The role of the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in promoting understanding of Scotland’s multicultural society was recognised by Dundee City Council’s social work department yesterday.

The department signed a memorandum of understanding with the institute as part of the authority’s commitment to building partnerships with all higher and further education institutions in the city.

The signing will also bring multicultural training opportunities for social work staff.

“Our partnership with the Al-Maktoum Institute recognises the unique and important role that the institute’s work has,” said social work convener Councillor Helen Wright, also a member of the council of the institute.

“The institute’s commitment to working in partnership with local communities is helping to promote a greater understanding of multiculturalism.

“I hope that the memorandum of understanding will build a further bridge to greater understanding of multiculturalism and enhance the role of the institute as a place of learning and academic excellence in Dundee.

“I am pleased the social work department is playing its part in translating the institute’s multicultural vision into practice.”

The signing was also welcomed by Al-Maktoum principal and vice- chancellor Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding with the social work department is another example of our commitment to the citizens of multicultural Dundee,” he said. “We look forward to building upon the early initiative with the social work department to establish and develop links with staff and services in Dundee.”