GE Lighting has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American University in Dubai (AUD), to nurture local design talent in architecture and interior design, covering both the student community and industry professionals. In addition to a planned Design Council that will share industry information with students, the MoU also envisages the creation of short-term courses for industry professionals by drawing on GE Lighting’s industry insights.

GE Lighting will also support a professionally designed ‘light experience laboratory’ at AUD, which will feature the most-modern range of lighting systems including its advanced LED solutions that are environment-friendly and contribute to significant energy savings. In addition, the laboratory will serve as a platform to host industry seminars and short-term professional courses.

Agostino Renna, President & CEO of GE Lighting Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Dr. Lance de Masi, President of AUD signed the MoU.

GE Lighting will draw on the extensive industry experience and knowledge base of its US-based Lighting Institute to develop the content for the short courses for students and professionals. It will also work with like-minded business entities to create a Design Council in Dubai, which serves as a repository of knowledge and conducts guest lectures for students at AUD covering the advances in lighting.

GE Lighting has a rich history in the Middle East having established long-standing business association with over 70 key partners over the past several decades. The company established its full-fledged team in the region 15 years ago, and today has several professionals driving the operations. Its distribution center in Jebel Ali, spanning over 1,375 square meters, serves as strategic hub for the company to further expand its presence in the UAE as well as strengthen exports to key markets in the Middle East and Africa.