THE FOUNDING principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee’s Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies announced last night that he will step down from his position for one year.

Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi made his shock announcement at an anniversary dinner for the Dundee centre, which welcomed around 100 prominent individuals from Dundee and Scotland.

Professor El-Awaisi, who is a leading advocate of multiculturalism as the only way to beat extremism, said he would leave the institute on August 1, in order to pursue new academic and cultural priorities on an international level.

He said the institute, which is a research-led institution, had successfully established itself in the city with an agenda to study Islam and Muslims.

He added, “Scotland should be proud of what we have established and achieved here in Dundee and the positive impact it’s having at both national and international levels.

“I am honoured to have been involved but now, as the institute is well established with an innovative and creative new agenda and mission and with an excellent management structure in place, I am ready to pursue new academic and cultural priorities at the international level.”

The professor said, “Although I will continue to have a very strong link with the institute here in Dundee, I am anxious to explore certain options, including the possibility of offering my expertise to the Scottish Executive, the UK Government and The British Council. I am also looking forward to continue working with academic colleagues in both western and Muslim worlds to face the challenges and opportunities of a diverse and multicultural world in the 21st Century.”

Professor El-Awaisi has just returned from the 2007 International Academic Symposium, where he won backing for his call for the institute to be emulated in the Arab Muslim world in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. He told delegates an Arab-based institute could promote multiculturalism and cultural engagement to help combat world extremism.

Last night, Mirza Al-Sayegh, chairman of Al-Maktoum’s board praised Professor El-Awaisi’s “unique and dynamic leadership” and Lord Elder, the institute’s chancellor, presented him with an award for innovation for his work.

Professor Malory Nye, deputy principal for academic affairs, will be acting principal from August.