's universities are following
the example of Cordoba. The first model of Cordoba was set up in France. Such
institutions spread across Europe."
- Dr. Sir Allama Iqbal
He said: "The buildings we see around today which have been carefully crafted by
His Highness enshrine the idea of those memorable centuries of skill and tradition."
It was the with the single- minded efforts of of the Legend of Arabia, Dr. Sheikh
Sultan, that the world re-affirmed its gratitude for the contribution made by the Arabs
and world of Islam.
Dr. Roderick French, the Chancellor of AUS, said while welcoming the Cambridge
Vice Chancellor, who worked in IBM as Electrical engineer and manager and is
presently known as an innovative academic administrator,
"His leadership at Cambridge has become a model for the successful adaptation of
traditional institutions to the rapidly changing contemporary world. AUS has been
fortunate indeed to enjoy his support and advice as a trustee."
Speech by Cambridge Vice Chancellor
By western standards, Cambridge is one of the oldest universities among the half
dozen that survives. If we look back 8 centuries ago when Cambridge began, we find
ourselves at the end of Roman Empire; the soldiers withdraw from England in that
year. There is little or no connection between our university and the classical Greek or

Rome. More plausible scholars say that it was the legacy of the Islamic schools of
learning.
It was the changing philosophy, natural science, and mathematics, Medicine that far
outshines anything that was found in Europe. It has been argued that modern
university is an Arab invention. For instance, the Islamic institutions of learning gave
the source of the idea of calling together student from many lands more important
still is the universal validity of qualifications as an Arab concept. Equally certain is
that Mathematics derives from Arabic roots. Anyone who tries to solve arithmetic
using Roman numeral will see what I mean. The great tradition of natural science
founded on Mathematic on which Cambridge is pre-eminently known in Science and
technology would not have been possible without the Arabic tradition.
From Mathematics, the Arabs gained expertise in Astronomy and navigation, which
laid the foundation of systematic sea travel. From the study of medicine, the Arabs
were centuries ahead of Europe. The buildings we see around today which have been
carefully crafted by His Highness enshrine the idea of those memorable centuries of
skill and tradition.
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qassimi under whose guidance,
Sharjah has developed in a way that it is admired throughout the world, especially
through the learning of this university. Your Highness, May I wish you sincere
congratulations for what you have achieved".